S.S.SANDHAWALIA, J.

1. Whether the provisions of sub-sec.(6) of S.27 of the Punjab Co-operative Societies Act, 1961 , are mandatory or directory in nature is the spinal issue which has necessitated the admission of this writ petition for a hearing by the Division Bench.

2. The facts are not in dispute and lie in a narrow compass. The petitioners were elected members of the Managing Committee of the Thatha Co-operative Agricultural Service Society (hereinafter referred to as the Society) in the year 1979 and by virtue of S.26(1)(b) of the Punjab Co-operative Societies Act (hereinafter called the Act) their term of office was to be for a period of three years. It is averred on behalf of the petitioners that they were functioning satisfactorily when they were shocked to receive a show cause notice issued by respondent No.3 under S.27 of the Act. Certain allegations of bias have been made against respondent No.2, the Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Tarn Taran, to which detailed reference is not necessary and it suffices to mention that ultimately the matter was transferred to the Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Amritsar. It is then alleged that the Ass