PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Thursday granted interim relief to the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media by staying the Centre’s order cancelling its FCRA registration. The Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes observed that prima facie the action was not supported by the grounds cited in the show-cause notice issued in November 2025. It has thus issued notice to the Union of India and the Director, FCRA, returnable on September 10, while observing that the appeal itself could be finally disposed of on the respondents’ appearance. “The show-cause notice does not state any grounds which are germane to clause (e) of Section 14 (of FCRA), in that there is no allegation that the Appellant society has not been carrying out any activity in consonance with its objects during the period mentioned in the notice... The perusal of the impugned order also does not disclose any reasons that are germane to clause (e) of Section 14, but cancels the certificate on the sole ground that the Appellants have not received foreign contributions during the particular period and have not conducted any activity for the use of these funds in consonance of its object,” it said.
The Court also took note of the appellant's contention that it was never granted a hearing before the cancellation order was passed, which it received through email on February 4, 2026. Considering these aspects, the Court held that the impugned order warranted a stay and granted ad-interim relief in terms of the appeal.
The Ministry’s show-cause notice on November 24, 2025 alleged non-engagement in reasonable activity for the benefit of society, followed by another notice on January 1, 2026. As per the application, the trust replied on December 31, 2025, but the Ministry cancelled its registration stating that it had failed to provide satisfactory justification for not receiving or utilising foreign contributions for three consecutive financial years. An appeal was then filed on March 25.
