Karnataka High Court Quashes ED’s FEMA Proceedings Against Greenpeace Entities Citing Binding Precedent

In a major relief for the environmental NGO, Greenpeace, the Karnataka High Court has quashed the proceedings initiated against it by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED had accused Greenpeace and its related entities of not complying with the regulations governing the receipt and utilization of foreign funds. However, the High Court, after examining the case, found that the ED had not been able to make out a strong prima facie case against the organization. The court likely held that the transactions in question did not violate the provisions of FEMA or that the ED's complaint was not backed by sufficient evidence. The quashing of the proceedings brings an end to a long-standing legal battle for the NGO.