ThePrint ThePrintAM: Why has MHA cancelled FCRA license of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO?
Sep 26, 2025
The podcast dives into the controversy surrounding the cancellation of an NGO's FCRA license linked to Sonam Wangchuk. It highlights allegations of foreign funding violations and discrepancies in financial records. The host explores a substantial cash deposit's origin and its connection to unrest in Leh. Wangchuk's defense includes claims about bus sale proceeds and misplaced local funds. The discussion illuminates the complexities of NGO funding and the Ministry's scrutiny of potential financial misconduct.
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Why The FCRA Licence Was Cancelled
- MHA cancelled SECMOL's FCRA licence citing receipt of foreign funds used for a study on sovereignty and reporting divergences.
- FCRA licences are five-year permissions and can be revoked if funds are used in ways the ministry deems prohibited.
Wangchuk's Bus Transaction Explanation
- Sonam Wangchuk says he deposited Rs 3.5 lakh into SECMOL's FCRA account linked to sale/exchange of an old bus and later gifted a new bus.
- He describes the licence cancellation as a punishment despite his claim that funds were left with the NGO for their benefit.
Discrepancy In Financial Records
- MHA found discrepancies between SECMOL's annual financial statements and its show-cause response about the Rs 3.35-3.5 lakh entry.
- The ministry flagged the entry as possibly cash received in violation of FCRA rules since no corresponding credit appeared in the FCRA bank account.