G.H. Guttal, J.

1. The petition under Art.226 of the Constitution of India, by the Cochin Cooperative Hospitals Society Limited and members of its committee, raises an interesting question. The question" is whether denial of access to administrative reports which constitute the source of information on which the notice inviting objections to the proposed supersession of a cooperative society, issued under S.32 of the Kerala Cooperative Societies Act, is based, is a violation of the principles of natural justice.

2. Indira Gandhi Cooperative Hospital, Cochin, is run by the petitioner No. 6, the Cochin Cooperative Hospital Society Limited, hereinafter referred to as the Society, which is registered under the Kerala Cooperative Societies Act, hereinafter referred to as the Act. The petitioner Nos. 1 to 5 are members of the managing committee of the society which is also known as the Board of Directors. The petitioners impugn the validity of the order No. 7160/1992 dated 25th February, 1993 (Ext. P9 to the petition), whereby the Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Government of Kerala, the respondent No. 1 herein, in exercise of his power under S.32 of the Act, removed the