Climate activist in ED probe arrested under UP excise laws

According to the ED, its probe and Monday’s searches at three premises in Delhi and Ghaziabad linked to Singh and the climate advocacy group he co-founded, Satat Sampada Pvt Ltd, are part of a wider investigation into suspected misuse of foreign funds to allegedly influence Government policies and undermine the country’s energy security.

According to police, Singh was arrested under sections of the UP Excise Act after a complaint was filed by the state’s Excise department in the early hours of Tuesday based on information shared by the ED that a large quantity of liquor was found at his residence in Ghaziabad.

“The said liquor is not valid for sale in the state of UP… it has been informed that the liquor found at Harjeet Singh’s residence is prima facie more than the capacity determined by the state government for holding liquor,” the FIR stated. Singh was later granted bail by a local court.

A globally recognised face in the climate sector, Singh has played a prominent role in international negotiations on behalf of observer organisations. He did not respond to calls and messages from The Indian Express seeking comment on the searches, the allegations, the arrest and the claims regarding his foreign visits.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the ED said it is examining Singh’s visit to Pakistan for the ‘Breathe Pakistan Summit’ last year as well as a trip to Bangladesh where he delivered a lecture at Sher-e-Bangla University allegedly without an official invitation, and met “various individuals unconnected to the stated purpose” of the visit.

The agency said that funding for these trips is under scrutiny as part of an ongoing probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

According to the ED, the searches were part of an investigation into “suspicious foreign inward remittances” of over Rs 6 crore received by Satat Sampada, where Singh’s wife Jyoti Awasthi is also a co-founder, between 2021 and 2025.

The agency said the funds were received allegedly under the “garb of consultancy charges” from foreign entities such as Climate Action Network and Stand.earth which, it claimed, had themselves received funds from NGOs such as Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

The ED alleged that cross-verification of filings made by the remitters abroad showed that the funds were intended to promote the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) within India.

Describing FF-NPT as a proposed international treaty aimed at phasing out fossil fuel production, the agency claimed its adoption could expose India to legal challenges in international forums and “severely compromise” the country’s energy security and economic development.

The FF-NPT is, in fact, an idea promoted mainly by civil society groups to establish an international treaty to stop the expansion of the use of fossil fuels that are the prime reason for global warming. The idea draws its inspiration from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

However, there is no formal proposal for FF-NPT under discussion at an official level, and no country has ever proposed such a treaty at any climate meeting.

The ED, meanwhile, has also alleged that Satat Sampada, which describes itself as an agro-based company promoting organic farming and marketing organic produce, was being used as a “front” to channel “foreign funds” for “foreign-influenced” activism.

According to the ED, the company had minimal consultancy revenue and was running at a loss prior to 2020–21, but turned profitable thereafter by booking foreign remittances as revenue from consultancy services and agro-product sales.

The ED has also alleged that Singh and Awasthi diverted funds received from foreign NGOs to their personal accounts for private use.

Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations. Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities: 1. Environment & Public Safety "Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans. "Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people. "At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital. "Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents. 2. Crime & Legal Developments "'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused. "After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement. "Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida. 3. Human Interest & Features "'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter. "How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city. Signature Style Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More

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