‘Check PM CARES Fund Too’: CJP Counters RTI Activist as Audit Disclosure Row Rekindles Transparency Debate
A political exchange over the overseas education expenses of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has widened into a broader debate on transparency after CJP leaders challenged an RTI activist to also question the lack of recent public audit disclosures by the PM CARES Fund. The controversy has brought together two separate issues—scrutiny of private finances and demands for greater public accountability in institutions handling significant public donations.
The latest flashpoint began when Surat-based RTI activist Amit Tiwari sought an investigation into how Dipke’s higher education in the United States was financed, questioning whether his family’s declared financial background was consistent with the cost of overseas studies. Tiwari also called for scrutiny of the CJP’s funding and the legal status of its proposed legal defence fund.
Responding to the allegations, CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur accused the activist of selective scrutiny, remarking that he should also examine the PM CARES Fund, adding sarcastically that “Modi ji will forgive you.” Her comments quickly shifted public attention from the allegations against Dipke to the long-running debate over transparency surrounding the emergency relief fund.
Dipke himself rejected the allegations, stating that his education in the United States was financed through a scholarship from Boston University along with an education loan. He said he was prepared to produce documents supporting his claim and argued that public figures should be judged on evidence rather than speculation.
The political exchange coincides with renewed criticism of the PM CARES Fund after activists pointed out that audited financial statements have not been publicly released since the financial year 2022–23. While previous audited reports were made available, updated financial statements for subsequent years have yet to appear on the fund’s official website, prompting fresh calls for greater financial disclosure.
The Union Government has consistently maintained that PM CARES is a public charitable trust financed entirely through voluntary donations and is not a “public authority” under the Right to Information Act. Consequently, it is audited by an independent chartered accountant appointed by the trustees rather than by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The government has argued that the trust complies with applicable legal requirements despite not being subject to RTI disclosure obligations.
Transparency advocates, however, contend that the fund’s association with constitutional offices, its use during national emergencies, and the large volume of public contributions justify more frequent and proactive publication of audited accounts. They argue that timely disclosure would strengthen public confidence, reduce recurring controversies, and align with widely accepted governance practices for charitable institutions handling substantial public funds.
The ongoing controversy illustrates how debates over financial transparency are increasingly extending beyond individual political figures to encompass public institutions and charitable trusts. While questions surrounding Dipke’s education expenses and the PM CARES Fund arise from different legal and factual contexts, both have fueled wider discussions about accountability, disclosure standards, and the importance of maintaining public trust through transparent financial reporting.
