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REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4691 OF 2013

[Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6860 of 2012]

State of M.P. and Others .. Appellants

Versus

Sanjay Nagayach and Others .. Respondents

WITH

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4692 OF 2013,

(Arising out of SLP (Civil) No. 13125 of 2012]

J U D G M E N T

K. S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.

Leave granted.

1.We are, in this case, concerned with the legality of an

order passed by the Joint Registrar of the Cooperative Societies,

Sagar Division, Sagar, M.P., superseding the Board of Directors

of District Cooperative Central Bank Ltd., Panna without

previous consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, as

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provided under the second proviso to Section 53(1) of the

Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 [for short ‘the

Act’].

2.The Board of Directors of the Bank challenged the above

mentioned order on various grounds, including the ground of

violation of the second proviso to Section 53(1) of the Act that

is non-consultation with the Reserve Bank of India [RBI] before

taking a decision to supersede the Board of Directors. The

order was challenged by the Board of Directors by filing a writ

petition before the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur

Bench. Learned single Judge of the High Court disposed of the

writ petition directing the parties to avail of the alternative

remedy provided under Section 78 of the Act. But on appeal,

the Division Bench of the High Court set aside the order of

supersession dated 30.9.2011 on the ground of non-compliance

of the second proviso to section 53(1) of the Act. Aggrieved by

the same, the State of M.P., through its Principal Secretary,

Department of Co-operation, the Commissioner Cum

Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Bhopal and the Joint

Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Sagar, have come up with

Civil Appeal No. ......... of 2013 [arising out of SLP No. 6860

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of 2012] and a private party filed Civil Appeal No. ........... of

2013 [arising out of SLP No. 13125 of 2012] challenging the

judgment of the High Court dated 13.2.2012, followed by lot of

intervening applications.

3.As the question of laws involved in both the above

mentioned appeals are common, we are disposing of both the

appeals by a common judgment.

Facts and Arguments

4.The Board of Directors of the Bank was elected to Office

on 16.10.2007 and while in office they were served with a

show-cause-notice dated 2.3.2009 issued by the Joint Registrar,

Co-operative Societies under Section 53(2) of the Act

containing 19 charges. Detailed replies were sent by the Board

of Directors on 6.5.2009 and 16.5.2011 stating that most of the

charges levelled against them were related to the period of the

previous Committee and the rest were based exclusively on an

Audit Report dated 25.9.2008. It was pointed out that the

Board of Directors on receipt of the Audit report took necessary

action and a communication dated 5.12.2008 was sent to the

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Branch Managers of Primary Societies to take immediate follow-

up action on the basis of the Audit report. After filing the

detailed reply, nothing was heard from the Joint Registrar but

due to political pressure and extraneous reasons after two and

half years of the show cause notice, an order of supersession

was served on the Board, followed by the appointment of an

Administrator in gross violation of the second proviso to Section

53(1) of the Act.

5.Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi, learned senior advocate

appearing for the State, submitted that the High Court was not

justified in interfering with the order of supersession passed by

the Joint Registrar, while an alternative remedy was available

under Section 78 of the Act by way of an appeal before the Co-

operative Tribunal. Learned senior counsel placed reliance on

the judgments of this Court in Harbanslal Sahnia and

Another v. Indian Oil Corpn. Ltd. and Others (2003) 2 SCC

107, United Bank of India v. Satyawati Tondon and

Others (2010) 8 SCC 110 and Om Prakash Saini v. DCM

Ltd. and Others (2010) 11 SCC 622. Learned senior

counsel also submitted that the Division Bench of the High

Court has not correctly appreciated the scope of the second

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proviso to Section 53(1) of the Act. Learned senior counsel

also pointed out that the Joint Registrar has forwarded the

show-cause notice dated 23.2.2009 along with other materials

to RBI seeking its views on the proposed action of supersession

and the RBI through its communications dated 17.4.2009,

3.6.2009 and 8.12.2009 had only directed the Joint Registrar to

indicate RBI of the action taken against the Board of Directors.

Consequently, the Joint Registrar was only required to inform

the RBI of the action taken against the Board of Directors.

Learned senior counsel also submitted that the charges levelled

against the Board of Directors were of serious nature and the

order of supersession was passed bona fide and in public

interest and the Division Bench of the High Court was not

justified in interfering with the order of supersession.

