Societies Registration Act, 1860

[Act No. 21 of Yr. 1860]

Contents
Sections	Particulars
1	Societies formed by memorandum of association and registration
2	Memorandum of association
3	Registration and fees
4	Annual list of managing body to be filed
5	Property of society how vested
6	Suits by and against societies
7	Suits not to abate
8	Enforcement of judgment against society
9	Recovery of penalty accruing under bye-law
10	Members liable to be sued as strangers
11	Members guilty of offences punishable as strangers
12	Societies enabled to alter, extend or abridge their purposes
13	Provision for dissolution of societies and adjustment of their affairs
14	Upon a dissolution no member to receive profit
15	Member defined
16	Governing body defined
17	Registration of societies formed before Act
18	Such societies to file memorandum, etc. with Registrar of Joint-stock Companies
19	Inspection of documents
20	To what societies Act applies

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, [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 :-