The Enforcement Directorate is suing the BBC for irregularities in foreign funds

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a lawsuit against the BBC India below Foreign exchange management law (FEMA) for irregularities in foreign financing.

Official sources said the action was taken to investigate irregularities in foreign funding BBC India, misuse of funds and violation of rules under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).

The move comes after Income Tax carried out searches of the UK broadcaster’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai in February this year.

The broadcaster came under the radar of Indian agencies after the release of a controversial documentary, ‘India: The Modi Question’, which drew sharp criticism from the Indian government and tarnished the country’s image.

Following an investigation by the Income Tax Departmentthe ED had previously also sent a summons to the BBC, calling for an investigation into the matter.

An officer from the BBC’s administrative and editorial departments is being questioned here at ED headquarters.

The government in January ordered social media platforms to block YouTube videos and Twitter posts linking to the documentary shortly after controversy erupted.

The documentary, which questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, drew widespread criticism from the Indian government and various segments of the Indian public.

The BBC faced allegations of spreading fake news and propaganda, and the Indian government accused the broadcaster of trying to destabilize the country.

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