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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
Dhiraj Singh Thakur, CJ, Ninala Jayasurya, J
Lazarus Lunjala – Appellant
Versus
Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CJ :
The controversy in the present writ appeals pertains to the elections and management of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC), which is a society earlier registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and is now governed by the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act , 2001.
2. The AELC Society is stated to consist of approximately 1200 churches and 300 congregations spread over various districts in the State of Andhra Pradesh. All the churches and congregations are organized into six synods, namely Central Guntur Synod, East Guntur Synod, West Guntur Synod, East Godavari Synod, West Godavari Synod, and Visakha Synod. The synods are further divided into several parishes which are further classified as A, B and C according to their strength and financial capacity.
3. The affairs of the society are managed by a central body comprising the President, Vice President, General Secretary and other members, in all numbering 12. For electing the members in the central body, elections are first held at the Synod level. The elected representatives from the Synod level then participate to elect the central body.
4. Three groups have emerged wi
The court appointed a retired judge as 'Controller' to oversee elections and manage the affairs of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church amidst conflicting claims of election to its central body.
THE POLICE CANNOT INTERFERE IN A PRIVATE AND CIVIL DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
Point of law: the cases filed before the elections and after the elections. Almost 26 cases have been filed at the relevant point of time in 19 Courts, besides, various other interim orders have also....
Court ruled that appointments made during disputes over elections declared void are invalid, emphasizing the necessity for duly elected governing bodies in administrative roles.
The main legal point established in the judgment is that wilful disobedience of a court order, including attempts to circumvent the order, constitutes contempt of court.
The court affirmed the validity of the election of the Committee of Management, emphasizing adherence to the Society's Bye-Laws and proper authority in convening meetings.
The court affirmed the validity of the Committee's elections under the Societies Registration Act, emphasizing adherence to bye-laws and authority established through prior judicial rulings.
Vacancies in society leadership require legally conducted elections under the Societies Registration Act.
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