The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at the residence and office of prominent climate activist Harjeet Singh, sparking a major controversy in environmental circles. The raids, which took place on Monday, January 8, 2026, targeted Singh's Ghaziabad home and the office of his non-profit organisation, Satat Sampada.
Allegations and Arrest in Excise Case
The federal probe agency alleges that Singh's organisation, Satat Sampada, was "suspected" of receiving foreign funds to "run narratives to influence government policies in the energy sector." In a significant development during the search, the ED claimed to have recovered 45 litres of "unlicensed liquor." This led to Harjeet Singh's arrest in an excise case on Monday. He was, however, granted bail and released the following day, Tuesday.
In a strong rebuttal, Singh and his wife, Jyoti Awasthi, who co-founded Satat Sampada, have categorically denied all charges. In a statement issued on LinkedIn by Satat Sampada, they termed the allegations as "baseless, biased and misleading." The statement emphasised their full cooperation during the ED search, providing all relevant documents and evidence.
Who is Harjeet Singh? A Climate Veteran's Profile
Harjeet Singh is no ordinary activist. With a career spanning two and a half decades, he is one of the most recognisable and respected figures in global climate negotiations. His work has primarily been with non-governmental organisations, including past associations with giants like ActionAid International and the Climate Action Network.
Unlike activists known for street protests, Singh's method has been one of engagement and advocacy. He has been a regular fixture at the UN-mandated annual climate change conferences (COPs), representing NGOs with official observer status. His role has often been that of a bridge-builder between different negotiating blocs, facilitating crucial backroom discussions on contentious issues.
An articulate speaker, he frequently serves as a spokesperson for NGO coalitions. Media outlets worldwide seek his balanced and nuanced analysis. He is particularly known for being a vocal critic of developed nations' inaction on climate change and a champion for the causes of developing countries and small island states.
The Fossil Fuel Treaty and Scrutiny of Foreign Travel
The ED's focus appears to be sharply on Singh's advocacy related to energy policy. The agency specifically highlighted his association with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) initiative. This campaign seeks an international treaty, modelled on the nuclear non-proliferation pact, to halt the expansion of fossil fuel use. The ED contends that adopting such a treaty could "severely compromise" India's energy security and economic development.
Furthermore, the probe agency has put Singh's recent travels to Pakistan and Bangladesh under the scanner. Responding to this, Satat Sampada's statement clarified that his international travel over the past twenty years has been strictly professional. It was for participating in climate conferences and forums where he represented the concerns of developing nations and highlighted India's progress in renewable energy.
Harjeet Singh's expertise is most notably in the area of "loss and damage." For years, he worked tirelessly to keep this issue alive on the global stage when it had little support from wealthy nations. His persistent advocacy bore fruit at the COP28 in Dubai in 2023, with the establishment of a landmark Loss and Damage Fund to aid developing countries recover from climate disasters. Singh was deeply involved in the background work that created this framework.
As the legal process unfolds, this case has brought the often-overlooked world of climate policy advocacy into sharp focus, raising questions about the line between influencing policy and alleged violations. Singh and Satat Sampada have reiterated their commitment to full cooperation with the authorities while defending their professional integrity.
