High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeDismissed

W.P.(C) No. 34804 of 2023

Case / Petition Number:W.P.(C) No.34804/2023

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • N. Nagareesh
Judgment Date
2023-11-02
Court Decision / Holding
The writ petition is dismissed. The court holds that, given the existence of an adequate remedy under Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969, and the absence of demonstrated gross illegality justifying interference, the High Court should not entertain a challenge to nomination acceptance. It notes that the disputed issues are questions of factual veracity to be resolved through the established arbitration/section 69 mechanism, and not via a writ petition at this stage. The court emphasizes maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and refrains from issuing directions that would disrupt the ongoing election process; the matter is left open for resolution under the statutory dispute-resolution framework.
Final Disposition
Dismissed

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Advocate Rajesh Kumar C.
  • Shaji P. John
  • Kaladharan Pillai
  • George V. Scaria
  • Varghese M. A. Alex
  • K.A. Abraham
  • Saji Chakkumoottil
  • Minimol Jose
  • Advocate K. Sivadasan Nair

Respondents

  • Prasad M. Cherian
  • Soman T.J
  • Prakash Babu Thekkedathu
  • Reji Kuruvila
  • Ajayakumar V.G.
  • Manu Soman
  • Shibu Varghese
  • Ponnamma
  • V.K. Kurian
  • State Co-operative Election Commission
  • The Returning Officer and Unit Inspector
  • Thiruvalla Primary Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Ltd.

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Nisha George
  • • Anshin K.K George Poonthottam (Sr.)

Counsels for Respondents

  • • C.M. Nazar
  • • T.P. Pradeep
  • • Arun Chandran
  • • Minikumary M.V.
  • • P.K. Sathees Kumar
  • • R.K. Prasanth
  • • Jijo Joseph

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition, filed by nine members and candidates (petitioners) of the 12th respondent Thiruvalla Primary Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, challenges the Returning Officer’s acceptance of nominations of respondents 1–9 for the Bank’s upcoming Managing Committee elections. The petition asserts that the term of the Managing Committee ends on 23.11.2023 and the polling was slated for 03.11.2023. After scrutiny, 28 names were published from 30 nominations; Ext.P4 indicates respondents 1–9 are either defaulters or disqualified under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, Rules, and the Bank’s Bye-laws. Petitioners contend respondents 1–6 contest the Loanee/Borrower constituency despite not having any loans; respondents 7–8 are in default and subject to arbitration; respondent 9 sought to contest from the Depositors’ Constituency but did not possess the required deposit until after a direction by the Returning Officer. Clause 23(1) of Ext.P5 (Bye-laws) reserves seven seats for borrowing members, and Rule 44(1)(c)(i) of the Rules purportedly disqualifies the others. The petition seeks to quash the nominations on grounds of illegality and disqualification. Respondents contend eligibility under Rule 35A(4) and that the petition is not maintainable; alternate remedy under Section 69 is available. The court ultimately dismisses the petition, holding that Section 69 provides a remedy and extraordinary interference is unwarranted.

Provisions of Law Cited

Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969Kerala Co-operative Societies RulesRule 44(1)(c)(i) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies RulesRule 35A(4) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies RulesClause 23(1) of Ext.P5 By-lawsSection 28(1)(1C) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Rule of law
  • Fairness, non-arbitrariness and reasonableness
  • Courts may intervene in cases of gross illegality in statutory power
  • Alternate remedy through Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend that respondents 1–9 are ineligible for election to the Managing Committee. Respondents 1–6 allegedly contest the loanees’ constituency despite not having any loans from the Bank, rendering them ineligible under Clause 23(1) of Ext.P5 Bye-laws and Rule 44(1)(c)(i) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules. Respondents 7–8 are claims of default/arbitration, which are disqualifications under the Bank’s rules. Respondent 9 sought to contest from the Depositors’ Constituency but initially lacked the required deposit; deposition occurred only after the Returning Officer’s direction on 17.10.2023. Petitioners argue that acceptance of such nominations corrupts the election process and undermines the Bank’s governance. They rely on Abraham v. Returning Officer (reiterating court intervention for illegality) and on Prodair to show that gross illegality can justify court interference despite an alternate remedy. The petition prays for quashing of nominations or for a fair, compliant electoral process, and cites Section 69 as the intended remedy route, though the court ultimately favors Section 69 proceedings over extraordinary writs.

Contentions of Respondents

Respondents submit that all nominees are eligible under the relevant rules; 1–9 are A-Class Members with requisite shares and eligibility under Rule 35A(4). It is claimed there was no notice of default against respondents 7–8, no awards essential to declare default status, and deposit for the 9th was accepted only after the Returning Officer’s directions. They argue scrutiny is an intrinsic part of the election process and that writ petitions challenging nomination acceptance are not maintainable; the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act provides a specific remedy under Section 69 for election disputes. They rely on Shaji K. Joseph and Shri Sant Sadguru Janardan Swami to support the stance that courts should avoid interfering mid-election and disputes should be resolved post-election, or through the specified statutory mechanism.

