ED attaches journalist Rana Ayyub's funds worth Rs 1.77 cr in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached Rs 1.77 crore belonging to journalist Rana Ayyub in connection with a money laundering case, officials said.

The case against Ayyub was filed after taking cognisance of a September, 2021 FIR of Ghaziabad Police (Uttar Pradesh) related to alleged irregularities in donor funds of over Rs 2.69 crore raised by her through an online crowd-funding platform called ‘Ketto’.

According to probe officials, Rana Ayyub had started three campaigns, which included funds for slum dwellers and farmers during April- May 2020, relief work for Assam, Bihar and Maharashtra during June- Sept 2020 and help for Covid-19 impacted people in India during May-June 2021.

Ayyub allegedly received donations to the tune of Rs 2.69 crore through three donation campaigns, out of which Rs 80.49 lakh was received in foreign currency.

Sources said the foreign donations were later returned by Ayyub as the Income Tax Department initiated an investigation as it was in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA).