Three First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in Maharashtra following complaints concerning donations allegedly collected through personal bank accounts in connection with an initiative referred to as “Tikvah Slum Ministry.”
According to a press release issued by the Harmony Foundation, the FIRs were registered at police stations in Vasai, Bhusawal and Miraj following complaints by individuals who said they had made or encountered appeals for donations to the initiative.
The complaints name Jimmy Joseph, a Navi Mumbai resident who describes himself as a pastor on social media. The complainants have alleged that donations were solicited using personal bank accounts and QR codes rather than an account held in the name of a registered charitable organisation.
One of the complainants, Johnson Dsouza, a resident of Vasai, said he approached the police after raising concerns about the manner in which donations were being solicited. According to Dsouza, appeals were circulated on social media platforms, including Facebook, with QR codes linked to personal bank accounts.
“The donations were allegedly collected without a registered trust and without transparency regarding the utilisation of funds. I felt it was important to bring the matter before the authorities so that the facts could be investigated,” Dsouza said.
The Harmony Foundation’s press release shared with The Times of Mumbai, states that similar complaints were made in Bhusawal and Miraj, resulting in separate FIRs. The complainants have requested an investigation into the collection and utilisation of the funds, including donations they allege were received from donors in India and abroad.
The complaints also raise questions about whether the fundraising arrangements complied with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. These are allegations made by the complainants and are subject to investigation.
Editorial Note: This article is based on publicly available FIR records and information attributed to the complainants and the Harmony Foundation. The Times of Mumbai does not make any judicial determination regarding the individuals mentioned and does not intend to defame any person or organisation. Any individual seeking clarification or wishing to provide an official response may contact the editorial team with verifiable documentation. The information is presented for journalistic and informational purposes.