Prominent climate campaigner Harjeet Singh was taken into custody by the Uttar Pradesh excise department on Tuesday for allegedly possessing liquor beyond legal limits at his Ghaziabad residence. This arrest followed closely on the heels of extensive searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a day earlier, probing suspected violations of foreign exchange laws linked to his organization.
ED Raids Uncover Liquor and Financial Trail
The federal agency executed searches on Monday at multiple locations connected to Singh, his wife Jyoti Awasthi, and their company Satat Sampada Pvt. Ltd. (SSPL) in Delhi and Ghaziabad. The operation was carried out under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). During the raid at his Ghaziabad home, officials reportedly discovered Indian and foreign-made liquor stocks exceeding the permissible limit of Uttar Pradesh state law, estimated to be around 45 litres.
The ED shared images of premium brands like Chivas 12 and Glenmorangie in its press release. This information was promptly passed to local excise authorities, who seized the liquor and subsequently arrested Singh for contravention of the state excise act.
Allegations of a "Front" for Foreign-Funded Narrative
The ED's investigation alleges a deeper financial misconduct behind the facade of an organic farming business. According to the agency, SSPL, which projects itself as an agro-based company marketing organic produce, primarily acted as a conduit for foreign funds. The probe claims the company's real purpose was to channel overseas money to run campaigns in India promoting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) on behalf of foreign influencer groups.
The agency stated that the financial records of SSPL show a stark turnaround. Before the 2020-21 fiscal year, the company operated at a loss with minimal revenue. Post-2021, after receiving foreign remittances exceeding Rs 6.5 crore, SSPL turned profitable by booking these inflows as revenue from "consultancy services" and "agro-product sales." The ED alleges that Singh and Awasthi, shareholders of SSPL, diverted funds received from foreign NGOs to their personal accounts for private expenses.
Scrutiny on Foreign Trips and National Interest
The probe has also cast a spotlight on Singh's international travels. The ED is investigating his visit to Pakistan in February 2025 to attend the 'Breathe Pakistan Summit' and the individuals he met there. Furthermore, his trip to Bangladesh in December 2025, coinciding with reported anti-India protests in the neighbouring country, is under scanner. The agency noted he delivered a lecture at Sher-e-Bangla University without an official invitation and met various people unconnected to the stated purpose. The source of funding for these trips is being examined.
The ED contends that while the FF-NPT is presented as a climate initiative, its adoption could potentially expose India to legal challenges at forums like the International Court of Justice and compromise the nation's energy security and economic development. The agency is investigating whether the activities funded by the foreign remittances were against national interests.
Ongoing Investigation and Lack of Response
The ED claims that the Rs 6 crore in remittances were received by SSPL between 2021 and 2025 as "consultancy" charges from entities like Climate Action Network (CAN) and STAND.EARTH. These entities, in turn, are said to have received substantial funds from prior reference category NGOs such as Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Cross-verification of filings by the remitters abroad indicated the money was intended to promote the FF-NPT agenda within India.
The agency's statement concluded that the investigation into the full extent of the FEMA violations, the financial trail, the role of the foreign funding entities, and the activities of the company directors is ongoing. A PTI email sent to the accused seeking their response on the charges did not elicit any reply.
