S.B. Sinha, J. - (1.) This writ petition by way of a public interest litigation has been filed by the petitioner herein who happened to be a Director of Jhargram People Cooperative Bank Limited claiming inter alia the following reliefs : "(a) A Writ of and/or in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents particularly the respondent Nos. 2, 3 and 4 to enquire into the financial irregularities and/or abuse of huge public money in Jhargram People's Co-operative Bank. P.C.- Jhargram, Dist. Midnapore. (b) A Writ of and/or in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents particularly the respondent Nos. 2, 3 and 4 to take appropriate steps to stop the misuse and/or abuse of huge amount of public money in Jhargram People's Cooperative Bank, P.O. Jhargram, Dist. Midnapore. (c) A Writ of and/or in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondent Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9 to show-cause as to why no audit has yet been completed after 1990-91."
(2.) By an order dated 14.7.1999 this Court directed the Registrar of Co- operative Societies to make an inspection and file a report in particular with reference to Annexure 'H' to the writ application which was a letter addressed to the said authority by the petitioner herein alleging various acts of emissions and commissions as against the respondents Co-operative Societies, inter alia, highlighting illegal loans sanctioned by the Board of Directors of the Co-operative Society as also non-initiation of appropriate proceedings for recovery thereof.
(3.) In terms of the aforementioned order the Registrar, Co- operative Society filed a report on 1.9.99 wherein, inter alia, it was found : "(i) During the year 1998-99 the society had advanced Rs. 77.60 Lacs. The society could collect Rs. 41.25 lacs against a demand of Rs. 75.00 lacs in the year 1998-99. The total loan outstanding as on 31st March, 1999 are reported to be at Rs. 155.49 lacs. (ii) The society has filed 149 cases U/s. 128 of West Bengal Co- operative Societies Act, 1983 covering Rs. 15.74 Lacs and 72 Certificate cases covering Rs. 6.87 lacs of the overdue amount. These figures appear to be negligible when one considers the fact that the total loan outstanding is Rs. 155.49 lacs.";