Delhi HC asks Centre not to take coercive step against trust for non-filing of return under FCRA

Justice Rekha Palli issued a notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and asked it to respond to the petition.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre not to take any coercive step against a charitable trust, formed for upliftment of destitutes and leprosy patients, for not filing its annual return as mandated under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act due to purported technical glitches on the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Justice Rekha Palli issued a notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and asked it to respond to the petition, and listed the matter for further hearing on December 16. “Till the next date, no coercive action be taken by the respondent (MHA) against the petitioner (trust) for non filing of its return for the year 2019-20,” the court said.