HC quashes circular on names of charities, trusts

Circular prohibited the use of phrases like 'human rights' in the names of charitable trusts

- Urvi Mahajani

The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed a circular issued by the Charity Commissioner prohibiting the use of phrases on corruption for the names of charitable organisations and trusts, observing "Naam mein kya rakha hai" (What's in a name).

The 2018 circular prohibited the use of phrases like Bhrashtachar Nirmulan Mahasangh, Bhrashtachar Virodhi Andolan, Bhrashtachar Mukta Bharat, or Human Rights in the names of charitable trusts or organisations.

The circular also required existing trusts to remove these phrases from their titles, arguing that eradicating corruption was the government's responsibility.