Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a Rs 3.44 crore fine on British broadcaster BBC for alleged violations of foreign exchange regulations, according to three government sources cited by Reuters.
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00:00We have some more breaking news that's coming in. The Enforcement Directorate has fined
00:10BBC India for rupees 3.44 crores. BBC fined over foreign exchange violations. ED investigated
00:17BBC under Foreign Exchange Act. Three directors have been fined 1.14 crores each. So the ED
00:25has levied a penalty of 3.44 crores on BBC India, 1.14 crores each on its three directors
00:31for FEMA violation. My colleague Shreya Chatterjee is joining us live on the broadcast for more
00:39on this. Shreya, give us more details on what exactly has happened here. Trouble has mounted
00:45for BBC India. The ED has fined BBC India. Give us more details on what really has happened.
00:50Well, absolutely. The Enforcement Directorate has in fact issued an education order, which
00:55is dated yesterday, against the BBC. And they have levied a penalty against them, which
01:01is more than almost 3 crores. Additionally, the fine will be 5,000 rupees per day ever
01:07since the 15th of October 2021. Now, this is because they had allegedly failed to comply
01:14with the FEMA. And this is as per the ongoing investigation under the FEMA violations. Additionally,
01:20the directors of BBC, which is Gils Anthony Hunt, English Aker Sinha, and Paul Michael
01:26Gibbons, each of them, they've actually been fined more than almost 1 crore each for their
01:33roles in overseeing the company during the time of the period of the contravention. This
01:38is actually preceding a show cause notice, which was issued on the 4th of August 2023
01:44to BBC and three of its directors following the contravention. So, this is an ongoing
01:50investigation as I said. BBC has meanwhile issued a statement suggesting that they are
01:55yet to get the education order. And when they receive the same, they will go through it
02:00and accordingly respond to the same. Absolutely, Shreya. Thanks for bringing us those details
02:04on that story. There is heat on the British broadcasting company, India, with the Enforcement
02:10Directorate having levied a penalty on the company, alleging that the company violated
02:15India's foreign funding law.