ASHWANI KUMAR LODHI Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present batch of writ petitions have been preferred by the members/borrowers of the Krishak Sewa Sahakari Samiti, Ghutku, a primary credit cooperative society (henceforth 'the Ghutku Society') registered under the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Cooperative Societies Act, 1960. The petitioners have prayed for refund of the amount, which they have deposited with the Ghutku Society, which in turn was deposited by the Ghutku Society with the District Central Cooperative Bank, Bilaspur (henceforth 'the DCCB, Bilaspur).

(2.) In WPC No.2153/2015, this Court passed an order on 27/1/2016 observing that a sum of Rs.7.00 crores approximately has been deposited by the villagers with the Krishak Sewa Sahakari Samiti, Ghutku, Tahsil Takhatpur, District Bilaspur. However, the said bank/primary society is closed and the office bearers are not available leaving the villagers in lurch, as a result the account holders are not able to withdraw their own money in times of need.

(3.) This Court directed the respondents/State to file return with proposal as to how the petitioners would get back their money. It was also observed that depending upon the contents of the return and the action initiated by the respondents/State to redress the grievance raised in the writ petition, this Court may consider handing over the entire matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (henceforth 'the CBI') for proper investigation.