NEW DELHI: CBI has filed an FIR and launched a probe into an illegal funding network operated by US-based Christian missionary organisation, The Timothy Initiative, and its Indian leadership for allegedly using foreign funds to the tune of over 92 crore between Nov 2025 to April 2026 for missionary activities in violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.The agency’s probe has also revealed that the cash withdrawals were deployed across India to conduct training programmes, preaching, and the targeted indoctrination of economically marginalised groups, which,CBI said, fostered left-wing extremism.CBI kicked off the probe following directions and approval from MHA. Key individuals named in the conspiracy include India operations head Jonathan S Rajan, primary financial handler Micah Mark, Ajit Verghese Mathai, along with field operatives Varghese Chacko, Bablu Kurmi, and Supreme Joy.CBI alleged the syndicate conspired to systematically channel foreign funds into India without oversight.The FIR, registered on the basis of findings shared by ED, says that the syndicate circumvented formal banking channels by distributing over 1,000 foreign debit cards issued by the US-based Truist Bank across India. Operatives systematically withdrew physical cash from ATMs in states such as Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Assam.Investigators estimate that between Nov 2025 and April 2026 alone, the network illegally funnelled $9,995,240 into the country. This came in addition to an earlier illicit withdrawal of Rs 44 crore executed through identical ATM transactions between Jan 2024 and March 2026.The trail unravelled after agencies intercepted Micah Mark at Bengaluru airport on April 18, 2026. Mark was caught carrying 24 Truist Bank debit cards, all fraudulently embossed with the single alias “Santosh Kumar.”“This was allegedly orchestrated on the instructions of Ajit Verghese Mathai to bypass Know Your Customer mandates and conceal the identity of the real users. Investigations revealed Mark had made multiple overseas trips to bring back such debit cards. Following the raids, TTI USA attempted to tamper with evidence by blocking domestic access to its website (ttiglobal.org) and remotely wiping cloud servers with data stored on seized laptops,” the FIR says.
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This amounted to destruction of evidence as it happened even as search and seizure proceedings were underway, officials said.Rajan managed training logistics, trainer selection, and venue identification while submitting financial requirements to the organisation’s finance team to secure illegal overseas transfers. Field functionaries handled cash distribution after making regular ATM withdrawals.The I-T department carried out searches and seizures on the outfit earlier this year.
