Government relief for Dwivedi in Zakir Naik NGO case

The Centre has decided to revoke suspension of a senior home ministry official G.K. Dwivedi, who was suspended following the renewal of FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 1976) licence of controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO, Islamic Research Foundation in September.

Mr Dwivedi, a senior IAS officer, was heading the foreigners division in the ministry as joint secretary, which is deals with all issues related to functioning of NGOs in the country.

Sources said a probe into the entire episode has not found any lapses on part of Mr Dwivedi, following which it has been decided to reinstate him. The clearance, sources said, was apparently given by junior level officers in the division concerned without bringing it to the notice of the joint secretary.

The home ministry placed four officials, including Mr Dwivedi, on suspension in September after it came to light that IRF’s FCRA licence had been extended for a period of three-years. The clearance came in wake of multiple intelligence agencies, both at the Centre and state, conducting investigations into the funding and activities of the IRF.

“Only Dwivedi’s suspension is being revoked as of now, while disciplinary action against other junior officers still stands,”an official said.

The joint secretary is being reinstated as the investigation has not found anything against him while the role of others in the lapse is being determined, he added.