IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
T.V. NALAWADE, J.
Ratneshwar s/o. Trimbakappa Kore - Appellant
Versus
Manmathappa s/o. Pandaba Lokhande - Respondents.
SECOND APPEAL NO. 32 OF 2014
Decided On : 13th August, 2014
(i) Nature of change,
(ii) Reasons for change and
(iii) Remarks if any.
The change form needs to be signed by reporting trustee. Thus, the information needs to be supplied as per the statutory requirement and on the aforesaid points. The form needs to be accompanied by a true copy of instrument of resolution. If there is some mistake or alleged inclusion/addition of one or two sentences like alleged in the present case, that needs to be inquired by the A.C.C.
In such a case also the A.C.C. is expected to ascertain the intention behind the resolution and whether the change had really taken place. If some discrepancy in the material like copy of resolution is noticed, but such discrepancy is not affecting the intended change, the A.C.C. is expected to accept the change, subject to his satisfaction, based on the material available in that regard. The only thing which is required to be done by the A.C.C. is to ascertain as to whether addition of sentence or deletion of sentence in the resolution has changed the intention behind the resolution. If the resolution was already passed and it was only matter of confirmation of the minutes like done in the meeting dated 31.1.1994, such things would not matter much.
On the basis of the provisions of Constitution and the record already quoted, it cannot be said that G.B. dated 31.1.1994 was illegal. It cannot be inferred that false record of resolution No. 1 of G.B. dated 31.1.1994 was created. At the cost of repetition, it needs to be mentioned that both the sides wanted this change and real dispute was on different point. It cannot be said that the decision in respect of the present amendment was taken by G.C. prior to 8.3.1992 and also in the meeting dated 9.1.1994. G.C. had decided to drop the other amendments mentioned in the resolution of G.B. dated 8.3.1992. Whether this dropping of other resolutions of G.B. could have been done by G.C. is a different matter and there is no need to touch that point in the present proceeding. On the basis of the record, this Court has no hesitation to hold that there was no contradiction in the decision taken by the G.C. and G.B. on the matter involved in the present case. Only because many members subsequently opposed the amendment and filed objections before. A.C.C. five-six years after filing of the change report, it cannot be inferred that the change had not taken place.
1. The appeal is filed to challenge the judgment and order of Misc. Civil Application No. 26/2011 which was pending in the Court of District Judge-2, Latur. The proceeding filed under section 72 of Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 (in short 'the Act' ) to challenge the decision of Joint Charity Commissioner (in short 'Jt.C.C.') and Assistant Charity Commissioner (in short 'A.C.C.') given in Inquiry No. 238/2004 was challenged before the District Judge. On the basis of change report given under section 22 of the Act, inquiry was made by A.C.C. and the report was rejected. This decision is set aside by the District Judge and the report is accepted. The report was given by the President and Secretary (Shri. Mallikarjunappa Bidve and Shri. Karale) in respect of the amendment to the Constitution of Shri. Mahatma Basveshwar Education Society, Latur to enable the institution to make more members. The decision of the District Judge is challenged by founder member, member of Governing Council (for short 'G.C.') of the Trust and also by some trustees in the present proceeding. Both the sides are heard.
2. The matter came to this Court after the remand of the matter made by the Hon'ble Apex Court by order passed in Civil Appeal No. 2931/2014 @ SLP (C) No. 5915 of 2014 dated 27.2.2014. While remanding the matter, the Hon'ble Apex Couirt has made the following observations and some directions are given which are as under :-
"We have gone through the impugned judgment and order of the High Court and we are satisfied that the High Court ought not to have disposed of the Appeal against the judgment and order of the learned District Judge in such a cryptic manner. In fact, it was not an appeal under section 100 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 which requires to be entertained only if a substantial question of law arises therein. In fact, in the Appeal, the High Court ought to have gone through all the factual and legal controversies and adjudicated upon them after hearing all the parties concerned."
3. This Court attempting to decide the matter as per the directions given by the Hon'ble Apex Court. The aforesaid education society was formed prior to year 1970. At present, there are some groups in the trustees and each group is interested in getting control over the management of the institution. The change report was given by the President and the Secretary to the effect that the General Body (for short 'G.B.') had directed to give the change report in accordance with the decision taken in the past which was for amendment to Constitution to enable the institution to enroll new, additional members. It was informed in the affidavit that it was as per the previous resolutions made by the G.B. in the meeting dated 8.3.1992. Along with the change report, copies of old Constitution, amended Constitution and copies of resolutions were produced. Subsequent to filing of the report, the President filed affidavit in respect of the information supplied in the report.
4. The Vice President Shri. Ramrao Kavthale and three trustees filed objection to the aforesaid change report. They contended that all the resolutions of G.B. meeting dated 31.1.1994 are illegal and unconstitutional. They claimed that it was imaginary meeting and it was necessary to quash the resolutions of meeting dated 31.1.1994 and other resolutions of other meeting by which enrollment of 40 new members was made possible.
5. One objection purportedly signed by 16 members was filed to the aforesaid change. One more objection purportedly signed by 3 more members was filed. In these objections, the members contended that they had attended the meetings dated 8.3.1992 and 31.1.1994 of G.B. They contended that in the meeting dated 8.3.1992 in all five amendments to the Constitution were made and amendment No. 1 was for making 40 new members. They contended that change report No. 69/1999 was filed in the past on the basis of resolution of 1992, but the President of institution did not prosec
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