(1.) By the above Writ Petition, the Petitioners seek to challenge the Order dated 13th August, 2020 (Exhibit F page 31) ('the Impugned Order') passed by the Respondent No.3 - The Secretary, State Co-operative Election Authority, appointing Respondent No.2 - the Divisional Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies (Dairy), Pune Division, Pune, to hold an election to the post of Chairman of Respondent No.4 Society and a restraint order from holding the meeting of the Board of Directors of Respondent No.4 Society.
(2.) The Petitioner Nos.1 to 4 are four of the 17 Directors of the Respondent No.4 - The Solapur Zillah Dudha Utpadak Sangha, a Co-Operative Society, duly registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, which functions as per its byelaws. Respondent No.1 is the State of Maharashtra, through the Department of CoOperation and Textiles, Mantralaya, Mumbai. Respondent No.2 is the Divisional Deputy Registrar, Co-operative Societies (Dairy)-Pune and is the District Co Operative Election Ofcer. Respondent No.3 is the Secretary, State Co-Operative Election Authority - Pune, a statutory body duly established pursuant to the provisions of Section 73-CB of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 and who has passed the Impugned Order dated 13th August, 2020 appointing Respondent No.2 for holding/conducting a meeting of the Respondent No.4 for the purpose of election of the Chairman of the Respondent No.4. Respondent No.5 was the Chairman of Respondent No.4. By his Letter dated 19th March, 2020, Respondent No.5 tendered his resignation as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Respondent No.4.
(3.) The Petitioners have in the above Writ Petition stated/submitted as follows: