INDIA:The Madhya Pradesh police today filed a case against social activist and founder of the ‘Narmada Bachao Aandolna’ Medha Patkar and 11 others for allegedly misusing around ₹ 13 crores collected in the name of education of tribal children. The complainant also alleged that the money collected by the Narmada Navnirman Abhiyan trust was being used in funding anti-nationalist activities. Patkar is the trustee of the Narmada Navnirman Abhiyan trust
The activist has negated the allegations and said that the complainant is a member of the student wing of the ruling BJP’s ideological mentor the Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Patkar went on record saying, “We have used the money to help people generate livelihood and will keep doing it. We have been charged with such allegations in the past as well. We do not accept CSR funds, however, it was only once when we accepted it from a Nandurbar collector and we have already registered the audit for the same.”
The First Information Report, or FIR, was filed under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code in the Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh.
A complainant named Pritam Raj Badole has registered the FIR alleging that Medha Patkar deceived people by projecting herself as a social worker who feels the pain of the underprivileged. The work to provide primary-level education to the tribal children of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra is just a facade.
Meanwhile, the activist refuted the allegations against her and said that while she has not obtained any official notice from the police, she was ready to answer any charge that have been levied against her.
Patkar stated, “We have the audit report available for every question regarding the financial status. We won the case against the Delhi Lieutenant Governor as we do not accept foreign money and always audit our bank accounts. Even in the future, we will keep answering and putting forth the evidence. The complainant is a member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and is connected with RSS.”
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