HC notice to Centre on PIL seeking probe into church funds

The Kerala High Court Tuesday admitted a PIL seeking a detailed investigation by CBI or NIA into utilisation of foreign funds worth several crores by two state-based Christian organisations.

Kochi: The Kerala High Court Tuesday admitted a PIL seeking a detailed investigation by CBI or NIA
into utilisation of foreign funds worth several crores by two
state-based Christian organisations.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J
Chalameswar and Justice P N Ravindran directed the Centre to
file a counter within a week on the specific reference to the
action taken on the letter sent by the state additional chief
secretary on June 20, 2008 pertaining to the funds received by
the organisations.

Petitioner A M Varghese of Thiruvananthapuram sought a
detailed probe into the utilisation of funds by Gospel of Asia
and its head K P Yohanan and Believers Church of India.

According to the letter, Believers Church of India and
Gospel for Asia had received Rs 1,044 crore from Texas alone
for philanthropic purposes.

The state government had alleged that they have
`serious doubts` about the activities of the organisations and
had also raised doubts if they were utilising the foreign
funds for the purpose for which it was received.

This letter was on the basis of information collected
by the state intelligence.

PTI

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