CBI books Arunachal activist Bhanu Tatak over alleged FCRA violations

The brief

Context

The CBI has filed an FIR against Bhanu Tatak, an Arunachal Pradesh-based lawyer and environmental activist, for allegedly receiving foreign funds in her personal savings account without FCRA registration or prior permission. Tatak is legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF) and coordinator of Dibang Resistance, groups opposing two large hydropower projects — the 12,500-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and the 2,880-MW Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project. The CBI probe was launched on the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which administers the FCRA. Tatak denies any violation and says she is cooperating with investigators.

Key facts

• CBI alleges Tatak received more than ₹17.6 lakh from foreign organisations and individuals directly into her personal savings bank account without FCRA registration or prior permission.
• The first FIR, filed on August 20, names Tatak and unknown persons, and alleges ₹20.94 lakh was received between 2022 and 2025 in her State Bank of India, Roing branch account through forex transactions.
• Alleged foreign sources named include Philippines-based Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy and Indigenous Peoples Rights International, Ireland-based Front Line and UK-based Human Rights Resource Centre.
• CBI launched the probe on the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs and conducted a preliminary enquiry before registering the FIR.
• The FIR alleges the funds were used to organise and sustain anti-dam protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project, adversely affecting economic and strategic interests.
• CBI alleges Tatak filed no income tax returns between 2017-18 and 2025-26 and made no declaration of the foreign funds.
• In September 2025, Tatak was stopped at Delhi airport from boarding a flight to Ireland under a lookout circular issued by Arunachal Pradesh police; she was to attend a three-month programme at Dublin City University.
• Tatak received the Bhagirath Prayas Samman Award, India 2023 for river conservation work, presented to her and Dibang Resistance at the 10th India Rivers Week at BAIF, Maharashtra, in November 2023.

Timeline

1. 2017-18 to 2025-26Period in which CBI alleges Tatak filed no income tax returns.
2. 2022 to 2025Period in which ₹20.94 lakh was allegedly received in her SBI Roing branch account through forex transactions.
3. November 2023Bhagirath Prayas Samman Award, India 2023 presented to Tatak and Dibang Resistance at the 10th India Rivers Week at BAIF, Maharashtra.
4. August 20CBI registers the first FIR naming Tatak and unknown persons, after a preliminary enquiry.
5. September 2025Tatak stopped by immigration at Delhi airport from flying to Ireland following a lookout circular by Arunachal Pradesh police.
6. December 2, 2025Tatak joins the Indian National Congress in Itanagar.

Who has a stake

• Bhanu Tatak — Faces a CBI FIR over alleged FCRA violations and non-filing of ITRs; says she is a law-abiding citizen who committed no violation and is cooperating.
• CBI — Investigating agency that conducted a preliminary enquiry and registered the FIR on the MHA's direction.
• Ministry of Home Affairs — Directed the CBI probe; the ministry administers the FCRA regime on foreign contributions.
• Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF) and Dibang Resistance — Groups Tatak advises or coordinates, opposing the Siang and Dibang hydropower projects; their funding and campaigns are under scrutiny.
• Arunachal Pradesh police — Issued the lookout circular that stopped Tatak from travelling to Ireland in September 2025.
• Named foreign organisations — Philippines, Ireland and UK-based entities cited in the FIR as alleged sources of the funds.
• Hydropower project proponents and affected communities — The 12,500-MW Siang and 2,880-MW Dibang projects face sustained local opposition that the FIR links to foreign funding.

Why it matters

The case sits at the intersection of FCRA enforcement, activism against large infrastructure projects and the state's invocation of economic and strategic interests. Its outcome will shape how individual activists — as distinct from registered NGOs — can receive foreign money for research, awards or campaign work in border states. It also raises questions about the use of lookout circulars against activists who have not been convicted.