The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India has recently registered a case against the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC)India arm. In a turn of events, the ED has accused the originally English media organization of violating foreign exchange norms.
The case has been filed under the backdrop of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). The drama began earlier this year in February, when surveys were conducted at BBC India offices, catching many off-guard. Seven employees including a director of the organization have been questioned by the ED. It has asked them to submit relevant documents as per reports.
As the investigation unfolds, the situation has taken on a life of its own. Documents are being demanded, company executives are being summoned for statements, and legal battles are ensuing, further adding to the perplexity. In a statement on Thursday BBC said, “We will continue to co-operate fully with the Indian authorities to ensure that we comply with all our obligations.”
Notably, BBC India is not the only organization to face the ED’s scrutiny. Several foreign companies have also been slapped with show cause notices by tax authorities, adding to the frenzy of accusations and speculations.
Adding fuel to the fire is the ongoing feud between BBC India and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party’s spokesperson, Gaurav Bhatia, has publicly called the BBC “the most corrupt organization,” adding another layer of complexity to the already tangled web of events. This comes just weeks after BBC aired a controversial documentary titled ‘The Modi Question,’ which had been blocked by the Indian government in January, calling it “venomous reporting.” The documentary had examined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the 2002 Gujarat riots
With allegations of foreign exchange violations, legal battles, and political tensions, the situation surrounding BBC India has become a perplexing affair. Additionally, under the BJP, the Enforcement Directorate also has come under increasing scrutiny for pursuing highly political cases.