(1.) The contour of the facts, which requires to be noticed for the limited purpose of deciding the core controversy, involved in the instant writ petition and emanating from the record, is that Petitioner Harbans Singh was working as a Secretary of the Rani Majra Jadid Cooperative Agricultural Service Society Limited, Rani Majra (for brevity "the Cooperative Society") since 1.10.1978. The Cooperative Society is registered under the provisions of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 (hereinafter to be referred as "the Act"). There was no complaint whatsoever against his functioning, rather his work and conduct was stated to have been appreciated by the higher authorities from time to time. His conditions of service are governed by the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Service Societies Rules, 1997 (hereinafter to be referred as "the Service Rules").
(2.) The case set up by the Petitioner, in brief in so far as relevant, was that due to party faction in the Managing Committee of the Cooperative Society, a complaint was filed before the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab (Respondent No. 2), in which, the inquiry was held by the Additional Registrar. The Enquiry Officer found the Petitioner guilty of charge Nos. 1 to 3, 6 and 7, by virtue of enquiry report dated 9.5.2003 (Annexure P2). The five members of (competent authority) Committee accepted the report of the Enquiry Officer and awarded a punishment of stoppage of four increments with cumulative effect to the Petitioner, by way of resolution/order dated 7.6.2003 (Annexure P3), while four members recorded their dissenting note.
(3.) Not only that, Ujagar Singh and Ors. dissenting members, filed a revision petition, challenging the resolution (Annexure P3) under section 69 of the Act, which was accepted by the Additional Registrar, Cooperative Societies, the matter was remanded back on technical grounds, by means of order dated 24.7.2003 (Annexure P4).