6.Shri V. K. Bali, learned senior counsel appearing for the

appellants in Civil Appeal No. ........... of 2013 [arising out of

SLP No. 13125 of 2012], also submitted that the charges

levelled against the Board of Directors were of serious nature

and there was sufficient materials to establish those charges

and the Joint Registrar has rightly passed the order of

supersession and appointed the Collector, Panna as an

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Administrator of the Bank. Learned senior counsel also pointed

out that the Joint Registrar had forwarded the show-cause-

notice as well as the connected materials to RBI and RBI had

failed to respond to the show-cause-notice within 30 days of

the receipt of the same and, therefore, it would be presumed

that RBI had agreed to the proposed action and the Joint

Registrar had rightly passed the order of supersession. Shri

Mahavir Singh, learned senior counsel appearing for the

Interveners also submitted that the High Court has committed

an error interfering with the order of supersession and, in any

view, if any of the parties were aggrieved, they ought to have

availed of the alternate remedy available under the Act.

7.Shri Vivek Tankha, learned senior counsel appearing for

the 1

st

respondent, submitted that the High Court has correctly

understood the scope of the second proviso to Section 53(1) of

the Act and rightly came to the conclusion that before passing

the order of supersession, there should be a meaningful

consultation with the RBI, therefore, the consultee could apply

its mind and form an independent opinion as to whether the

Board be superseded or not. Learned senior counsel submitted

that merely forwarding the show cause notice along with other

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relevant materials is not sufficient compliance of the second

proviso to Section 53(1) of the Act, so held by the Madhya

Pradesh High Court in several judgments. Learned senior

counsel submitted that the order of supersession was passed

by the Joint Registrar after a period of two and half years of the

issuance of the show-cause-notice and most of charges levelled

against the Board of Directors were related to the period when

the previous Committee was in office and even the charges

based on the Audit Report dated 25.9.2008 were also rectified

by the Board of Directors by addressing the primary societies.

Learned senior counsel also submitted that the order was

passed at the instance of respondents 2 and 3 herein on

extraneous considerations and was actuated by mala fide and

ulterior motive. Learned counsel submitted that the Joint

Registrar had acted under the political pressure and was not

exercising his powers in accordance with the provisions of the

Act and the order of supersession was passed to disqualify the

members of the Board of Directors from contesting the ensuing

election. Learned senior counsel prayed that the Board of

Directors be put back in office and be allowed to continue for

the period they were put out of office illegally.

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8.We heard learned counsel on either side at great length.

When the matter came up for hearing before us on 17.10.2012,

we passed the following order, the operative portion of which

reads as under:

“We are informed that the period of the Managing

Committee is already over and District Collector is

acting as the Administrator of the Cooperative Bank

vide this Court’s order dated 23.02.2012. However,

the legality of the order has to be tested. Before that

we feel it appropriate to place the entire material

before the Reserve Bank of India (for short, ‘RBI’)

(Respondent NO. 7) for its opinion as per Section 53 of

the Act. The RBI will take a final decision on that within

a period of two months and forward the opinion to the

Secretary General of this Court, who will place it before

the Court.”

RBI submitted its detailed report on 18.12.2012, in pursuance to

the order passed by this Court. RBI, referring to the second

proviso to Section 53(1) of the Act, took the view that the so-

called consultation made by the Joint Registrar cannot be

treated as previous consultation, as per law. RBI, after

examining all the documents made available by the Joint

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Registrar including the show-cause-notice, reply filed by the

Board of Directors opined as follows:

(i)The JRCS has alleged that Panna DCCB has not

deducted tax on the interest paid to the depositors.

In terms of the CBDT circular No. 9/2002 dated 11-9-

2002 tax is deductible at source from any payment of

income by way of interest other than income by way

of interest on securities. Clause (v) of sub-section (3)

of section 194A exempts such income credited or

paid by a co-operative society to a member thereof

from requirement of TDS. Clause (viia) of sub-section

(3) of section 194A exempts from the requirement of

TDS such income credited or paid in respect of

deposits (other than time deposits made on or after

1-7-1995) with a co-operative society engaged in

carrying on the business of banking. It is not clear

from observation of JRCS, Panna that the interest

accrued and paid was time deposit or saving bank

deposit account made after 01.07.1995.

(ii)The amount collected as VAT was not remitted to the

Government.

VAT is not applicable to the banking transactions.

Hence collection itself is not correct.

