Madras High Court dismisses zen meditation centre's FCRA registration challenge

The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition by Kanzeon Public Charitable Trust challenging the Union government's refusal to grant it Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration.

The court noted that FCRA registration is a privilege rather than a statutory right, and upheld the Centre's decision on national security grounds. The trust had approached the high court seeking relief against the denial of the certificate required to receive foreign donations.

The judgment reinforces the government's authority to deny FCRA registration based on national security considerations, even when organisations seek judicial review of such decisions.