Plea In Madras High Court Alleges Fraudulent Fund Collection Through NaMo App, Seeks Action Against BJP Leaders

A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking probe into alleged donations sought by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through NaMo App and website. The petition, filed by BR Aravindakshan, a resident of Chennai, alleged that the party has cheated countless members of the public to make donations through the app for the Union Government's schemes, when in reality the funds were collected for the party.Action has also been sought against party's former National President JP Nadda and the Chief Complaints Officer of the Namo App, Amit Malviya."We have been enticed in to a scheme, by the dishonest but sweet-coated online propaganda and digital operations. The public fund collected unauthorisedly and fraudulently using government patronised public welfare schemes, amounts to amassing illegal wealth for the BJP," the petition states. The petitioner states that he had come across the social media posts made from the handles of JP Nadda announcing a “special micro-donation campaign” and appealing the public to make donations that would empower the party. He submits that the links provided for the donation had made him believe that the contributions were linked to the BJP and various union government schemes. The petitioner further submitted that on 25th December 2021, he also came across social media posts from the handle of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for similar donations. He submitted that on perusing the user interface of the app, he believed that by donating through the app, he was directly contributing towards government welfare schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Kisan Seva. The petitioner further stated that upon making donations, he received email receipts from the Central Office of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which showed that the funds were collected by the party office. The petitioner further submitted that he had filed RTI applications to verify the legality of the practice and to see if the Union Government had permitted any NGOs or individuals to raise funds for the schemes. He submitted that the RTI reply received from various departments made it clear that the no such provision existed which permitted fund collection by any individual person or NGO. The petitioner further stated that when he sought details regarding the functioning of the Namo app and how the official app of the Prime Minister was used to raise funds for a political party and government schemes, he received a reply that the information was not part of record. He thus submitted that it was clear, from the RTI replies, that the NaMo app and website were not official government platforms, despite being extensively used to publicise the activities and appeals of the Hon'ble Prime Minister and Union Government schemes. The petitioner thus argued that the party persons had criminally conspired by joining minds for the common motive of raising illegal funds for the party. It has been submitted that the party and its officials have used the names of government-sponsored schemes, creating an illusion as it the are authorised to raise funds and enticed members of the public to contribute, thereby amassing an unlawful wealth for the party. He further submitted that the party and its men have committed cognisable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act, and the rules relating to political party funding. The petitioner has thus sought a direction to the CBI or the Commissioner of Police, Chennai to register an FIR and initiate legal action against the party, JP Nadda, Amit Malviya, and all others involved in the NaMo app special micro donation online scandal. As an interim direction, the petitioner has also sought direction to the party and its men to submit the entire account of funds collected through the app under the special micro donation campaign and to restrain them from operating the app and connected website till the disposal of the plea. Case Title: BR Aravindakshan v Union of India and Others Case No: WP 36311/2026 (Filing Number)

Plea In Madras High Court Alleges Fraudulent Fund Collection Through NaMo App, Seeks Action Against BJP Leaders

Upasana Sajeev

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