(iii)In terms of Audit para 21 of Audit Report for the FY

ended 2000-01, Panna DCCB in the year June 1997,

without the approval of PACS’ Committee had stored

pesticides. These medicines expired on December 98

and August 99. Despite expiry, stock of medicines

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worth Rs.16.28 lakh was left over which could not be

sold in the market. The amount should have been

recovered from the employees of the bank.

As per the reply furnished by the bank, the present

Board of Directors had initiated the process of

recovery of dues of which the major portion of

outstanding dues has already been recovered. The

bank is effecting recovery from its 39 employees

through monthly deductions of Rs.500 to Rs1000.

(iv)In terms of Audit para 32 of Audit Report for the FY

ended 2000-01, an outstanding amount of Rs23200/-

to be recovered from cashier Shri D.L. Tiwari is still

pending for recovery.

It is seen from the records that the bank has initiated

disciplinary proceedings against the erring employees

besides filing a recovery suit with Civil Court, Powai.

(v)In terms of Audit para 16 of Audit Report for the FY

ended 2000-01, Shri Jawaharlal Srivastav, Manager of

Laxmipur PACs had committed fraud of Rs.20.93 lacs

thereby misappropriated the bank’s funds. He has

been removed from services and an amount of

Rs.36,637/- has been recovered from his claims.

Bank vide its letter dated 15.02.2002 has written to

Kotwali Police Panna to register the case. No action

has been initiated by the present Board in the matter.

The Bank has already registered a case against Shri

Jawaharlal Srivastav. However, it appears from the

records and reply furnished by the bank that no

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effective steps were taken after 15.02.2002 to lodge

FIR in the matter. Even the present Board of

Directors apparently has not taken any effective

steps after it took over during the end of 2007.

(vi)In terms of Audit para 23 of Audit Report for the FY

ended 2000-01, reconciliation of entries in the books

of accounts of DCCB Panna was pending and it has

not been resolved.

Non-reconciliation of books by DCCB Panna is an

operational risk which has also been pointed out by

NABARD in its inspection reports for the FY 2008-

2009 and 2010-2011. Therefore, the compliance

submitted by the bank does not appear to be

satisfactory.

(vii)In terms of Audit para 13 of Audit Report for the FY

ended 2003-04, fraud in respect of 37 Managers to

the tune of Rs.43.34 lakh was mentioned and the

cases are still pending. 27 Employees have been

terminated from the services. Case against only one

employee has been registered with police and the

bank has not registered the cases against 27

employees.

From the records made available to us, we do not

observe any monitoring by JRCS, on the issue during

the intervening period. It is evident that this matter

was being discussed in the Board meetings of the

present Board, some amount was already recovered,

disciplinary action against the erring employees have

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been taken and the legal proceeding initiated against

them is also pending.

(viii)As mentioned in Audit Report for the FY ended 2006-

07, rectification of audit objections is not satisfactory.

No action was taken on most of the audit objections

and compliance submitted by the management is

mere eyewash.

Compliance to Audit Report is an ongoing process

which needs to be monitored on a continuous basis.

The table showing the allegations of the JRCS Panna,

comments of Panna DCCB and the observation of RBI

is enclosed herewith and marked as Exhibit – IX.

RBI, therefore, took the view that the deficiencies pointed out in

the show-cause-notice were general in nature and did not

warrant the supersession of the Board of Directors. RBI,

however, opined that it would be desirable that new election of

the Board of Directors be conducted in accordance with the

provisions of the Act and the Management of the Bank be

handed over to the newly elected body by the present

administrator.

Legal Framework

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9.The validity of the order of supersession has to be tested

under the legal framework in which the Cooperative Bank and

its controlling authorities have to function under the Act read

with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (for

short ‘RBI Act’), the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (for short

‘Regulation Act’), the Banking Law (Application to Cooperative

Societies) Act, 1965 (23 of 1976), the Deposit Insurance and

Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 (for short ‘DICGC Act’),

the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development Act,

1981 (for short ‘NABARD Act’) etc. Since the order impugned

results in the supersession of a body elected to achieve social

and economic democracy with emphasis on weaker sections of

the society, as the preamble of the Act depicts, a close look at

the powers of the functionaries instrumental in over-turning an

elected body is of paramount importance.

10.Co-operative philosophy on society must rest on free

universal association, democratically governed and conditioned

by equity and personal liberty. First legislation in India relating

to cooperative societies was the Co-operative Societies Act,

1904, established for the purpose of credit only, but to extend

the privilege of credit societies to other societies also a

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legislation with wider scope and object, that is Cooperative

Societies Act 1912, was passed which was applicable to the

whole of British India, which was a Central Act. Later, after

independence different States enacted separate Acts of which

we are in this case concerned with the 1960 Act in force in the

State of Madhya Pradesh.

