JUDGMENT - Chandurkar, Actg. C. J.-The petitioners in this petition are challenging an order made under section 77A of the Maharashtra Co-opera-tive Societies Act, 1960 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) by the Assis-tant Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Kolhapur. By this order the Assis-tant Registrar, respondent No. 1, purporting to act in exercise of his powers under section 77A(l)(a) and (b), has directed that the Managing Committee of the Chandgad Taluka Shetkari Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Sangh, Ltd., Turkewadi, Taluka Chandgad, District Kolhapur (hereinafter referred to as “the Society”) would stand dissolved and an Administrator would conduct the affairs of the Society until further orders.

2. For a proper appreciation of the circumstances which, according to the Assistant Registrar, led him to exercise his powers of appointment of an Administrator, it is necessary to state a few facts. Admittedly, the period of five years for which the Managing Committee was elected on 14th October 1977 had already expired. Fresh elections were, therefore, to be held and an election programme was, therefore, published by the Collector, because the Society is a specified society. In acc

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