IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
TARLADA RAJASEKHAR RAO, J.
Khumbhagiri Chennakesavulu - Petitioner
Versus
State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others - Respondents
Writ Petition No. 23889 Of 2012
Decided On : 19-08-2024
Jurisdiction - Writ Petition - Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1964 - Sections 61 - The court held that the Arbitrator exceeded its jurisdiction by granting relief beyond the scope of the dispute, necessitating a remand for fresh adjudication.
Fact of the Case:
A writ petition was filed challenging an order by the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies, which adjudicated a claim regarding property rights. The petitioner contended that the Arbitrator lacked jurisdiction to decide on title disputes and sought to quash the order.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the Arbitrator acted beyond its jurisdiction by granting relief not within the scope of the dispute as defined under the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1964, and thus set aside the Arbitrator's order.
Issues: Whether the Arbitrator had jurisdiction to entertain a title dispute and whether the order passed in Claim No.1 of 2011 was valid.
Ratio Decidendi: The court concluded that the Arbitrator exceeded its powers by granting relief beyond the pleadings and the scope of the reference under Section 61 of the Act, which only allows for disputes related to the business of the society.
Result: The writ petition is allowed, and the order dated 30.01.2012 is set aside, remanding the matter to the Arbitrator for fresh adjudication.
ORDER :
Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao, J.
The present Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief/s:
2. The present writ of certiorari is being submitted before this Court to call for records and to quash the proceedings of the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies-cum-Arbitrator, in Claim No.1 of 2011 dated 30.01.2012 who is arrayed as 3rd respondent herein.
3. The 5th respondent in the present Writ Petition, by name Smt. Devanaboina Ramalakshmi, originally filed the said Claim No.1 of 2011 before the 2nd respondent herein, i.e., the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Markapur, to adjudicate upon the claim made by her (i.e., 5th respondent).
4. The case of the 5th respondent herein is that she is the daughter of Malasani Chenna Kesavulu, who is the member of Markapur Public Servants Cooperative Society, and the plot No.8 was allotted to her father and her father executed a gift deed in her favour, which is an extent of 400 square yards in Sy.No.404 in Markapur town and the 5th respondent herein raised a compound wall to the height of 9 feet and the writ petitioner along with his agents came to their plot and trespassed into the site and dismantled the said compound wall and the writ petitioner along with his agents tried to raise constructions in the said plot without being any right or title over the said property. Therefore, the 5th respondent herein implored to adjudicate upon the dispute and to direct the writ petitioner not to interfere with her peaceful possession and enjoyment of plot No.8 in an extent of 400 square yards in Sy.No.404 in Markapur town.
5. As the 2nd respondent herein has not pursued the said representation/application, the 5th respondent herein filed W.P.No.18478 of 2008 before the composite High Court for resolution of the dispute by way of Arbitration under Section 61 of the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1964 (for short, 'the Act of 1964’) and the said Writ Petition was disposed by the composite High Court, vide order dated 30.06.2011, observing that “this Court has no doubt that the dispute will be entertained for arbitration under Section 61 of the Act of 1964 and will be adjudicated in terms thereof”.
6. Basing upon the said observation, the 2nd respondent herein has transferred the said dispute to the 3rd respondent herein, i.e., the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies-cum-Arbitrator, Markapuram (hereinafter called, ‘the Arbitrator’) for adjudication and for decision.
7. The sum and substance of the case of the 5th respondent herein is that her father is the member of Markapur Public Servants Cooperative Society and a plot was allotted to her father and the same was gifted to her and the writ petitioner herein is interfering with the peaceful possession and enjoyment over the said plot. The specific prayer of the 5th respondent in the claim application reads thus:
8. The 3rd respondent-Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies-cum-Arbitrator has disposed of the Claim No.1 of 2011 by an order dated 30.01.
The Arbitrator lacks jurisdiction to resolve title disputes under the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1964, and any such relief must be sought in a competent civil court.
The Arbitrator lacks jurisdiction to resolve title disputes under the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, necessitating recourse to civil courts for such matters.
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The Registrar under the Rajasthan Co-operative Societies Act 2001 cannot adjudicate title disputes, which must be resolved by a Civil Court.
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The absence of a registered conveyance deed precludes the Society from claiming any rights to the plot, and principles of res judicata apply to prevent re-litigation of the same issues.
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