11.We find, until the year 1965, the Cooperative Banks were

not being regulated by the RBI but it was felt necessary to bring

the cooperative societies carrying on the business of banking

within the purview of the Regulation Act. Since, large number

of cooperative societies were carrying on the banking business,

and also to ensure the growth of cooperative banking on sound

banking principles, the Parliament enacted the Act 23 of 1965,

called the Banking Law (Application to Cooperative Societies)

Act, 1965 and Part IV was introduced into the

Regulation Act w.e.f. 1.3.1966. Section 55 of Part V provides for

the application of the Regulation Act to Cooperative Banks.

Any existing co-operative bank at the time of the

commencement of the Act 23 of 1965 was required to apply

grant of license within a period of three months from the date of

the commencement of the Act and obtain a license from RBI

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under Section 22 of RBI Act. Every co-operative bank is also

obliged to comply with the provisions of the Regulation Act and

directions/guidelines issued by RBI from time to time.

12.We may, in this connection, refer to certain provisions of

the DICGC Act which also confers certain powers to the RBI to

supersede the committee of the management of the co-

operative Bank in public interest. The Act has been enacted to

provide for the establishment of a Corporation for the purpose

of insurance deposits and guaranteed credit facilities for allied

purposes. Section 3 of the Act has empowered the Central

Government to establish the Deposit Insurance Corporation, a

wholly owned subsidiary of RBI. Section 2(gg)(iii) of DICGC Act

states that “eligible co-operative bank” means a co-operative

bank, the law for the time being governing, which provides that:

“2(gg)(iii) If so required by the Reserve Bank of India

in the public interest or for preventing the affairs of the

bank being conducted in a manner detrimental to the

interest of the depositors or for securing the proper

management of the bank, an order shall be made for

the supersession of the committee of management or

other managing body (by whatever name called) of the

bank and the appointment of an administrator therefor

for such period or periods not exceeding five years in

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the aggregate as may from time to time be specified by

the Reserve Bank.”

RBI never thought it necessary to invoke the above mentioned

provision as against the first respondent. NABARD Act has been

enacted to provide and regulate credit facilities and for other

related and individual matters. Section 3 of the Act has

empowered the Central Government to establish such a

National Bank, i.e. NABARD. Section 35 of the Regulation Act

empowers the RBI to conduct inspection of the affairs of a

banking company. RBI has also got the power under Sub-

section (b) of Section 35 of the Regulation Act to authorise

NABARD to conduct inspection of the District Cooperative Bank.

13.Section 2(d) of the NABARD Act defines the term “Central

Co-operative Bank”. NABARD in exercise of the powers

conferred on it, is also authorised to conduct inspection on the

affairs of District Co-operative Banks.

14.We will now examine the scope of Section 53 of the Act,

especially the second proviso to Section 53(1) of the Act, in the

light of the above discussion. Section 53 relevant to our

purpose is given below:

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“53. Supersession of Board of Directors- (1) If in

the opinion of the Registrar the Board of Directors of

any society-(a) is negligent in the performance of the

duties imposed on it by or under this Act or byelaws of

the society or by any lawful order passed by the

Registrar or is unwilling to perform such duties; or

(b) commits acts which are prejudicial to the

interests of the society or its members; or

(c)violates the provisions of this Act or the

rules made thereunder or byelaws of the society or any

order passed by the Registrar. The Registrar may, by

order in writing remove the Board of Directors and

appoint a person or persons to manage the affairs of

the society for a specified period not exceeding two

years in the first instance:

Provided that if in opinion of the Registrar, the

Board of Directors of any Primary Agriculture Credit Co-

operative Society-

(i)incurs losses for three consecutive years; or

(ii)commits serious financial irregularities or

fraud is identified; or

(iii)there is perpetual lack of quorum in the

meetings of the Board of Directors.

The Registrar may, by order in writing remove the

Board of Directors an appoint a person or persons to

manage the affairs of the society for two months which

may be extended by him for such period not exceeding

six months for reasons to be recorded in writing:

Provided further that in case of Co-operative

Bank, the order of supersession shall not be passed

without previous consultation with the Reserve Bank;

Provided further that if no communication

containing the views of the Reserve Bank of India on

action proposed is received within thirty days of the

receipt by that bank of the request soliciting

consultation, it shall be presumed that the Reserve

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Bank of India agree with the proposed action and the

Registrar shall be free to pass such order as he may

deem fit.

