1. By the notice Ext. P2 dated 29-1-1980 the 1st respondent, the Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies (General), Alleppey told the five petitioners and one V. K. Sukumaran that it had been noticed that they were disqualified to be members of the Board of Directors of the Kalavoor Co-operative Society Ltd. under the Co-operative Societies Rules and the byelaws of the Society and hence ceased to be members of the Board of Directors under R.44 (1)(c)(i) with effect from the date of acquiring the said disqualification and that it was proposed to declare them disqualified to continue on the Committee under R.44(3). As part of the details of the disqualification furnished in the notice it was stated that on 15-1-1980 when the Society was inspected the 1st petitioner was found indebted to the Society as a principal debtor, the 2nd petitioner as a surety, the 3rd petitioner also as a surety, the 4th petitioner as a principal debtor and the 5th petitioner as a surety in the amounts specified. The notice called upon them to file objections, if any, to the proposal to declare them disqualified to be members of the Board of Directors. The report of the Assistant Registrar (Au