Harassed for being outspoken: Mander’s NGO on ED raids

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

The board of Centre for Equity Studies which activist Harsh Mander heads reacted to ED raids on Thursday saying the organisation was being harassed for being outspoken and for passionately defending human Rights.

In a statement the CES board said, “The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been conducting raids at the office of the Centre for Equity Studies (CES), Umeed Ghar (Children’s Home), and Harsh Mander’s residence from 930 am this morning.

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This is a continuation of harassment and coercion of CES and Harsh Mander for being an outspoken and passionate defender of human rights. Over the last several months, the organisation has been subjected to raids, investigations, and inquiries by different government agencies including Delhi police, and NCPCR.”

The CES leaders said the NGO had cooperated with every government agency by providing all organisational details requested by the agencies, including balance sheets and other financial and programmatic documents.

“The entire set of organisational documents and records has been submitted more than once to the government agencies. CES is committed to cooperating with the ongoing raid and will provide any information needed by the ED. It is deeply distressing for the entire team of CES and this continued harassment has created hurdles in the path of our organisational vision of working for the poorest of the poor and most marginalised sections of society,” said the board.

Mander and his wife are away to Germany where Mander is on a nine-month fellowship.

Incidentally, the couple left only last night.