The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Aligarh resident Jasim Mohammad for allegedly establishing and running the “Centre for Narendra Modi Studies” (CNMS) without government permission in violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

Acting on a complaint from the Prime Minister’s Office, the CBI registered a case on October 24 after an extended preliminary inquiry. Officials report that CNMS purported to research and promote national policy, featuring BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on its website, but was not authorised nor affiliated with central or state authorities. Amid extensive scrutiny, both legal and academic dimensions are under the spotlight.​

Genesis of the CBI Investigation

The matter surfaced in April 2025, when the Prime Minister’s Office received a complaint from a local Aligarh advocate, prompting the CBI to launch a preliminary inquiry. Documents revealed CNMS was registered as a trust by Jasim Mohammad in January 2021, under the Indian Trusts Act, without seeking required government or PMO approval.

The centre operated as a non-profit academic entity in Tehsil Koil, Aligarh, and soon rebranded as “Centre for NaMo Studies” while maintaining similar activities. After the agency sought and received permission from the Rouse Avenue District Court in Delhi, the CBI acted swiftly to register a formal FIR against Mohammad.​

Allegations, Statements, and Public Response

CBI officials indicate that the centre’s operations may have misled the public into believing it had government backing due to its use of the Prime Minister’s name, images, and other official symbols. The CNMS website asserted itself as a hub for global leaders and thinkers to discuss the nation’s challenges, and Kangana Ranaut was noted for compiling and editing volumes of PM Modi’s speeches for its publications.

Following the FIR, CNMS issued a statement defending its transparent registration process and denying any intent to deceive: “All processes were completed transparently and in good faith.” Investigators are now examining CNMS’s wider network and links, with reports suggesting Mohammad has connections to other figures previously implicated in high-profile cases.​

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This incident stands as a cautionary tale for civil society on safeguarding the integrity of national emblems and names. While independent policy centres and research initiatives enrich democratic debate, their legitimacy relies on absolute transparency and respect for established legal frameworks.