Introduction and Legal Establishment
The document provided is a Deed of Charitable Trust establishing an organization known as “Apostolic Movement Ministries.” This legal instrument was formally executed on December 30, 2025, before the District Sub-Registrar in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. The deed is registered in Book IV, Volume number 0401-2025, spanning from page 1176 to 1204, with the specific Deed Number IV-00062/2025.
The establishment of this trust is a significant legal event, evidenced by the payment of stamp duty amounting to Rs. 150 and registration fees of Rs. 300, confirming its validity under the West Bengal Registration Rules of 1962.
The trust was created to serve society through charitable, social, educational, and religious advancements. The foundation of this organization rests on a specific monetary contribution made by the settlor, Mr. Gideon Basnet, who set apart a sum of Rs. 1,000 (Rupees One Thousand only) to form the initial corpus of the Trust Fund. This contribution signals the formal commencement of the trust’s financial life, with the intent that this fund will grow through further contributions to support the objectives laid out in the deed.
The Founders and Board of Trustees
The structure of Apostolic Movement Ministries is built upon a specific group of individuals who form the Board of Trustees. The “settlor,” or the primary founder, is Mr. Gideon Basnet. He is a resident of Lopchu Simbong Forest Village, located within the Lopchu Tea Garden area under the Lamahatta Gram Panchayat in the Darjeeling district.
Joining him in this endeavor are four other initial trustees, bringing the total founding strength of the board to five members. These individuals represent different geographic locations, indicating a vision that extends beyond the immediate locality of Darjeeling.
Mr. Sukram Tamang: He is a resident of Haiderpara, Siliguri, located in the plains of the Darjeeling district.
Mrs. Manita Chhetri: She resides in Lower Lopchu, near the registered office of the trust.
Mrs. Bichitra Limbu: She is a resident of Parbatpur in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, demonstrating the trust’s connection to Northeast India.
Miss Rani Gurung: She is also a resident of Parbatpur, Dibrugarh, Assam.
All trustees are identified as being Christian by faith and Indian by citizenship. The document explicitly notes that the term “Trustees” includes their heirs, successors, executors, and legal representatives, ensuring the longevity of the leadership structure.
Objectives and Mission of the Trust
- The Trust Deed outlines a vast array of objectives in clauses 1 through 26, which define the scope of work for Apostolic Movement Ministries. These objectives are multi-faceted, covering spiritual, social, and educational domains. Religious and Spiritual Objectives: The primary motivation of the trust is rooted in the Christian faith. It aims to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing the need for spiritual regeneration in individuals to strengthen moral and ethical values. The trust is mandated to teach, preach, and propagate the knowledge of Jesus Christ and to plant churches and religious study centers.
It specifically seeks to organize fellowship groups where Christians can meet for worship and gain sound knowledge of the Bible. Furthermore, the trust is authorized to appoint and authorize qualified individuals to solemnize Christian marriages, baptisms, dedications, burials, and other important rites necessary for the spiritual needs of the community across different parts of India.
Social Welfare and Humanitarian Aid: Beyond religious activities, the trust is deeply committed to social service. It aims to facilitate the welfare of needy people through charitable and social advancements. A key objective is to provide aid to the poor and needy by way of financial help or by arranging desired facilities.
- The trust plans to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ in emergencies by providing medical assistance and engaging in various forms of social activity. It also intends to run social projects beneficial to society at large and render every possible assistance to the destitute and underprivileged.
Educational and Vocational Development: Education is a central pillar of the trust’s vision. The deed authorizes the trust to obtain, maintain, and establish institutions such as schools, colleges, and training centers. A specific focus is placed on establishing vocational training centers for underprivileged people.
The goal of these centers is to help individuals become self-supported and achieve self-development. Additionally, the trust aims to serve financially unsound students in the surrounding areas, contributing to the building of a fertile society and nation.
