Elections to multi-state cooperative board must strictly follow bye-laws and Central Registrar clarifications.

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to order vide letter No.CEA-12011/287/2025, dated 26.11.2025 issued by the second respondent and quash the same, and consequently direct the third respondent to expeditiously complete the election to the Board of Directors of the Petitioner Society, from polling to declaration of results, in terms of the Election Programme Schedule and the second respondent’s order dated 11.07.2025, in the interest of justice.

For Petitioner : Mr.B.Ullasavelan For Respondents : Mr.K.K.Muralidharan for R1, R2 Central Government Counsel Mr.T.M.Rajangam for R3, R4 Government Advocate

O R D E R

The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to order vide letter No.CEA-12011/287/2025, dated 26.11.2025 issued by the second respondent and quash the same, and consequently direct the third respondent to expeditiously complete the election to the Board of Directors of the Petitioner Society, from polling to declaration of results, in terms of the Election Programme Schedule and the second respondent’s order dated 11.07.2025, in the interest of justice.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the issue involved in the writ petition pertains to conduct of election for Multi – State Cooperative Society. The learned counsel further submitted that the petitioner society was converted as Multi – State Cooperative Society on 19.06.1974 and Bye-laws were framed as per Multi – State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984. The power to order election is with the first respondent and election has to be conducted through respondents 2 to 4. The grievance of the petitioner is that as per Bye-laws, Chennai Region with Registered Office has a representation of 12 Directors of which 9 are to be elected from General Category, 2 from Women Category and 1 from SC/St Category, however, the impugned letter restricted representation to Board from Chennai Region to 9 instead of 12 and created open constituency of Women and SC/ST allowing any member from any region to contest in such constituency. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner filed this writ petition.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that during the pendancy of this writ petition, the first respondent issued letter dated 05.02.2026 clarifying the impugned letter. Hence this Court may, without going into the merits of the case, issue direction to the third respondent to conduct election for Multi – State Cooperative Society, strictly in terms of the Bye-laws and letter of the first respondent dated 05.02.2026.

4.Considering the limited relief now sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the third respondent to conduct election for Multi – State Cooperative Society, strictly in terms of the Bye-laws and letter of the first respondent dated 05.02.2026.

5.The writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.