SWAMI DEVANAND BHARAT BHAKTI YOGASHRAM TRUST, BHUPATWALA HARIDWAR & ANOTHER Vs. PRESCRIBED AUTHORITY/SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE & OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner no. 1 is a trust i.e. Swami Devanand Bharat Bhakti Yogashram Trust, Haridwar and petitioner no. 2 is the Secretary of the said Trust. The petitioners have challenged the order dated 25.04.2016, which has been passed by respondent no. 1, who is the Prescribed Authority (Sub Divisional Magistrate, Haridwar) under the Societies Registration Act.

(2.) From the perusal of the impugned order as well as from the rival submissions of the parties i.e. the petitioners as well as the private respondents, the facts as they emerge before the court are that a Society by the name of Swami Devanand Bharat Bhakti Yogashram Trust, Haridwar was formed and registered with the Registrar, Societies, Chit and Funds in the year 1974 with its Registration No. 508 of 1974-75, way back in the year 1974-75. The objects of the Society are as follows:-

(3.) The purpose of the Ashram has also been stated in the memorandum of the Society, such as, to provide a residence for disciples of Swami Devanand who wish to attain Bhakti, and for teachings, guidance and thoughts of Swami Devanand. It is also for the benefit of those who wish to dedicate their lives to the service of their fellow human beings. The trust provides free of charge basic education, reading, writing and basic arithmetic, to the local poor children of this country, who would otherwise remain illiterate. Further extension of this programme is intended up on availability of funds and staff, etc.