The license of Lawyers Collective, the NGO fighting the case against Section 377 in the Supreme Court, has been suspended by the NDA government for 6 months for alleged violations of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act ( FCRA). The NGO will not be able to receive any foreign funds during this time. Lawyers Collective has also fought various other high profile cases.
The Home Ministry order alleges discrepancy in the funds received by the NGO between 2006-07 and 2013-14. The order raises objections to the payments received by Indira Jaising from Lawyers Collective, who had served as Additional Solicitor General previously and was also the Secretary of the NGO. The order also raises questions over how travel expenses of Anand Grover were met. Further, the order says that Lawyers Collective organised rallies/dharnas and advocacy with MPs and media using the foreign funds, which was in violation of FCRA rules.
The Home Ministry has asked it to submit its reply within 30 days for violations of various provisions of FCRA, after which the registration of Lawyers Collective may be cancelled too.