Shrouta Vijnan Gurukulam Vs ITO (Exemptions) (ITAT Bangalore)
ITAT Bangalore held that propagation of vedic thoughts and philosophy is not religious activity but are more concerned with the life style of the human beings and therefore is eligible for approval under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
Facts- The assessee is a Trust formed on 05.04.2013. The Trust was formed with the main object of teaching, imparting and spreading knowledge of vedic education. The assessee at the first instance was granted registration u/s. 12A r.w.s. 12AA of the Act and approval u/s. 80G of the Act vide Orders dated 24.02.2015. Thereafter, assessee applied for provisional registration u/s. 12A of the Act in Form 10A (applicated dated 11.09.2021). The CIT(E) granted registration u/s. 12A of the Act in Form 10AC (order dated 02.10.2021). Assessee had filed an application for approval u/s. 80G of the Act in Form No.10AB vide its application dated 26.09.2023. The said application was rejected by the CIT(E) by holding that the objects of the Trust and activities of the Trust are religious in nature and hence not entitled to approval under section 80G of the Act. The CIT(E) held that assessee has not fulfilled the condition stipulated in clause (iii) to section 80G(5) of the Act. Being aggrieved, the present appeal is filed.
