Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Aug 14: The High Court has granted interim relief to two prominent diocesan organisations in Goa by staying orders cancelling their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration certificates.

The relief was granted to the Diocesan Society of Education and the Diocesan Centre for social Communications media, which had challenged the cancellation orders in appeals against the Union of India.

The organisations argued that the principles of natural justice had been violated as they were not served a hearing notice under Section 14(2) of the FCRA before the cancellation orders were issued. They also contended that they were not given adequate opportunity to present their case.

The High Court observed that the certificates were cancelled on the ground that the organisations had not received foreign contributions during a specified period and had not utilised such funds for their activities.

The Court noted that Section 14(1)(e) of the FCRA permits cancellation if an organisation becomes defunct or fails to undertake reasonable activity in its field for two consecutive years.

However, the Court emphasised that the provision does not require a society to continuously hold an FCRA certificate, receive foreign contributions or utilise foreign funds, provided it continues to function using its own resources in accordance with its stated objectives.

The Court also noted that no certified copy of the cancellation order had been formally issued to the appellants. Instead, they received the order through email on February 4, 2026.

Finding that the appellants had established a prima facie case, the High Court held that the impugned cancellation order warranted a stay.

Accordingly, the court granted ad-interim relief to the two organisations and issued notices to the Union of India and other respondents.

The matter has been listed for September 10 for further proceedings and final disposal of the appeals.