SUMEET BHATIA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Kishor Patil, the learned Counsel for the petitioner, Mrs. Nimbalkar, the learned AGP for the State - respondent Nos.1 to 3 and Mr. Kshirsagar, the learned Counsel for respondent Nos.4 to 10.

(2.) The petitioner takes exception to an order passed by the Divisional Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Pune Division, in Revision Application No.92 of 2022, whereby the said revision application came to be allowed by setting aside the order dtd. 17/3/2022, passed by Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Pune City and Taluka Cooperative Returning Officer under Rule 66 of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Election to Committee) Rules, 2014 ("the Election to Committee Rules, 2014"), disqualifying respondent Nos.5 to 10 and the other committee members for the period of three years for failure to submit the account of election expenses within the time prescribed under Rule 67(1)(a) of the Election to Committee Rules, 2014.

(3.) The Election to the Committee of Omega Paradise Phase-1, respondent No.4 Society were held on 12/11/2021. In the said election, respondent Nos.5 to 10 and other 9 were declared elected unopposed. Under Rule 65 read with Rule 67(1A) of the Election to Committee Rules, 2014, every candidate is enjoined to submit an account of election expenses within a period of 60 days from the date of declaration of the result of the election, to the Returning Officer. The elected candidates did not submit the account within the stipulated period of 60 days.