►Enforcement Directorate raids properties of climate activist Harjeet Singh and his wife over alleged use of foreign funds to push anti-fossil-fuel policies.
►Singh was briefly detained and bailed, with investigations expanding to other activists and international travel scrutiny.
►Activists strongly reject allegations, saying their work supports renewable growth and global cooperation, not undermining India’s interests
Delhi NCR: Indian law enforcement authorities have launched a high-profile investigation into prominent climate activists, viz. Harjeet Singh, focusing on alleged misuse of foreign funds and campaigning against fossil fuels, authorities said this week.
Officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the central agency responsible for enforcing economic laws, carried out searches on Monday at the homes and offices of Harjeet Singh and his wife Jyoti Awasthi, who co-founded the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation and its associated company.
Singh, a well-known climate campaigner, was briefly detained and later granted bail by a local court in Ghaziabad.
The ED’s action is part of a probe into alleged foreign remittances worth roughly ₹6 crore that authorities claim were used to “run narratives to influence government policies in the energy sector.”
According to officials, these funds were linked to international climate networks and were allegedly directed toward promoting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT), an international campaign aiming to phase out exploration and use of new fossil fuels.
Government officials argue that adoption of such a treaty could pose legal and economic challenges, potentially affecting India’s energy security and growth, especially as the nation balances rapid energy demand with climate commitments.
Investigators have also said they are reviewing Harjeet Singh’s recent travel abroad and the funding behind those trips.
In a statement issued after the raids and court hearing, Harjeet Singh and his organisation rejected the allegations as “baseless, biased and misleading.” He said his work has focused on supporting developing countries in renewable energy transitions and has consistently praised India’s progress toward clean energy goals.
Singh, who has participated in international climate negotiations for over two decades, told the media that he had never tried to influence government decision-making and urged authorities to differentiate between advocacy and policy interference.
He also highlighted that Satat Sampada [ Nature Forever ] was started in 2016 using personal savings and loans, and its aim has been sustainable development and climate action.
The case has drawn attention to the space for civil society activism in India, especially after intelligence received during last year’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil reportedly prompted authorities to scrutinise activists seen as opposed to fossil fuel expansion.
Authorities said the investigation may expand to other individuals or groups whose climate campaigns could be viewed as “inimical to India’s energy security,” though no official list has been released.
During the searches, officials also claimed that liquor bottles were recovered from the premises. Authorities said the findings have been documented as part of the ongoing investigation, and further action will depend on the outcome of the probe.