Registrar Must Decide Pending Society Complaint Within 60 Days Without Prejudging Its Merits.

The petitioner, a member of Naya Maal Godown Truck Malik Sangh, alleged irregularities in the society’s management by its President and Secretary and filed a complaint under Section 32 of the Chhattisgarh Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, on 15 April 2026.

Although notices had been issued and replies filed, the complaint remained undecided for approximately four months.

The petitioner sought a direction requiring the authorities to decide the complaint and act on the allegations.

The State submitted that proceedings were underway and the complaint was likely to be decided within a reasonable time.

1. Whether the Registrar and Assistant Registrar should be directed to decide the petitioner’s pending complaint under Section 32 of the Chhattisgarh Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, within a specified period.

2. Whether the Court should direct the authorities to initiate an inquiry or take action on the allegations at this stage.

The Court considered Section 32 of the Chhattisgarh Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, under which the petitioner had submitted the complaint.

It directed the competent authorities to consider and decide that complaint in accordance with law; the order states no further statutory test or precedent.

The complaint had been pending despite the issuance of notices and filing of replies, while the State acknowledged that the proceedings were underway.

In those circumstances, the Court directed the Registrar and Assistant Registrar to decide the complaint in accordance with law, rather than determine the allegations itself.

It expressly left the merits open.

It made no finding on the merits of the allegations.