Delhi High Court refuses to interfere with order permitting CHRI to withdraw ₹20 lakh

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (September 17, 2026) declined to interfere with an interim order permitting civil society organisation Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) to withdraw ₹20 lakh from its reserve fund to meet operational expenses, despite the cancellation of its FCRA registration.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia dismissed the Centre’s appeal against the May 19 order of a single judge, observing that cancellation of an organisation’s FCRA registration does not mean that it ceases to function.

The bench noted that the effect of cancellation was that the organisation could not receive foreign contributions. “Order was passed way back on May 19, 2026. Seek vacation of the order,” the court said, while disposing of the Centre’s appeal with liberty to approach the single judge for appropriate relief.