The Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge sheet against Rana Ayyub. The charge sheet has been filed in a Ghaziabad court on charges of money laundering. UP Police had filed an FIR against the journalist in 2021.
Rana Ayyub had collected funds from public through fundraising platform called Ketto. According to officials, Rana collected money from general public for social campaigns. ED has filed case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Ayyub had started three campaigns. One for slum-dwellers and farmers during April-May of 2020. Second, during June-September of 2020 to help in relief work for Assam, Bihar and Maharashtra. Third for people suffering from COVID-19 in May-June 2021.
General public donated Rs. 2.69 Crores, including 80.49 from overseas in foreign currency. Income tax department initiated an enquiry against her under Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA). Subsequently, Rana returned returned this part of money.
According to ED, she used only 29 lakhs for relief work. At the same time she transferred 50 Lakhs to her personal account. For another amount of 50 Lakh, she raised a Fixed Deposit in her name.
In February, ED had attached Rs 1.77 Crore with Rana Ayyub, including the above mentioned Fixed Deposit. As per ED officials, Rana has submitted fake bills to claim expenses for relief work.
Rana Ayyub had started the above mentioned campaigns with the sole intention to cheat the general public. She acquired Proceeds of Crime in the form of FD and balances in bank accounts projecting them as untainted.
She has failed certain expenditures and the reasons for not utilising the donors money for stated purpose. Ayyub used part of the money for personal expenses, including a vacation.
ED Officials
Rana Ayyub had released a statement earlier this year regarding the allegations.
It is abundantly clear that no part of the relief campaign fund remains unaccounted for, and there is absolutely no scope for any remote allegation of misuse of the funds for personal expenses. Such allegations are preposterous, mala fide and belied by the record, and are a deliberate misreading of my bank statements.
Rana Ayyub