CBI books Christian group for FCRA violations
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against the US-based Christian missionary group The Timothy Initiative (TTI), along with its India operations head Jonathan Rajan, financial head Ajit Varghese Mathai, and others. They are accused of using Rs 92.55 crore in foreign funds between November 2025 and April 2026 for missionary activities, allegedly violating the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. Agencies report that TTI lacks FCRA registration.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed the FIR after sharing its findings. Investigators say the accused withdrew cash from ATMs across India using foreign debit cards issued by the Truist Bank in the US.
This method allegedly bypassed the required FCRA process and the legal permissions needed to receive and use foreign contributions in India.
According to officials, the ED found that TTI distributed over 1,000 foreign debit cards in India in recent years. Investigators say the cards were given to people in India who were not the real account holders. They allege that cash from these cards was used for training, preaching, and what investigators call the “brainwashing of poor people.” Some activities are also said to be linked to Left-Wing Extremism.
The CBI case identifies Rajan as the head of TTI’s operations in India and Mathai as the financial head. Other people are also being investigated for allegedly helping with withdrawals, distributing cards, and moving money.
The ED said that while searches were underway, TTI in the USA deleted data from its servers remotely to destroy evidence. Officials said records from the organisation’s digital systems were erased after investigators arrived, making it harder to track the cards, withdrawals, and beneficiaries. The complaint states that this method was used between November 2025 and April 2026 to withdraw Rs 92.55 crore.
Investigators are also examining withdrawals over a longer period in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and other States.
The complaint alleges that using overseas cards for cash withdrawals bypassed FCRA rules and hid the identities of the people who received the money.
Searches earlier this year, based on ED information shared with the CBI, found foreign debit cards, cash, and digital devices. Officials say some cards had generic or coded labels, and that local associates made repeated ATM withdrawals in several states.
The case is still being investigated.
