Supersession of Elected Committee is Restricted to Exceptional Circumstances of Persistent and Deliberate Non-Compliance

The Petitioners, members of the Managing Committee (MC) of the Delhi Union Cooperative House Building Society Ltd., challenged an order dated April 28, 2026, passed by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS).

The RCS had superseded the MC and appointed an Administrator under Section 37 of the Delhi Co-operative Societies Act, 2003, citing persistent violations.

These included charging exorbitant penalty interest (365% p.a.) on maintenance dues, failing to reinstate an expelled member despite RCS orders, and non-compliance with an arbitral award dated February 29, 2024.

The MC appealed to the Financial Commissioner, who dismissed the appeal on July 3, 2026, leading to the present writ petition.

Section 37 of the Delhi Co-operative Societies Act, 2003, which empowers the RCS to supersede a committee for persistent default or negligence.

State of M.P. and Ors. v. Sanjay Nagayach and Ors. (2013), which establishes that supersession of an elected body is an exception and should only occur after granting reasonable time (at least six months) to rectify defects, unless there is deliberate inaction.

The Managing Committee of Vallapuzha Service Co-op. Bank Ltd. vs. The Joint Registrar Co-operative Societies (2009) regarding the autonomy of cooperative societies against excessive state control.

The Court observed that while the RCS serves as the supervisory authority and the MC has a legal obligation to comply with its directions, the supersession of an elected body—whose term ends in 2027—is a drastic measure.

Applying the Sanjay Nagayach principles, the Court found that although the MC failed to comply with previous orders regarding membership reinstatement and interest rates, it should typically be allowed to complete its term.

However, the Court acknowledged the RCS's findings of "conscious disregard of statutory obligations".

Balancing these positions, the Court reasoned that the MC should be given a final, time-bound opportunity to undertake remedial actions under the supervision of the existing Administrator rather than being immediately and finally superseded.

The Holding is that the MC shall be granted 30 days to rectify the violations with the cooperation of the Administrator.

If the RCS records satisfaction with the compliances within one month thereafter, the MC shall be restored to office; however, if the MC fails to comply, the original supersession order shall stand.

The Administrator was directed to cooperate in facilitating this compliance.