²¹[Application for registration of charitable or religious trusts, etc.

17A. An application under ²²[clause (aa) of sub-section (1)] of section 12A for registration of a charitable or religious trust or institution shall be made in duplicate in Form No. 10A and shall be accompanied by the following documents, namely :

          (a)  where the trust is created, or the institution is established, under an instrument, the instrument in original, together with one copy thereof; and where the trust is created, or the institution is established, otherwise than under an instrument, the document evidencing the creation of the trust or the establishment of the institution, together with one copy thereof :

                Provided that if the instrument or document in original cannot conveniently be produced, it shall be open to the ²³[²⁴[***] Commissioner] to accept a certified copy in lieu of the original;

          (b)  where the trust or institution has been in existence during any year or years, prior to the financial year in which the application for registration is made, two copies of the accounts of the trust or institution relating to such prior year or years (not being more than three years immediately preceding the year in which the said application is made) for which such accounts have been made up.]