RAM PYARE CHAUDHARY Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The District Co-operative Federation (Zila Sahakari Federation), Basti ('Federation' for short) is a co-operative society registered under the U. P. Cooperative Societies Act, 1965 ('Act' for short). As provided by S. 29 of the Act, the management of the Federation vests in a committee designated as Committee of Management. The committee consists of 10 elected members and 1 nominated member. As the term of the Committee was drawing to a close, programme for election of the new committee of management was announced as required by Part VI of the U. P. Co-operative Societies Rules, 1968 ('Rules' for short). Pursunt to this programme poll was held on Sept. 11, 1978. It is not made clear to us when the counting of the votes commenced, though R. 444(l) provides that counting of the votes will take place immediately after the close of the poll except when postponed in a given set of circumstances. Sub-rule (4) of R. 444 provides that Election Officer shall announce the result of election as soon as the counting is completed indicating the number of votes secured by each candidate. It appears that one Shri Kashi Nath whose name did not appear in the voters' list and who, on account of the omission, could not contest the election filed Civil Suit No. 291 of 1978 in the Court of Munsif, Basti on Sept. 9, 1978 and asked for and obtained ad interim ex parte injunction restraining the defendants in the suit from conducting the election of Board of Directors (Committee of Management), President, Vice-President and the delegates of District Cooperative Federation, Basti and/or announcing the result of election. Defendants Nos. 1 to 4 in the suit appeared and contested the application for interim injunction. The learned Munsif after hearing both sides confirmed the injunction in the following terms :

(2.) The High Court was of the opinion that even though under R. 445 the term of the office of the elected members of the committee of management of co-operative society is three co-operative years including the cooperative year of their election, once the poll is held and even though the result of the election is not announced, the term would commence from the date of the poll and therefore the decision of the Deputy Registrar that the term expired on June 30, 1981, is correct. The High Court accordingly dismissed the writ petition. Hence this appeal by special leave limited to one point only, namely, the commencement and completion of the term of office of the members of the committee of management of the second appellant.

(3.) Section 29 (1) provides that the management of every co-operative society shall vest in a committee of management constituted in accordance with the Act, the rules and the bye-laws., Sub-sec. (2) provides that the term of the elected members of the committee of management shall be such as may be provided in the rules or the bye-laws of the society. Rule 445 (1) provides that except as otherwise provided in Rr. 406, 431 434 and. 435, the term of the office of the elected members of the committee of management of a co-operative society shall be three co-operative years including the co-operative year of their election. Explanation appended to this Rule clarifies how the period of three co-operative years is to be computed. In substance the explanation clarifies that :