Provided also that if a non-official is appointed in

the Board of Directors of a primary society, he shall be

from amongst the members of that society, entitled for

such representation and in case of central or Apex

society, if a person is appointed in the Board of

Directors of such society, he shall be a member of one

of its affiliated societies entitled for such

representation.

(2)No order under sub-section (1) shall be

passed unless a list of allegations, documents and

witnesses in support of charges levelled against it has

been provided and the Board of Directors has been

given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause

against the proposed order and representation, if any,

made by it, is considered.

xxx xxx xxx

xxx xxx xxx

(7) Before taking action under sub-section (1) in

respect of a financing bank or in respect of a society

indebted to a financing bank, the Registrar shall

consult, in the former case, the Madhya Pradesh State

Co-operative Bank Limited and, in the latter case, the

financing bank, counterved regarding such action. If

the Madhya Pradesh State Co-operative Bank Limited or

the financing bank, as the case may be, fails to

communicate its views within thirty days of the receipt

by such bank of the request soliciting consultation, it

shall be presumed that the Madhya Pradesh State Co-

operative Bank Limited or the financing bank, as the

case may be, agreed with the proposed action.”

Section 53 (1) confers powers on the Registrar to pass an order

to remove the Board of Directors and to appoint a person to

manage the affairs of the society, subject to certain conditions,

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of which, we are primarily concerned with the applicability of

the second proviso to Section 53(1), which specifically states

that in the case of a Co-operative Bank, the order of

supersession shall not be passed without previous consultation

with the RBI. The third proviso to Section 53 states that if no

communication containing the views of the RBI on the action

proposed is received within thirty days of the receipt by that

bank of the request soliciting consultation, it shall be presumed

that the RBI agreed with the proposed action and the Registrar

shall be free to pass such order, as he may deem fit. Sub-

section (2) to Section 53 of the Act specifically states that no

order under Sub-section (1) (order of supersession) shall be

passed unless a list of allegations, documents and witnesses in

support of charges levelled against it has been provided and

the Board of Directors has been given a reasonable opportunity

of showing cause against the proposed order and

representation, if any, made by it, is considered. The second

proviso to Section 53 (1) refers to the expression “order of

supersession”, means that the final order of supersession to be

passed by the Joint Registrar after complying with sub-section

(2) to Section 53. Second and third provisos, read together,

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would indicate that no order of supersession shall be passed

without previous consultation with the RBI. Before passing an

order of supersession, the show-cause-notice along with other

relevant materials, including the reply received from the bank,

has to be made available to the RBI for an effective

consultation.

15.We have already quoted the second proviso to Section

53(1), the meaning of which is clear and unambiguous which, in

our view, calls for no interpretation or explanation. In this

respect, reference to the often quoted principle laid down by

Tindal, C.J. in Sussex Peerage case (1844) 11 CIT F.85 is useful,

which reads as follows: “If the words of the Statute are in

themselves precise and unambiguous, then no more can be

necessary than to expound those words in the natural and

ordinary sense.” Reference may also be made to the

judgments of this Court in Lalu Prasad Yadav and Another

v. State of Bihar and Another (2009) 3 SCC 553 and Ansal

Properties and Industries Limited v. State of Haryana

and Another (2010) 5 SCC 1.

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16.The mere serving a copy of the show-cause-notice on RBI

with supporting documents is not what is contemplated under

the second proviso to Section 53(1). For a meaningful and

effective consultation, the copy of the reply filed by the Bank to

the various charges and allegations levelled against them

should also be made available to the RBI as well as the action

proposed by the Joint Registrar, after examining the reply

submitted by the Bank. On the other hand, RBI should be told

of the action the Joint Registrar is intending to take. Only then,

there will be an effective consultation and the views expressed

by the RBI will be a relevant material for deciding whether the

elected Board be superseded or not. In other words, the

previous consultation is a condition precedent before forming

an opinion by the Joint Registrar to supersede the Board of

Directors or not.

17.This Court in Indian Administrative Services (SCS)

Association, U.P. v. Union of India 1993 Supp (1) SCC 730,

has laid down six propositions while examining the meaning of

the expression ‘consultation’. We may add one more

proposition that when the outcome of the proposed action is to

oust a democratically elected body and the expression used is

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“shall not be passed without previous consultation”, it is to be

construed as mandatory. Reference may also be made to the

judgments of this Court in Reserve Bank of India v. Peerless

Company (1987) 2 SCR 1, State of Jammu and Kashmir v.

