THOKCHOM BIREN SINGH & 6 ORS. Vs. STATE OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Ms. Th. Babita, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. Sukumar, learned G.A. appears on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 to 6.

(2.) It is the case of the petitioners that the Manipur State Cooperative Bank Ltd. is a society registered under the Manipur Cooperative Societies Act, 1976 and is run and managed by a Board of Management consisting of members duly elected from amongst the members of the Society. The term of such Board of Management is for 3 (three) years. The term of the last Board of Management expired in January, 2018. Thereafter, a new Board of Management was supposed to be constituted. However, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies Manipur/respondent No. 6 issued an Order dated 25.01.2018 appointing Board of Administrators of Manipur State Cooperative Bank Ltd. for a period of 3 (three) months or till a new Board of Directors is elected whichever is earlier. Thereafter, by another Order dated 17.07.2018, the respondent No. 6 further extended the tenure of the Board of Administrators for a period of 3 (three) months or till a new Board of Director is elected whichever is earlier. By another Order dated 19.10.2018 the respondent No. 6 further extended the tenure of the Board of Administrators of Manipur State Cooperative Bank Ltd., Imphal for a period of 1 (one) month or till the new elected Board take charge of the management of the Bank. However, till date no election has taken place and being aggrieved, the petitioners filed a representation dated 20.02.2019 before the Principal Secretary (Cooperation), Government of Manipur/respondent No. 1 for electing new Board of Administrator of Manipur State Co-Operative Bank Ltd. However, as no steps have been taken, the petitioners have filed the present writ petition.

(3.) After hearing the learned counsel appearing for both the parties and considering the fact that the representation dated 20.02.2019 is pending before the respondent No. 1, this writ petition is disposed of at the motion stage with a direction to the respondent No. 1 to consider and dispose of the representation dated 20.02.2019 by a speaking Order and in accordance with law within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of the Order of this Court.