Also Read - MP High Court Refuses to Quash FIR Against Three Accused of Providing Equipment for Advertising Religious Conversion

Justice Sandeep V. Marne rejected these submissions. The Court held that once the applicant had lodged the written application together with the cheques, the statutory timeline began to run. The society’s failure to encash the cheques did not toll the period. The record showed that the petitioners did not furnish the minutes of the managing committee meetings within the forty‑five day window and persisted in withholding them even after repeated communications and directions from the Deputy Registrar.

The Court found no material to support the petitioners’ claim that the respondent had refused to accept the documents. The only evidence on record indicated that the documents were ultimately made available through the Deputy Registrar after considerable delay. Consequently, the delay was not a minor or technical lapse but a deliberate refusal to comply with the statutory duty.

Also Read - MP High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Alleged Journalist in Extortion Case

Referring to the legislative purpose of Section 154B‑8, the Court emphasised that the provision aims to ensure transparency in the functioning of co‑operative societies. Disqualification under Section 154B‑23(1)(iii) follows only after the Registrar determines responsibility for the default. While acknowledging that substantial compliance may, in an appropriate case, protect a committee member from disqualification, the Court held that the present case involved a willful refusal to furnish documents, not a mere technical delay.

The Court also noted that although the video recording of the Annual General Meeting was not one of the documents enumerated under Section 154B‑8(1), the minutes of the managing committee meetings clearly fell within the ambit of that provision. Their non‑supply therefore attracted the consequences prescribed by Section 154B‑23(1)(iii).

Also Read - Department Of Education Cannot Impose Recruitment Restrictions On Aided Minority Schools: Delhi High Court

Having considered the concurrent findings of the Deputy Registrar, the Joint Registrar and the Minister (Co‑operation), Justice Sandeep V. Marne found no reason to interfere with those orders. The writ petition was dismissed, and the disqualification of the petitioners was upheld.

The decision reinforces the obligation of co‑operative housing societies to provide requested records within the statutory period and clarifies that a deliberate refusal to do so, even if the documents are eventually supplied after delay, will attract disqualification of the responsible office‑bearers under the Maharashtra Co‑operative Societies Act, 1960.

Also Read - J&K&L High Court Directs JMC to Survey Hotels, Coaching Centres and Commercial Establishments for Building and Fire Safety Violations