Indian law-enforcement agencies have carried out searches at the residence of one of the country’s most prominent environmental activists, triggering renewed debate over climate advocacy, foreign funding, and shrinking civic space in India.
Officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently raided the Delhi home of Harjeet Singh, a long-time climate campaigner, and his wife Jyoti Awasthi, co-founders of the sustainability-focused organisation Satat Sampada (Nature Forever). The agency alleges that the couple received close to £500,000 in foreign funds to promote the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT), a global campaign seeking to halt new fossil fuel exploration and gradually phase out existing production.
The ED, which functions under the Ministry of Finance and investigates financial and economic crimes, said the searches were conducted as part of an ongoing probe into what it described as “suspicious foreign inward remittances.” According to the agency, the funds were allegedly received under the guise of consultancy services and commercial activity but were instead meant to advance a climate policy agenda within India.
“Cross-verification of overseas filings indicates that the funds were intended to promote the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty in India,” the ED said in a statement, adding that some of the money originated from international climate-linked philanthropic networks.
Allegations Linked to Energy Security
Investigators argued that while the FFNPT is presented as a climate initiative, its adoption could have serious implications for India. “Its implementation could expose the country to legal challenges in international forums and severely compromise India’s energy security and economic development,” the agency claimed.
During the search, officials also reported finding a large quantity of alcohol at Singh’s residence, allegedly above permissible limits. Local police were informed, leading to Singh’s brief arrest before he was released on bail the same night.
The ED further stated that it is examining foreign travel undertaken by Singh, including visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh last year, and investigating how those trips were financed.
Activists Reject Charges
Singh and Awasthi strongly denied the allegations, calling them “baseless, biased and misleading.” In a joint statement, the couple said they were legally restricted from discussing details of the case but rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.
“We categorically state that the claims being reported misrepresent our work and intentions,” the statement said. They emphasized that Satat Sampada was founded in 2016 using personal savings and loans secured against their home, and that the organisation’s consultancy services expanded in 2021 after Singh left full-time employment to focus on sustainability work.
“His work and contributions are well documented across public platforms and media,” the statement added.
A Familiar Face in Global Climate Talks
Harjeet Singh is a well-known presence at international climate negotiations, including multiple UN climate summits, and has spent over two decades working with global civil society organisations focused on climate justice and development. He has previously been associated with major international advocacy networks and is regarded by supporters as a bridge between grassroots climate concerns and global policy discussions.
The FFNPT initiative, which Singh has publicly supported, has gained backing from several island nations vulnerable to climate change, along with global health bodies, international institutions, and lawmakers abroad. The campaign argues that limiting fossil fuel expansion is essential to meeting climate goals and preventing catastrophic warming.
Wider Context: Pressure on Civil Society
The raid comes amid broader concerns over the operating environment for civil society organisations in India. Over the past decade, thousands of licences allowing groups to receive foreign funding have been suspended or revoked, forcing many organisations to shut down or scale back operations.
An unnamed ED official, quoted in local media, said the investigation into Singh began following intelligence inputs linked to an international climate conference held last year. The official added that other activists “whose campaigns may be inimical to India’s energy security” were also under scrutiny.
Critics argue that such actions risk conflating climate advocacy with threats to national interest. Supporters of the government, however, insist that transparency and compliance with funding regulations are non-negotiable, especially when foreign money is involved.
Debate Over Climate, Sovereignty and Dissent
At the heart of the controversy lies a deeper question: where does climate advocacy end and political influence begin? The ED has accused Satat Sampada of acting as a front organisation, claiming that while it publicly marketed organic products, its primary activity was promoting international climate narratives in India.
The agency said the company’s financial turnaround after 2021 raised red flags, prompting closer scrutiny of how foreign funds were declared and utilised.
For Singh and his supporters, the raid represents something else entirely — an attempt to intimidate voices calling for a faster transition away from fossil fuels at a time when climate risks are escalating.
As investigations continue, the case has become a flashpoint in India’s ongoing debate over energy security, climate responsibility, and the shrinking space for dissent.
