Societies Registration Act, 1860

[Act No. 21 of Yr. 1860] An Act for the registration of literary, scientific and charitable societies Whereas it is expedient the provision should be made for improving the legal condition or societies established for the promotion of literature, science, or the fine arts, or for the diffusion of useful knowledge, l[the diffusion of political education], or for charitable purposes; Comment: Charitable purposes which came within the language and spirit of the statute of Elizabeth (43 Eliz ch 4) could be grouped into four heads, (i) relief of poverty, (ii) education, (iii) advancement of religion and (iv) other purposes beneficial to the community not coming under any of the preceding heads. The words in Act 21/1860 are, therefore, to be understood as including religious purposes also. Hindu Public v. Rajdhani Puja Samithee AIR 1999 SUPREME COURT 964 It is enacted as follows: