The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against an Aligarh-based individual for allegedly establishing a trust named the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies without obtaining prior permission from the authorities.
Officials familiar with the development confirmed the action on Monday, stating that the move follows a complaint from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The CBI named Jasim Mohammad, a resident of Dodhpur in Aligarh, as the accused in its first information report (FIR) registered on 24 October.
Officials filed the case under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, which prohibits unauthorised use of certain names and emblems for professional or commercial purposes.
According to officials, the trust had been operating under the name Centre for Narendra Modi Studies without the necessary consent from the central government or the PMO.
The act of associating a trust with the name of the Prime Minister was deemed a violation of the law governing the use of official names and designations.
CBI Probe Following PMO Complaint
The central agency initiated a preliminary enquiry (PE) in April 2025, following a formal complaint from the PMO.
A preliminary enquiry serves as a fact-finding process before registering an FIR.
The FIR stated that investigators found Jasim Mohammad had registered the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies on 25 January 2021 under the Indian Trusts Act, 1860, without prior permission from the central government or the PMO.
Officials added that the findings of the enquiry provided sufficient grounds to convert the matter into a regular case for investigation under the applicable law.
Before filing the FIR, the CBI sought permission from the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi, to proceed with the investigation.
The court granted approval on 14 October 2025, after which authorities formally lodged the FIR against the accused.
The investigation will examine how the trust was registered, what activities it carried out since its inception, and whether it served any personal, political, or financial interests.
Legal and Administrative Implications
The case underscores the central government’s vigilance in preventing the unauthorised use of names and symbols associated with high offices.
The Emblems and Names Act mandates prior permission for such use to protect the integrity and dignity of public offices.
As the CBI continues its investigation, officials indicated that further legal action may follow depending on the evidence collected.
The matter has drawn attention to the misuse of official names in trust and organisation registrations, an issue that authorities have been seeking to curb through stricter enforcement.
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