New Delhi

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), in collaboration with other security and financial agencies, has launched a preliminary investigation to identify Indian entities and individuals involved in receiving the now-scrapped USAID’s $21 million to influence voter turnout in India, official sources confirmed on Saturday.

NGOs, social workers, media outlets, and business entities are believed to be under scrutiny as the ED investigates possible violations of money laundering regulations in this trans-national conspiracy, sources added.

This probe follows statements from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which indicated that action would be taken based on information from the US administration regarding USAID’s interference in Indian elections.

"Relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing on Friday.

Meanwhile, BJP social media head Amit Malviya has raised concerns over the possible role of internationally funded events in India as a route for channelling the USAID funds. He also pointed to the Omidyar Network and George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, both part of USAID’s Finance and Investment Network, as key players in a larger scheme to influence elections in India.

Malviya further suggested that Indian security agencies had flagged the involvement of these organisations in funding anti-government protests in countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, especially ahead of regime changes.

“Omidyar Network funded events in Chennai on August 12, 2024, and in Delhi in January 2025, despite their website stating they ceased operations in India at the end of 2024,” Malviya posted.

The BJP has also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of involvement, citing his links with American investor George Soros and US politician Ilhan Omar, known for their anti-India stance.

BJP National Spokesman Gaurav Bhatia called Gandhi a “traitor,” accusing the Gandhi family of colluding with foreign forces like Soros to overthrow Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the Biden administration’s motive behind spending $21 million through USAID to influence Indian elections. "Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected," Trump said at the FII Priority Summit in Miami on Thursday, India time.

Earlier, Trump supported the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) decision to cancel the $21 million grant for the "voter turnout in India" project. On February 16, DOGE announced the cancellation of several foreign assistance programmes, including the India voter turnout project, which was deemed unnecessary or excessive.

ALSO READ: Kashmir's pioneer trucker Rabiya has driven to half Indian States

The department also axed similar grants for other countries, such as $29 million for "strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh" and $20 million for "fiscal federalism" in Nepal.

Questions are also being raised about USAID’s role in Bangladesh during the Biden administration, particularly in relation to the ousting of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina last August. All USAID aid programmes in Bangladesh have since been suspended.