A.R. Zakki and Others 1992 Supp (1) SCC 548, Gauhati

High Court and Another v. Kuladhar Phkan and Another

(2002) 4 SCC 524, Andhra Bank v. Andhra Bank Officers

and Another (2008) 7 SCC 203.

Discussion

18.District Cooperative Bank, Panna (for short ‘Panna DCB”),

a Bank registered under the Act, was issued a license to

conduct the banking services in India by RBI on 3.6.2010 under

Section 22 of the Regulation Act. Panna DCB is a Central Co-

operative Bank as defined under Sub-section 2(d) of NABARD

Act. NABARD had conducted an inspection of the Panna DCB

under Section 35 of the Regulation Act, with reference to the

financial position as on 31.3.2007, when the previous Board was

in office and thirty six fraud cases at Primary Agricultural Credit

Societies (PACS) involving Rs.37.05 lacs had been reported.

Certain deficiencies in the bank’s functioning, like non-

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adherence to the provisions of the Income Tax Act, lack of

internal checks and control systems and unsatisfactory

compliance to their previous inspection report, had also found a

place in their inspection report, the copy of which was

forwarded to the RBI vide their communication dated 1.2.2008.

19.The Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies, as already

stated, issued a notice to Panna DCB to show cause as to why

the Board of Directors be not superseded and an Administrator

be appointed. The show-cause-notice was sent to the RBI,

which RBI received on 4.3.2009. RBI vide its letter dated

17.4.2009 requested the Joint Registrar to inform the action

being taken on the reply submitted by the Board of Directors of

Panna DCB. RBI vide its letter dated 30.3.2009 forwarded the

copy of the show-cause-notice to the Chief General Manager,

NABARD for their comments. Since, NABARD had conducted

inspection of Panna DCB under Section 35 of the Regulation Act,

NABARD vide its letter dated 29.6.2009 informed the same to

the RBI and also opined as follows:

“..... We are of the view that the deficiencies mostly

relating to systems and procedures are of general

nature, which do not provide strong ground for

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supersession of the Board as far as the inspection by

NABARD is concerned.”

20.RBI, again, vide its letter dated 3.6.2009 wrote to the Joint

Registrar to inform RBI the outcome of the reply submitted by

the Bank to the show-cause-notice. RBI, then sent a reminder

on 22.7.2009 to the Joint Registrar, since no reply was received.

RBI, it is seen has received a reply from the Joint Registrar on

10.8.2009. RBI, then sent a communication to the Joint

Registrar vide its letter dated 8.5.2009 to know the action taken

on the reply submitted by the Board of Directors. The Joint

Registrar then sent a detailed reply dated 19.8.2009 to the RBI

stating that in the case of a Co-operative Bank, order of

supersession would not be issued without previous consultation

with RBI, however, if no communication containing the views of

RBI on the action was received within 30 days, it should be

presumed that the RBI had agreed to the proposed action and

the Registrar would be free to pass orders as might be deemed

fit. It was further stated that in the case of District Co-operative

Bank, the powers under Section 53(2) of the Act are vested with

the Regional Joint Registrar and notice issued by the Joint

Registrar was not sent for the opinion of the State Government.

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Further, it was also pointed out that the Bank had submitted its

reply on 8.5.2009 and internal decision would be taken as per

the legal provisions and RBI would be informed accordingly.

Yet, another letter dated 24.12.2009 was also received by the

RBI, wherein it was stated that the hearing was going on and

the RBI would be informed of the final decision. Later, without

informing the RBI of the proposed action and also without

forwarding the reply submitted by Panna DCB to the show-

cause-notice to RBI, the order of supersession dated 30.9.2011

was passed by the Joint Registrar.

21.We find seven charges levelled against the Board of

Directors were relating to the period of the previous Committee,

for which the first respondent Board of Directors could not be

held responsible. Further, even though the Board had taken

charge in October 2007, the audit report was submitted before

the Board only after nine months and that the Board of

Directors took follow up action on the basis of the audit report

dated 25.9.2008. The Joint Registrar, it seems, was found to be

satisfied with the detailed replies dated 6.5.2009 and

16.5.2011submitted by the Board of Directors of the Bank,

possibly, due to that reason, even though the show-cause-

Page 26 26

notice was issued on 22.3.2009, it took about two and half

years to pass the order of supersession.