Infrastructure and Rehabilitation: The trust has the mandate to establish orphanages, homes, welfare centers, and specifically, rehabilitation centers for addiction. It is also empowered to construct, maintain, and renovate buildings for spiritual centers, hostels, student hostels, churches, dharma shalas, and community halls. It may also provide free or subsidized accommodation to travelers.
Cultural and Global Engagement:
- The trust seeks to organize national and international seminars and festivals to disseminate Indian arts, music, dance, and drama. It also aims to promote cultural activities by exchanging scholarships and students from other countries to foster friendly relations, irrespective of race, caste, or political philosophy.
However, the deed strictly clarifies that no income or property of the trust shall be applied for purposes outside India without the permission of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, adhering to Section 11 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Governance and Administrative Structure
- The administration of Apostolic Movement Ministries is governed by a strict set of rules laid out in the deed regarding the Board of Trustees.
Composition and Succession: The Board of Trustees must consist of a minimum of five members and can be expanded, but the total number of additional trustees cannot exceed six. A unique feature of this trust is the hereditary nature of the chairmanship. Mr. Gideon Basnet, the settlor, is designated as the chairman of the trust for his lifetime.
Upon his death or resignation, the chair must be occupied by his male or female descendants who agree to act as trustee. The deed mandates that at least one trustee must always be from among the descendants of the settlor. If the number of trustees falls below two, the remaining trustee is legally bound to fill the vacancies immediately to ensure the board never has fewer than two members.
Terms of Office: While the Founder Trustee (Gideon Basnet) holds office for life, co-opted trustees hold office for a period of five years. After this five-year term, they are eligible for reappointment.
Meetings and Decision Making: The Board is required to hold an “Annual Meeting” once a year. The chairman can call other meetings as necessary, or a meeting can be requisitioned by at least two trustees. The quorum for a meeting is defined as two members or one-third of the total strength, whichever is higher. Interestingly, the deed allows for trustees who are outside India to exercise their votes or endorse resolutions in writing, facilitating international operations.
Disqualification and Vacancies: A trustee can be disqualified if they become of unsound mind, insolvent, convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, or guilty of a breach of trust. The Founder Trustee cannot be removed unless he resigns himself.
However, other trustees will cease to be members if they fail to attend five consecutive board meetings without a leave of absence. Vacancies in the office of co-opted trustees are to be filled by the Founder Trustee within two months; otherwise, the Apostolic Movement Ministries board must fill the vacancy.
Financial Management and Operations
- The Trust Deed provides detailed instructions on how the financial affairs of the ministry are to be handled.
Banking and Funds: The trustees are authorized to open and operate bank accounts (current, deposit, or others) with any scheduled bank. These accounts can be operated singly, jointly, or severally as authorized by a resolution of the trustees. The trust is competent to receive donations, grants, and presents from the public, firms, or companies.
Investment: The funds of the trust must be invested in modes permissible under the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The trustees have the power to convert trust properties and invest proceeds in the purchase or mortgage of immovable properties or government securities.
Expenses and Remuneration: The deed explicitly states that trustees shall not charge any fee or remuneration for any work done by them in connection with the trust. Their service is voluntary. However, they are entitled to reimbursement for office expenses, rent, salaries of employees, and travel expenses (including railway or airfare) incurred for the work of the trust.
Accounts and Audit: The trustees are strictly required to maintain true and accurate accounts of all money received and expended. The account books must be made up at the end of each financial year, which is specified as the 31st of March. A consolidated statement of income and expenditure and a balance sheet must be prepared annually and confirmed by the Board of Trustees.
Legal Provisions and Powers
- The deed grants the trustees specific legal powers to ensure the smooth running of the organization.
- Power to Amend: The trustees have the power to amend, add, change, or alter provisions of the deed. This requires a two-thirds majority vote. However, there is a strict “Basic Structure” clause: they cannot alter the provisions regarding the objects of the Trust or the appointment of Trustees.
Amalgamation and Networking: The trust has the power to amalgamate (merge) with other charitable institutions in India or elsewhere in the world that have similar objects. It can also create networking systems with local, national, and international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, provided they have prior permission from the government.
