- (1.) Prem Chand Gupta has filed this petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, for the issuance of an appropriate writ, order or direction, quashing the order of the Assistant Registrar, Co- operative Societies, Ambala, dated 25th June, 1973, copy Annexure "C" to the petition, by which the nomination papers were rejected. The relevant facts which are necessary for the decision of the point agitated before me read as under :- The petitioner is a member of the Rama Moulding Works Agricultural Implements Production Cooperative Industrial Society Ambala Cantt (hereinafter referred to as the Rama Society). The election to the Board of Directors of the Ambala Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Ambala (hereinafter referred to as the Cooperative Bank) was ordered to be held by the Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Haryana, Chandigarh. The election was to be held on 10th May, 1973. The petitioner filed his nomination papers to contest the office as one of Directors of the Cooperative Bank. The said nomination papers were rejected by the Assistant Registrar, who was the Returning Officer, on the ground which is reproduced below :- "Your nomination papers are rejected on the grounds that you are member of the Ashoka Furniture-cum-Steel Jute Matting Coop. Industrial Society which is a defaulter society as per list provided by the Ambala Central Coop. Bank Ltd., Ambala City and therefore you are not eligible for contesting the election under Rule 25(a) of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Rules, 1963. 2. Your nomination papers as representative of the Ambala Cantt. Ghee Makers Coop. Industrial Society is also rejecting on the above grounds."
(2.) As earlier observed, the petitioner by way of this petition, has challenged the order of the Returning Officer, rejecting his nomination papers.
(3.) Separate written statements have been filed on behalf of respondents Nos. 2 and 3,4 and 5.;