Income Tax exemption of activist Harsh Mander’s NGO cancelled
New Delhi: The Income Tax Department has cancelled the registration of the Aman Biradari NGO, founded by human rights activist Harsh Mander, under s. 12A of the Income Tax Act. This revocation means the organisation will no longer be exempt from paying income tax, Mander told Scroll on Wednesday.
Mander stated that the tax authorities had first issued a notice regarding the cancellation three months ago, to which the NGO responded about one-and-a-half months back. However, he added that the department’s order did not address any of the points raised by the organisation to explain its stance.
The department cited two primary reasons for the cancellation. First, it alleged that Aman Biradari failed to provide the permanent account numbers (PAN) of certain individuals who donated to its crowdfunding drive during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Mander, the funds collected through the drive were used to provide food for underprivileged people during the pandemic. He claimed that the NGO was not legally required to provide PAN details at that time.
The second reason cited was that creating communication material on interfaith harmony was not among the stated objectives of the NGO when seeking exemption under s. 12A. Mander, however, stated that interfaith harmony was clearly listed as one of the objectives of Aman Biradari.
Despite the order, Mander affirmed that the organisation would continue its activities. “We have worked with many violence-affected individuals, including survivors of the 2020 Delhi violence and the ethnic conflict in Manipur. We will not let this hinder our work,” he said.
Aman Biradari is described as a campaign for a secular, peaceful, just, and humane society. In March, the Union Home Ministry recommended a CBI investigation into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by the NGO. Earlier in February, the CBI filed an FIR against Mander and the Centre for Equity Studies, another trust linked to him, for alleged violations of FCRA norms.
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'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