Indemnity: Trustees are protected against liability for losses that are not attributable to their own dishonesty or willful commission of a breach of trust. Furthermore, trustees are not entitled to take legal action against co-trustees for alleged breaches of trust.
Winding Up: In the event that the trust cannot exist due to a paucity of funds or other reasons, the deed mandates that the residual trust property cannot be reclaimed by the settlers. Instead, it must be handed over to another public charitable trust or to the bishop of the diocese to be utilized for the objects mentioned in the declaration.
>>>>Conclusion<<<<<
- The “Apostolic Movement Ministries“ is established as a robust legal entity with a clear, irrevocable commitment to Christian service and social upliftment. The deed, registered in Darjeeling, creates a structure that is both family-led, through the hereditary chairmanship of Mr. Gideon Basnet, and community-oriented, through the inclusion of trustees from different states.
- By combining spiritual goals like church planting with tangible social goals like vocational training and addiction rehabilitation, the trust aims to act as a comprehensive vehicle for community development in India. The detailed provisions regarding financial transparency, auditing, and the prohibition of trustee remuneration underscore an intent to operate with integrity and public trust.
Governance and Administrative Structure
- The administration of Apostolic Movement Ministries is governed by a strict set of rules laid out in the deed regarding the Board of Trustees.
Composition and Succession: The Board of Trustees must consist of a minimum of five members and can be expanded, but the total number of additional trustees cannot exceed six. A unique feature of this trust is the hereditary nature of the chairmanship. Mr. Gideon Basnet, the settlor, is designated as the chairman of the trust for his lifetime.
Upon his death or resignation, the chair must be occupied by his male or female descendants who agree to act as trustee. The deed mandates that at least one trustee must always be from among the descendants of the settlor. If the number of trustees falls below two, the remaining trustee is legally bound to fill the vacancies immediately to ensure the board never has fewer than two members.
Terms of Office: While the Founder Trustee (Gideon Basnet) holds office for life, co-opted trustees hold office for a period of five years. After this five-year term, they are eligible for reappointment.
Meetings and Decision Making: The Board is required to hold an “Annual Meeting” once a year. The chairman can call other meetings as necessary, or a meeting can be requisitioned by at least two trustees. The quorum for a meeting is defined as two members or one-third of the total strength, whichever is higher. Interestingly, the deed allows for trustees who are outside India to exercise their votes or endorse resolutions in writing, facilitating international operations.
Disqualification and Vacancies: A trustee can be disqualified if they become of unsound mind, insolvent, convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, or guilty of a breach of trust. The Founder Trustee cannot be removed unless he resigns himself.
However, other trustees will cease to be members if they fail to attend five consecutive board meetings without a leave of absence. Vacancies in the office of co-opted trustees are to be filled by the Founder Trustee within two months; otherwise, the Apostolic Movement Ministries board must fill the vacancy.
Financial Management and Operations
- The Trust Deed provides detailed instructions on how the financial affairs of the ministry are to be handled.
Banking and Funds: The trustees are authorized to open and operate bank accounts (current, deposit, or others) with any scheduled bank. These accounts can be operated singly, jointly, or severally as authorized by a resolution of the trustees. The trust is competent to receive donations, grants, and presents from the public, firms, or companies.
Investment: The funds of the trust must be invested in modes permissible under the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The trustees have the power to convert trust properties and invest proceeds in the purchase or mortgage of immovable properties or government securities.
Expenses and Remuneration: The deed explicitly states that trustees shall not charge any fee or remuneration for any work done by them in connection with the trust. Their service is voluntary. However, they are entitled to reimbursement for office expenses, rent, salaries of employees, and travel expenses (including railway or airfare) incurred for the work of the trust.
Accounts and Audit: The trustees are strictly required to maintain true and accurate accounts of all money received and expended. The account books must be made up at the end of each financial year, which is specified as the 31st of March. A consolidated statement of income and expenditure and a balance sheet must be prepared annually and confirmed by the Board of Trustees.