India's RUPPs receive billions in donations amid scrutiny

Mayur Singh: Mayur Singh is a chartered accountant who prepared audit reports for several of the RUPPs examined in the BBC investigation. He acknowledged working with multiple parties but denied any wrongdoing in handling their finances. Gaurav Mishra: Gaurav Mishra is listed as president of the Aam Janmat Party following its reported relocation to Gujarat. He did not respond to repeated attempts by reporters to contact him regarding the party's finances and operations. Anamika Paswan: Anamika Paswan was the founding president of the Aam Janmat Party before resigning in 2022. She has since become a vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar state. Documents related to her departure from the party were provided by her husband during reporting. Shelly Mahajan: Shelly Mahajan is a researcher at the Association for Democratic Reforms, an election watchdog in India. She commented on the pattern of large donations to RUPPs that show limited electoral activity. Surender Tiwari: Surender Tiwari is the president of the Swatantrata Abhivyakti Party. He stated that he did not control the party's finances, which were managed by a chartered accountant who provided campaign funds. Swati Ben Patel: Swati Ben Patel serves as president of the Satyawadi Rakshak Party and resides in the residential complex listed as its headquarters. She stated that the party used donations for charity without maintaining detailed records. Her comments were given in the context of a BBC investigation into the party's finances and operations. Aam Janmat Party: The Aam Janmat Party is a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP) founded in Patna, Bihar, in 2020. Its leadership and operations have shifted over time, with its founding president later joining another party and the registered office moving to Gujarat. The party is highlighted in the news for a sharp rise in reported donations in recent years despite fielding just one candidate in the 2024 election and officials stating limited knowledge of its finances. Garib Kalyan Party: The Garib Kalyan Party is a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP) in India. Its registered office appeared closed during reporting, and family members of its president indicated limited involvement or awareness of party activities. The party is mentioned in the news for receiving substantial donations in 2023-24 while fielding only three candidates in the 2024 general election. Dharmendra Vaishnav: Dharmendra Vaishnav is the treasurer of the Aam Janmat Party. He stated that the party had shut operations and claimed no knowledge of its finances, directing inquiries to the president. Neeraj Kumar Kshatriya: Neeraj Kumar Kshatriya is the president of the Garib Kalyan Party. His family home was reportedly searched by tax officials, according to his mother, who had limited information about the party's activities. Satyawadi Rakshak Party: The Satyawadi Rakshak Party is a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP) based in Gujarat, India. It is legally registered to operate but has not won sufficient votes or seats for state or national recognition. The party is cited in the news for receiving large donations in the financial year ending March 2024 while maintaining a locked registered office with minimal visible political activity and fielding only one candidate in the 2024 general election. Tax Scrutiny: India's Income Tax department has been investigating suspected misuse of RUPPs for tax benefits since at least 2022. Donation Rules: RUPPs are permitted to accept donations and offer tax exemptions to donors, similar to larger recognized parties, which can create opportunities for regulatory gaps. Election Commission Action: The Election Commission has delisted hundreds of inactive RUPPs in recent years but cannot cancel their legal registration.