1/2 17 WP 11251-26.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 11251 of 2026 Sindhu Laxman Chavan and anr .. Petitioners Versus State of Maharashtra thru its Addl. Chief Secretary and ors .. Respondents … Mr. Prathamesh S. Phadtare for the petitioners. Mr.Karan S. Thorat ‘B’ Panel Counsel for the State. CORAM : BHARATI DANGRE & ASHISH S. CHAVAN, JJ DATED : 2nd SEPTEMBER, 2026 P.C:- 1 The grievance of the petitioners, the members of respondent no.3 Society is that despite five of its members making a complaint to the Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies for initiating an inquiry against the office bearers of the Society, no steps have been taken. 2 The complaints preferred from time to time with necessary documentary evidence, form part of the petition. In terms of Section 83 of the Co-operative Societies Act, the Registrar may suo moto, or on the application of one-fifth of the members of the Society, or on the basis of Special Report under the third proviso to sub-section (5B) of Tilak MANALI PRASANNA TILAK Digitally signed by MANALI PRASANNA TILAK Date: 2026.09.03 18:52:10 +0530 2/2 17 WP 11251-26.doc Section 81, hold an inquiry to the constitution, working and financial conditions of the Society, either by himself or by authorising any person in writing. Upon such an inquiry being initiated, all the office bearers of the Society are duty bound to comply and render assistance. 3. We are informed that the Society comprises of 15 members and the complaint has been preferred by 5 members (one member has not signed), but in any case, since the complaint is made by 1/5th of the members of the Society, it is imperative for the Registrar to take cognizance thereof. We therefore, direct the respondent no.2 to take cognizance of the complaints and on a scrutiny, if he deem it necessary to conduct an inquiry under section 83, pass appropriate orders. For any reason, if the complaint could not be entertained, he shall communicate in writing the reasons for not proceeding with an inquiry under Section 83. In any case, we expect this decision to be taken within a period of three months from today. Learned AGP to communicate this order to respondent no.2. Petition stand disposed of. (ASHISH S. CHAVAN, J) (BHARATI DANGRE, J.) Tilak