The Ministry of Home Affairs has canceled the FCRA license of Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). This institution is associated with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The reason for cancellation is stated to be several violations of the FCRA rules. Fund has also been transferred from NGO’s bank account, which ED can also investigate under FEMA.
SECMOL was registered to receive foreign contribution to cultural and educational programs. On 20 August 2025, the show Cause notice was issued and a reminder was sent on 10 September. The institution responded on 19 September.
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Secmol was allowed to receive foreign contribution to cultural and educational programs. The registration certificate number 152710012R was issued to the institution. Under this, it was valid to accept foreign donations.
Home Ministry sent notice to NGO
The Ministry of Home Affairs found that the institution violated FCRA and related rules several times. Due to this, the ministry issued a show caus notice on 20 August 2025, in which the institution was asked why its FCRA license should not be canceled. This notice was reminded on 10 September. Secmol presented its reply on 19 September.
The Ministry of Home Affairs found the reply after investigating that the institution carried out several sections of FCRA, of which:
1. Local money deposits in FCRA account – In FY 2020-21, Rs 54,600 deposited by three persons was accidentally inserted into the FCRA account.
2. Do not give details of foreign donation correctly – In Fy 2021-22, the contribution of Rs 3.35 lakh from Sonam Wangchuk was not shown properly in the FCRA account.
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3. Other violations of FCRA rules – The institution did not present the appropriate account details even after receiving foreign donations.
On the basis of these violations, the Ministry of Home Affairs canceled the FCRA license of SECMOL. The ministry says that these steps of the institution are not correct as per the rules of FCRA and this is the misuse of foreign contribution.
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