[ad_1]
The Income Tax Department has raided the premises of Kerala-based Believers Eastern Church, led by Christian evangelist Ok P Yohannan, after it was discovered that the Church was allegedly diverting charity funds for spiritual functions.
An I-T supply mentioned, “The raid started Thursday and remains to be on in Kerala and elsewhere within the nation. So far, we’ve recovered Rs eight crore in money from varied premises. Our motion remains to be going on.’’
I-T sources mentioned the Union Home Ministry had earlier cancelled the FCRA account of Believers Eastern Church after it was discovered that international funds initially obtained for charity functions have been diverted for spiritual wants. “The Church had obtained the international contributions by means of the right channels. But that they had diverted the charity funds for spiritual functions. Even after the cancellation of the FCRA account, the Church tried to get funds by means of different trusts,’’ a supply mentioned.
I-T officers mentioned they’re trying into transactions over the past ten years. The Church had obtained round Rs 4,000 crore over time and a bit of it had gone into building of establishments and actual property dealings, they mentioned.
“We, prima facie, assume that the Church had invested round Rs 1,000 crore in actual property growth. The funds for charity have been used for operating church buildings, which is a non secular function. As the raids are nonetheless on, we can not come to any conclusion in regards to the magnitude of the violations,’’ mentioned a supply.
Yohannan is the pinnacle of the Church, which is predicated in Thiruvalla in central Kerala.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
[ad_2]
Source