P.B. Suresh Kumar, J.

Ext.P11 order of the first respondent is under challenge in this writ petition. The matter arises under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act ('the Act').

2. The short facts relevant for decision are the following:

The petitioners are 8 out of the 12 members of the managing committee of the second respondent co-operative society which is engaged in banking business. By Ext.P11 order, the first respondent, who is exercising the powers of the Registrar under the Act in relation to the affairs of the second respondent co-operative society (`the bank') has placed the managing committee of the bank under suspension for a period of six months. It is alleged in Ext.P11 order that it is revealed in the inspection conducted in the bank under Section 66 of the Act that the bank has sanctioned and disbursed gold loans to the extent of Rs.1,70,50,394/- to three persons on the strength of fake gold ornaments for purposes other than the purposes for which gold loans could be disbursed, far in excess of the maximum limits prescribed as also the limits prescribed with reference to the quantity of the ornaments to be pledged; that the said persons being persons who are