BBC probe finds six Indian parties took $180m in donations, fielded 15 candidates

September 16, 2026 at 04:39 AM2 min

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A BBC investigation found six little-known Indian political parties received about 17 billion rupees in donations in 2023-24 while fielding only 15 candidates in the 2024 general election. Tax authorities have been probing suspected misuse of such parties since at least 2022, citing 55.91 billion rupees in suspected bogus donations. The parties are among more than 2,800 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties that can receive donations and claim tax exemptions despite minimal electoral presence.

Key Facts

The six RUPPs examined by the BBC received about 17 billion rupees in donations in 2023-24.
They fielded just 15 candidates in the 2024 general election, and none came close to winning.
The Satyawadi Rakshak Party received more than 3.3 billion rupees in donations in the year ending March 2024.
An internal Income Tax department document identifies 55.91 billion rupees in suspected bogus political donations and 6.65 billion rupees in foreign transactions.
India has more than 2,800 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties that can receive donations and claim tax exemptions.

The Investigation

A months-long BBC investigation examined six RUPPs that reported some of the largest donations in 2023-24. Together, the six parties received about 17 billion rupees despite fielding just 15 candidates in the 2024 election. None of the candidates came close to winning. The BBC has not established that any of the six parties committed financial wrongdoing. In several cases, reporters found a striking gap between the organisations' records and what they encountered on the ground.

Satyawadi Rakshak Party

The Satyawadi Rakshak Party, based in Gujarat, received more than 3.3 billion rupees in donations in the financial year ending March 2024. Its accounts list 84.8 million rupees for election campaigning and more than 3.16 billion rupees for 'public welfare'. Party president Swati Ben Patel said the money was spent on charity but records were not maintained. The party fielded a single candidate in the 2024 general election, who lost his deposit. Its registered office in Anand, Gujarat, was locked and showed no sign of political activity.

Tax Authority Scrutiny

An internal Income Tax department document reviewed by the BBC shows officials have been investigating suspected misuse of RUPPs since at least 2022. The document identifies 55.91 billion rupees in suspected bogus political donations made by taxpayers seeking tax benefits. It also notes 6.65 billion rupees in foreign transactions and possible violations of tax, foreign-funding and election laws. None of the six parties examined by the BBC has been publicly named in these wider inquiries.