Delhi HC stays Income Tax proceedings against Oxfam India

The Delhi High Court has stayed the income tax reassessment proceedings against NGO Oxfam India. The court issued a notice to the Income Tax (I-T) Department and demanded its response to a petition filed by the non-profit organisation, challenging the notices and orders released against it.

A survey was conducted on the NGO Oxfam India on September 7, 2022, which led to the beginning of the reassessment proceedings for the fiscal year 2016-17 and a notice was issued to Oxfam on March 29 this year.

A bench of justices Rajiv Shakdher and Girish Kathpalia said, “A counter affidavit will be filed within the next six weeks. Rejoinder thereto, if any, will be filed at least five days before the next date of hearing. List the matter on November 22, 2023.”

It further said, “In the meanwhile, there shall be a stay on the continuation of the reassessment proceeding, till further directions of the court.” On 29 March, a notice was issued to Oxfam under the provisions of the IT Act which caused the reassessment proceedings against the petitioner on the grounds that the petitioner was allegedly engaged in litigation activities that were contradictory to Section 8(1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).