Greenpeace India says court has put on hold a government order canceling its permit to operate

NEW DELHI – Greenpeace India says a court has put on hold a government order canceling its registration to operate in India.

It said the court ruled Friday that the environmental group could continue to operate in India until a final verdict is reached on charges of financial irregularities that the government has leveled against it.

In April the government suspended Greenpeace India's registration for six months, saying it was underreporting foreign contributions and using them without government clearance. Greenpeace challenged the order in court.

However earlier this month the organization's registration was canceled.

India began cracking down on foreign-funded charities last year after a government intelligence bureau report said economic growth was hurt when the groups rallied communities against polluting industries.