Charity Commissioner, Worli — What the Office Handles

The Office of the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra is at Dharmaday Ayukt Bhavan, Sasmira Marg, Worli, Mumbai. It is the head office for the state, and the Joint Charity Commissioner, Greater Mumbai Region also sits there for matters arising within the city.

What the office does

It maintains the Public Trust Register for the state, and administers the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950 — registration of trusts, change reports, sanction for dealing with trust property, enquiries into the conduct of trustees, and the accounts and audit of registered trusts.

Proceedings commonly brought here

• Registration of a public trust
• Change reports on a change of trustees or trust property
• Sanction to sell, lease or otherwise deal with trust property
• Enquiries into the conduct of trustees

See also Charity Commissioner proceedings for a fuller account of the law.

Jurisdiction of the Charity Commissioner’s office at Worli

The office of the Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra at Worli, Mumbai handles registration, change reports, Section 36 sanctions and related proceedings for public trusts and societies based in Mumbai. Matters are typically first taken up at the Deputy or Assistant Charity Commissioner level within this office before any appeal or revision.

Matters commonly handled at this office

• Registration of new public trusts and societies (Section 18)
• Change reports for existing trusts (Section 22)
• Applications for previous sanction to deal with trust property (Section 36)
• Filing of annual accounts and audit reports (Sections 33/34)
• Revision applications under Section 70A, to be filed within 120 days of the order under revision

Preparing for a visit to the Worli office

Most routine filings for trusts in Mumbai are now made online on charity.maharashtra.gov.in, and the physical visit is usually for a hearing, an inquiry, a certified copy, or a document verification. A few points help avoid repeated visits.

• Check the online record first: the trust’s Schedule I entries on the portal should match the last accepted change report before a new report is filed.
• Carry originals and copies: the registration certificate, trust deed, the latest change report order, resolutions, identity proofs of trustees and the acknowledgement of the online filing.
• Authority to appear: a trustee appearing for the trust should carry a resolution or authority letter, and a representative should have a signed vakalatnama or authority.
• Hearing notices: a notice of hearing states the date and the officer’s court. If a trustee cannot attend, a written request with reasons is made before the date, since an inquiry can proceed in the absence of the party.
• Keep receipts: every filing generates an acknowledgement or number; these serve as proof of filing within the statutory period.

Common reasons for delay

• Outgoing trustee affidavits not available
• Trust deed or earlier change report copies missing
• Differences between the names or addresses in the trust’s papers and the register
• Immovable property details not entered in Schedule I online

See also the pages on change reports, Section 36 sanction and public trust compliance.

Assistance with this matter

If you are dealing with a Charity Commissioner proceeding and would like assistance in preparing or filing your matter, you may contact this office through the Contact page to discuss the specifics of your trust or society.

Related guides

• Which Charity Commissioner Office Handles a Mumbai Trust?

Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.

This page describes general procedure and does not constitute legal advice. What applies to a particular matter depends on its own facts.

This page describes general procedure and is published for information only, in keeping with Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules. It is not legal advice and does not solicit work. What applies to a particular matter depends on its own facts.