Overview

• The Supreme Court dismissed the Union government’s appeal against the June Madras High Court ruling directing renewal of the NGO’s FCRA registration.
• Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta questioned the basis for refusal, noting no finding of misappropriation, and told the government not to harass the organisation.
• The Madras High Court had examined sealed-cover material, found no instance of diversion or abuse of funds, and ordered renewal under Section 16 within four weeks.
• The Centre cited alleged violations of Section 7 over inter‑NGO transfers, which the respondents argued were not barred before the 2020 amendment requiring prior permission.
• The case concerns the Ellen Sharma Memorial Trust and a sister NGO, whose registrations last renewed in 2016 were refused in December 2021 despite renewal applications filed in February 2021.