New Delhi. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a fine of Rs 3 crore 44 lakh on the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) India. This penalty is imposed in the violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The investigating agency has also imposed separate fine of Rs 1.14 crore on three directors of BBC India. According to the ED, the BCC is broadcasting the news in India through digital media but did not follow the 26 per cent Foreign Investment (FDI) limit prescribed by the Government of India for digital media. The BCC maintained 100 percent foreign investment which is a violation of government guidelines.
Apart from the above 3.44 crore, the ED has also imposed an additional penalty of Rs 5000 per day till the date of compliance with the rules from 15 October 2021. The ED alleges that BBC World Service India directors Anthony Hunt, Indu Shekhar Sinha and Paul Michael Gibbons who were looking at the company’s charge, deliberately violated the FDI limit and maintained 100 percent foreign investment in the company. . Earlier in February 2023, the Income Tax Department went to the BBC India office and conducted a survey. After this survey, the Central Board of Direct Taxes had informed that it has found discrepancies in the investigation of documents in the BCC office.
On the other hand, in this case, the BBC says that no rules have been ignored on its behalf. According to a BBC spokesperson, neither the BBC World Service India nor its directors have received any order by the Government of India. If any order is received by the company, it will be reviewed and accordingly the company will consider taking the next step. According to the spokesperson, the BBC accepts the rules of whatever country works.
