Madras High Court has issued an interim stay on the cancellation of Greenpeace India’s registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
We are confident that we have a strong legal case to demonstrate that the MHA is acting without any justification. This is the fourth time we have had to seek legal recourse and the fourth time that we’ve had to legally challenge decisions of MHA (1).
— Vinuta Gopal, Co-Executive Director, Greenpeace India
Justice MM Sunderesh issued the temporary stay during the hearing of a case by the NGO against the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for cancelling the permanent registration of the organisation on September 2.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued a show cause notice to the NGO on April 9 under various allegations including irregularities in accounts and violation of FCRA regulations.
The NGO had responded to the notice on May 7, to which, the government had sought further clarification.
On September 2, the MHA cancelled the NGO’s permanent registration.
If the cancellation under Section 14 of FCRA, 2010, comes into effect, the NGO will not be able to accept grants or apply for re-registration for three years.
The NGO had challenged the move in the Madras HC.
Moreover, the court has also directed the organisation’s advocate to serve a notice to the MHA.
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