Anushka Sharma –
Published On: October 13, 2021 at 11:00 IST
The Bombay High Court directed the Centre to reply to a petition which seeks to delete Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name and photo from the PM CARES Fund’s official website.
A Division Bench comprising Justices AA Sayed and SG Dige was hearing a Public Interest Litigation in the said matter. It was filed by a Congress Party member, Vikrant Chavan.
The Petition before the Court further seeks the deletion of PM Modi’s photo along with images of the national flag and the emblem of India from the Trust’s official website
The Petitioner has submitted that the issue violates several Constitutional provisions and also stands in the violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act.
The Petitioner has submitted that the Trust was set up in March 2020 as a Public Charitable Trust which sought to extend support for public health emergencies or calamities.
The fund entails voluntary contributions which can be made by any individual or organization which does not get budgetary support from the Government.
The above-mentioned contribution would be exempted under the Income Tax Act.
The PIL added, “The trust does not discharge any governmental or sovereign functions. It is an admitted position that the trust is not a Government of India fund and the amount collected by it does not go to the Consolidated Fund of India,”
The matter will be heard on October 25 and the Bench has directed Additional Solicitor Anil Singh, who represents the Centre to respond to the plea.
Also Read: PMO to Delhi HC: PM-CARES does not Belong to Indian Govt