22.We are of the view that the order of supersession dated

30.9.2011 is not only in clear violation of the second proviso to

Section 53(1) of the Act, but also the allegations raised in the

show-cause-notice are deficiencies mostly relating to systems

and procedures and are of general nature and not grave

enough to overthrow a democratically elected Board of

Directors. Both NABARD and RBI have expressed the view that

the charges levelled against the Board of Directors do not

provide strong ground to supersede the Board.

23.Learned senior counsel Shri Vivek Tankha submitted that

since the Board of Directors was superseded illegally, they, be

put back in office and allow to continue, for the period they

were put out of office. We find force in that contention,

especially in view of the views expressed by NABARD as well as

RBI and the fact that the Joint Registrar himself had passed the

order of supersession only after two and half years of the date

of issuance of the show-cause-notice.

24.The legislative intention is clear from the following

statutory provisions. The statute has fixed the term of an

Page 27 27

elected Board of Directors as five years from the date on which

first meeting of Board of Directors is held. Once a Board of

Directors is illegally superseded, suspended or removed, the

legislature in its wisdom ordained that the Board should

complete their full term of five years, because electorate has

elected the Board for five years. The proviso to Section 49(7A)

(i) reads as follows:

“7A(i) The term of the Board of Directors shall

be five years from the date on which first meeting of

the Board of Directors is held:

Provided that where a Board of Directors

superseded, suspended or removed under the Act is

reinstated as a result of any order of any Court or

authority, the period during which the Board of

Directors remained under supersession, suspension out

of office, as the case may be, shall be excluded in

computing the period of the term aforesaid.”

25.The Board of Directors, in the instant case, took charge on

16.10.2007, therefore, they could continue in office till

15.10.2012. The Board of Directors was, however, superseded

illegally on 30.9.2011 and, by virtue of the judgment of the

Division Bench of the High Court dated 13.2.2012, the Board

should have been put back in office on 13.2.2012, but an

Administrator was appointed. Going by the proviso referred to

above, the period during which the Board of Directors remained

Page 28 28

under supersession be excluded in computing the period of five

years. In the facts and circumstances of this case, we are of

the considered opinion that the duly elected Board of Directors

should get the benefit of that proviso, which is statutory in

nature.

26.In such circumstances, we direct the Joint Registrar, Co-

operative Societies, Sagar to put the Board of Directors back in

office so as to complete the period during which they were out

of office.

27.The High Court, in our view, has therefore rightly exercised

its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and the

alternative remedy of appeal is not bar in exercising that

jurisdiction, since the order passed by the Joint Registrar was

arbitrary and in clear violation of the second proviso to Section

53(1) of the Act.

28.We are of the view that this situation has been created by

the Joint Registrar and there is sufficient evidence to conclude

that he was acting under extraneous influence and under

dictation. A legally elected Board of Directors cannot be put

out of the office in this manner by an illegal order. If the

Page 29 29

charges levelled against the Board of Directors, in the instant

case, were serious, then the Joint Registrar would not have

taken two and half years to pass the order of supersession.

State of Madhya Pradesh did not show the grace to accept the

judgment of the Division Bench of the High Court and has

brought this litigation to this Court spending huge public

money, a practice we strongly deprecate.

Registrar/Joint Registrar and External Influence :

29.Statutory functionaries like Registrar/Joint Registrar of Co-

operative Societies functioning under the respective Co-

operative Act must be above suspicion and function

independently without external pressure. When an authority

invested with the power purports to act on its own but in

substance the power is exercised by external guidance or

pressure, it would amount to non-exercise of power, statutorily

vested. Large number of cases are coming up before this Court

and the High Courts in the country challenging the orders of

supersession and many of them are being passed by the

statutory functionaries due to external influence ignoring the

fact that they are ousting a democratically elected Board, the

consequence of which is also grave because the members of

Page 30 30

the Board of Directors would also stand disqualified in standing

for the succeeding election as well.

30.The Registrar/Joint Registrar, while exercising powers of

supersession has to form an opinion and that opinion must be

based on some objective criteria, which has nexus with the final

decision. A statutory authority shall not act with pre-conceived

notion and shall not speak his masters’ voice, because the

formation of opinion must be his own, not somebody else in

power, to achieve some ulterior motive. There may be

situations where the Registrar/Joint Registrar are expected to

act in the best interest of the society and its members, but in

such situations, they have to act bona fide and within the four

corners of the Statute. In our view, the impugned order will not

fall in that category.

