Manushree Crowdfunding Row Deepens: Conflicting Claims Over Funds Trigger Demand for Transparent Accounting

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 2, 2026

Questions over the crowdfunding collected for the treatment of two-year-old Tripura child Manushree, who is suffering from a SMA type-1 serious medical condition, have intensified amid conflicting claims about the amount of money currently available in the family’s bank accounts.

The issue has gained fresh attention after Manushree’s father, Dhruva Chowdhury, reportedly gave different figures regarding the funds collected for his daughter’s treatment. The discrepancies have prompted donors, supporters and sections of the public to demand a transparent, government-supervised accounting of the crowdfunding proceeds.

According to information emerging over the past few days, Dhruva Chowdhury told West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, IAS on Monday that around Rs. 7 crore was deposited across four bank accounts associated with the crowdfunding effort. He also reportedly informed the district administration that a number of cheques had bounced, with the total value of those cheques being around Rs.17 crore.

However, in a telephone interaction with a social-media content creator on Tuesday, Dhruva reportedly said that the total amount currently available across all their accounts was Rs.6.25 crore.

The latest figure has further fuelled questions because another individual associated with the crowdfunding campaign, Raja Saha, a former BJP youth leader who has since been expelled from the party, had earlier given different estimates of the money collected.

Raja Saha had reportedly claimed that approximately Rs. 10 crore, including cash and bank deposits, was available. Just two days earlier, however, he had stated on social media that the amount was around Rs.8 crore.

With the figures apparently changing from Rs. 10 crore to Rs.8 crore, around Rs.7 crore and now Rs.6.25 crore, questions are naturally being raised over the exact amount collected, the money currently available, the amount spent so far and the status of the remaining funds.

Another major issue concerns the much-discussed figure of approximately Rs.16 crore reportedly expected or claimed in connection with the crowdfunding campaign.

Dhruva Chowdhury and Raja Saha has continued to blame sections of the media, social-media content creators and people of Tripura for what he says was the failure to raise or receive the entire amount through crowdfunding.

However, questions are being raised as to why the family or those coordinating the campaign have apparently not taken a clear initiative to seek assistance through the official crowdfunding mechanism associated with AIIMS/New Delhi, particularly if substantial funds are still required for Manushree’s treatment.

There are also questions about the total amount collected through different channels. Apart from bank transfers and cheques, money was reportedly collected in cash and through various UPI accounts. As of now, no consolidated public statement has apparently been made by Manushree’s family or Raja Saha detailing the total amount received through each of these channels.

The growing controversy is now shifting the focus from individual claims to the need for a complete and verifiable account of the crowdfunding campaign.

Many people who donated money for Manushree’s treatment, as well as those who helped mobilise funds, are reportedly demanding that the state administration take an initiative to establish the exact amount collected and spent.

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