JUDGMENT :

The issues involved in the above three writ petitions are intrinsically connected, and the writ petitions are heard and disposed of together. The petitioners were elected to the Managing Committee of the Arayoor Service Co-operative Bank Limited in an election that was held on 04.11.2018. The term of office is for five years. In 2021, proceedings were initiated for surcharging the Committee. The surcharge order was issued under Section 68(2) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969 (KCS Act) on 16.6.2021. An order of surcharge is a disqualification to the Committee to continue in office. The Unit Inspector was hence appointed as an Administrator to manage the Society. The order imposing the surcharge and the order appointing the Administrator was the subject matter of challenge before this Court in W.P.(C)No.12783 of 2021. This Court set aside the order by judgment dated 21.02.2022. Pending the litigation, the term of the Administrator has been extended. The Court directed the Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies to pass fresh orders based on the findings entered by the Court after affording an opportunity of hearing to the parties. Regarding the appointment of