40 WP-4442-2026(C).doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 4442 OF 2026 Shrimant Vitthal Pujari. ...Petitioner. Versus The State of Maharashtra and Others. ...Respondents. —————— Mr. Abhijit D. Kulkarni for the Petitioner. Ms. Tejas J. Kapre, AGP for the Respondent-State. —————— Coram : Sharmila U. Deshmukh & Neeraj P. Dhote, JJ. Date : September 8, 2026. P. C. : 1. Upon a query by this Court as regards the alternate remedy available to the Petitioner to challenge the no-confidence motion passed against the Petitioner, learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner would point the declaration dated 28th August 2026 by which the Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies has declared that post of Chairman has become vacant and therefore election process be started. We find that the declaration dated 28th August 2026 is a consequential act to the passing of no-confidence motion and only directs the election process to commence as the post has fallen vacant. By reason of the said declaration, the Petitioner is not precluded from availing the appropriate remedies under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 to assail the no-confidence motion. In view of the availability Patil-SR 1 of 2 40 WP-4442-2026(C).doc of alternate remedy to the Petitioner, we are not inclined to entertain the petition. The petition is disposed of with liberty to the Petitioner to challenge the no-confidence motion passed against him in appropriate proceedings. All contentions of all parties are expressly kept open. [Neeraj P. Dhote, J.] [Sharmila U. Deshmukh, J.] Patil-SR 2 of 2