India's Environment Activist Harjeet Singh Raided by Police Over Anti-Fossil Fuel Campaign
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's law enforcement agency, has raided the home of environmental activist Harjeet Singh and his wife Jyoti Awasthi over allegations that they were paid to promote a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. The ED claims that Singh and Awasthi, co-founders of Satat Sampada (Nature Forever), received £500,000 from foreign climate campaign groups to advocate for the treaty.
The investigation allegedly began after intelligence was received at the COP30 climate negotiations in Brazil last November. The ED has accused Singh of running Satat Sampada as a front organization, claiming that the company's primary activity is channelling foreign funds to promote the FFNPT cause in India on behalf of foreign influencer groups.
The agency claims that the treaty's adoption could expose India to legal challenges and compromise its energy security and economic development. However, Singh and Awasthi deny the allegations, stating that they started Satat Sampada with their own savings and loans secured on their home in 2016, and that the organization's consultancy and management services grew in 2021.
The investigation has also found a large cache of whiskey at Singh's home in Delhi, which is above legal limits. Singh was arrested and then released on bail after local police were informed by the ED officers.
Singh is a well-known figure in climate negotiations, having worked with international NGOs and climate campaigns for over two decades. The raids come as civil society organizations in India face severe pressures under the Narendra Modi government, with almost 17,000 licenses to receive foreign funding suspended and many organizations shutting down.
The case highlights the increasing scrutiny of environmental activists and their work in India, where the government has been cracking down on climate activism and opposition to fossil fuel projects.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's law enforcement agency, has raided the home of environmental activist Harjeet Singh and his wife Jyoti Awasthi over allegations that they were paid to promote a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. The ED claims that Singh and Awasthi, co-founders of Satat Sampada (Nature Forever), received £500,000 from foreign climate campaign groups to advocate for the treaty.
The investigation allegedly began after intelligence was received at the COP30 climate negotiations in Brazil last November. The ED has accused Singh of running Satat Sampada as a front organization, claiming that the company's primary activity is channelling foreign funds to promote the FFNPT cause in India on behalf of foreign influencer groups.
The agency claims that the treaty's adoption could expose India to legal challenges and compromise its energy security and economic development. However, Singh and Awasthi deny the allegations, stating that they started Satat Sampada with their own savings and loans secured on their home in 2016, and that the organization's consultancy and management services grew in 2021.
The investigation has also found a large cache of whiskey at Singh's home in Delhi, which is above legal limits. Singh was arrested and then released on bail after local police were informed by the ED officers.
Singh is a well-known figure in climate negotiations, having worked with international NGOs and climate campaigns for over two decades. The raids come as civil society organizations in India face severe pressures under the Narendra Modi government, with almost 17,000 licenses to receive foreign funding suspended and many organizations shutting down.
The case highlights the increasing scrutiny of environmental activists and their work in India, where the government has been cracking down on climate activism and opposition to fossil fuel projects.
! I mean, what's next? Will they be raiding everyone who participates in peaceful protests or awareness campaigns about climate change? 
The fact that Harjeet Singh was being paid £500k by foreign groups to advocate for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty is suspicious, but not proof of wrongdoing 
. He's been fighting for the environment and promoting sustainable energy for years! 
#JusticeForHarjeet #ClimateActivismMatters #FreeTheActivists 
Like, I don't know how I feel about this - I'm all for transparency and accountability, but isn't it also important to support people who are fighting for a good cause? 
I don't know what to believe anymore - I guess I need more info before I can make up my mind about this whole thing. 
these cops are just looking for a scapegoat now that india's getting roasted online about its climate change record 
harjeet singh is just trying to make a difference, but i guess the gov't doesn't want anyone stirring up trouble 
meanwhile, we should be talking about the real issue at hand: india's massive carbon emissions 
and not persecuting some eco-warrior who's just trying to save the planet 
he's just trying to raise awareness about the harm caused by fossil fuels and now he's being persecuted by the authorities? 
it's like, what's next? targeting scientists who study climate change or activists who protest against pollution? 
the government should be supporting environmental activism, not shutting it down with draconian laws 
and investigating people for doing their job 
just saying this is getting ridiculous... police raiding activists who are literally fighting for our planet's future over some money 
and these people have been doing this work for years without any complaints... meanwhile, the gov is just trying to silence them 
. anyway, did u know that India has a massive pollution problem & is home to 18 of the world's 20 most polluted cities? 
it's no wonder why environmental activists are under so much pressure 
(Source: WHO)
. The fact that Satat Sampada was raided because of allegations about foreign funding doesn't sit well with me either. Can't we just focus on the cause and not get bogged down in bureaucratic red tape? 
the ED is just trying to silence him & chill the progress India needs in climate action 
it's like they're trying to control every single environmental activist in India 
), and accused him of taking money from foreign groups... it's just so suspicious.
. The fact that they got raided over £500k (which is like, a tiny fraction of what the fossil fuel industry makes in a day) just shows how desperate the government is to shut down any opposition.
. It doesn't change the fact that Singh is being targeted because of his activism. I hope he can get through this ordeal without any more trouble