Judicial Precedents

31.Registrar/Joint Registrar is bound to follow the Judicial

Precedents. Ratio decidendi has the force of law and is binding

on all statutory authorities when they deal with similar issues.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court in several judgments has

Page 31 31

explained the scope of the second proviso to Section 53(1) of

the Act. Reference may be made to the judgments in

Radheshyam Sharma v. Govt. of M.P. through C.K.

Jaiswal and Ors. 1972 MPLJ 796, Board of Directors of Shri

Ganesh Sahakari Vipnan (Marketing) Sanstha Maryadit

and Another v. Deputy Registrar, Co-operative

Societies, Khargone and Others 1982 MPLJ 46 and Sitaram

v. Registrar of Co-operative Societies and another 1986

MPLJ 567.

32.We fail to see why the Joint Registrar has overlooked those

binding judicial precedents and the ratio decidendi. Judicial

rulings and the principles are meant to be followed by the

statutory authorities while deciding similar issues based on the

legal principles settled by judicial rulings. Joint Registrar, while

passing the impugned order, has overlooked those binding

judicial precedents.

33We fail to notice why the State Government, Department

of Co-operative Societies has taken so much interest in this

litigation. Joint Registrar in his letter dated 19.8.2009 to RBI

stated that in the case of District Co-operative Bank, the powers

Page 32 32

under Section 53(2) of the Act are vested with Regional Joint

Registrar and the notice issued by the Joint Registrar is not

meant for the opinion of the State Government. Assuming, the

State Government has powers under Section 49-C of the Act, no

report has been forwarded by the Registrar to the State

Government and no direction have been issued by the State

Government with regard to the supersession of the Board.

Sorry so note that the State Government has spent huge public

money by litigating this matter even up to this Court, that too,

without following the binding precedents of the Madhya Pradesh

High Court on the scope of the second proviso to Section 53(1)

of the Act.

34.In such circumstances of the case, we are inclined to

dismiss both the appeals with costs directing re-instatement of

the first respondent Board of Directors back in office forthwith

and be allowed to continue for the period they were put out of

office by the impugned order which has been quashed. We also

direct the State of Madhya Pradesh to pay an amount of

Rs.1,00,000/- to the Madhya Pradesh Legal Services Authority

within a period of one month by way of costs and also impose a

cost of Rs.10,000/- as against the Joint Registrar, Co-operative

Page 33 33

Societies, Sagar, the officer who passed the order, which will be

deducted from his salary and be deposited in the Panna DCB

within a period of two months from today. Ordered accordingly.

35.Further, we are inclined to give the following general

directions in view of the mushrooming of cases in various

Courts challenging orders of supersession of elected

Committees:

(1)Supersession of an elected managing Committee/Board is

an exception and be resorted to only in exceptional

circumstances and normally elected body be allowed to

complete the term for which it is elected.

(2)Elected Committee in office be not penalised for the short-

comings or illegalities committed by the previous Committee,

unless there is any deliberate inaction in rectifying the

illegalities committed by the previous committees.

(3)Elected Committee in Office be given sufficient time, say

at least six months, to rectify the defects, if any, pointed out

in the audit report with regard to incidents which originated

when the previous committee was in office.

(4)Registrar/Joint Registrar are legally obliged to comply with

all the statutory formalities, including consultation with the

Page 34 34

financing banks/Controlling Banks etc. Only after getting

their view, an opinion be formed as to whether an elected

Committee be ousted or not.

(5)Registrar/ Joint Registrar should always bear in mind the

consequences of an order of supersession which has the

effect of not only ousting the Board out of office, but also

disqualify them for standing for election in the succeeding

elections. Registrar/Joint Registrar therefore is duty bound to

exercise his powers bona fide and not on the dictation or

direction of those who are in power.

(6)Registrar/Joint Registrar shall not act under political

pressure or influence and, if they do, be subjected to

disciplinary proceedings and be also held personally liable for

the cost of the legal proceedings.

(7)Public money not to be spent by the State Government or

the Registrar for unnecessary litigation involving disputes

between various factions in a co-operative society. Tax

payers money is not expected to be spent for settling those

disputes. If found necessary, the same be spent from the

funds available with the concerned Bank.

Page 35 35

………………………… ..J.

(K.S. Radhakrishnan)

………………………… ..J.

(Dipak Misra)

New Delhi,

May 16, 2013