The Enforcement Directorate has imposed a fine of £3.44 crore on BBC World Service India for alleged violations of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. Additionally, a daily fine of £5,000 has been levied, effective from October 15, 2021, as per agency sources.
Directors Giles Antony Hunt, Indu Shekhar Sinha, and Paul Michael Gibbons have individually been fined £1,14,82,950 each for their involvement in the alleged violations.
The Enforcement Directorate claims that BBC World Service India failed to reduce its Foreign Direct Investment to the required 26%, instead maintaining it at 100%.
The tax raids in February 2023 were reportedly conducted following a BBC documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the 2002 Gujarat riots.