Cited Precedents (11)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Prodair Air products India Private Limited v. State of Kerala2023 (3) KHC 1Mentioned OnlyCited to illustrate that gross illegality may justify intervention but not applied as a binding solution in this case.
Abraham v. Returning Officer1993 (1) KLT 548PositiveDivisional Bench held that High Court may intervene in nomination rejection if perverse/arbitrary; used to support petitioners’ approach.
W.P.(C) No.31646 of 202331646/2023PositiveDivision Bench held that permitting ineligible candidates undermines election integrity; used to bolster concerns about process.
Suleman Fakhruddin Ansari v. S. B. KulkarniAIR 1963 Bom 183PositiveIntervention prior to election when grounds are inadequate; supports timely correction of nominations.
Shri Sant Sadguru Janardan Swami (Moingiri Maharaj) Sahakari Dugdha Utpadak Sanstha v. State of Maharashtra(2001) 8 SCC 509Mentioned OnlyArgued that scrutiny is part of election process; not adopted as a direct maintenance rule for writ petitions.
Shaji K. Joseph v. V. Viswanath(2016) 4 SCC 429Mentioned OnlyApex Court noted that courts should generally avoid interfering in ongoing elections; cited as a caution against mid-process intervention.
Subramanian v. Devicolam Taluk Plantation Workers Co-op. Credit Society2004 (3) KLT SN 145PositiveHeld that Section 69 provides a remedy for election-related disputes; supports resort to statutory remedy.
Jayavarma K. v. State Co-operative Election Commission and others2017 (1) KLT 921Mentioned OnlyCited in context of remedies but not applied as direct authority to grant relief in this case.
Kuttiyachan Joseph and another v. P.V.Manoharan and others2018 (3) KLT 631Mentioned OnlyCited for discussions on election dispute remedies under KCS Act rather than to grant relief here.
Chala Farmers Welfare Co-operative Society v. Sahadevan2020 (2) KLT 531Mentioned OnlyCited regarding the scope of Section 69 remedies; not a direct basis for the decision.
Raghubhai Munjibhai Mungra v. Jamnagar District Co-operative Bank Ltd. and othersAIR 2020 Guj 185Mentioned OnlyGujarat High Court decision cited as comparative authority on election disputes and remedies.

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Extracted Judgment Text

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## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **THURSDAY, THE 2[ND] DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023/11TH KARTHIKA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 34804 OF 2023** ## **PETITIONERS:** - **1 ADVOCATE RAJESH KUMAR C. AGED 51 YEARS S/O G.C.S PILLAI, SREEVILASAM, CHATHANKERI, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **2 SHAJI P. JOHN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P.V. JOHN, PARAYATHUKATTIL HOUSE, PALIYEKKARA, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN-689101** - **3 KALADHARAN PILLA, AGED 59 YEARS S/O. KOCHUKUNJU PILLA, EDAYILE VEEDU, THENGELI, KUTTOOR P.O., THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN-689101** - **4 GEORGE V. SCARIA, AGED 72 YEARS S/O. V. ZACHARIAH, VATTAMPARAMBIL HOUSE, KADAPRA, KUMBANDAD, KOIPPRAM, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT-689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **5 VARGHESE M. ALEX, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. M.V. ALEXANDER, MANALEL, CHEMMARAPPALLIL, NIRANAM, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689145** W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 2 : - **6 K.A. ABRAHAM, AGED 72 YEARS S/O. K.J. ABRAHAM, RESIDING AT KUNNUKANDATHIL, KUTTOOR, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **7 SAJI CHAKKUMMOOTTIL, AGED 58 YEARS S/O. C.M. JOHN, CHAKKUMMOOTTIL HOUSE, ERAVIPEROOR, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN-689101** - **8 MINIMOL JOSE, AGED 52 YEARS W/O. JOSE, THUMBOLIL HOUSE, MEPRAL, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **9 ADVOCATE K. SIVADASAN NAIR AGED 74 YEARS** - **S/O. M.P. KESAVA PILLA, MELETHIL SIVAMADAM, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER AND CANDIDATE, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** **BY ADVS. NISHA GEORGE ANSHIN K.K GEORGE POONTHOTTAM (SR.)** ## **RESPONDENTS:** - **1 PRASAD M. CHERIAN RESIDING AT MANNUVERIL , ALUMTHURUTHI P.O., THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689113, MEMBER THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 3 : - **2 SOMAN T.J. RESIDING AT THAMARACHALIL, ALUMTHURUTHY P.O., THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689113, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **3 PRAKASH BABU THEKKEDATHU VEEDU, MUTHOOR P.O., THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT -689101, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN-689101** - **4 REJI KURUVILA RESIDING AT KALLUPURAKKAL, THURUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT- 689101, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN-689101** - **5 AJAYAKUMAR V.G. RESIDING AT KEEZHTHALA VEEDU, KUTTOOR P.O., THALAYAR, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **6 MANU SOMAN RESIDING AT ILANJIMOOTTIL PARAMBIL KUTTUPUZHA, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **7 SHIBU VARGHESE RESIDING AT THOPPIL HOUSE, PARUMALA P.O. THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689101, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 4 : - **8 PONNAMMA RESIDING AT EDAYATTUPARAMBIL, KARAKKAL, PERINGARA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT - 689108, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **9 V.K. KURIAN RESIDING AT AYYANCHERIL HOUSE, NEDUMPURAM P.O., THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA, MEMBER, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **10 STATE CO-OPERATIVE ELECTION COMMISSION 3RD FLOOR, CO BANK TOWERS, VIKAS BHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY., PIN - 695033** - **11 THE RETURNING OFFICER AND UNIT INSPECTOR OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD., NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, PIN - 689101** - **12 THIRUVALLA PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LTD. NO. A159, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY., PIN - 689101** **BY ADVS. SRI.C.M.NAZAR, R10 T.P.PRADEEP, R1 TO R9 ARUN CHANDRAN, R12 MINIKUMARY M.V.(K/118/2019) P.K.SATHEES KUMAR(K/607/2012) R.K.PRASANTH(K/000475/2017) JIJO JOSEPH(K/000402/2022)** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 02.11.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 5 : ## **CR** ## **N. NAGARESH, J.** ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ## W.P.(C) No.34804 of 2023 ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` _Dated this the 2[nd] day of November, 2023_ ## **J U D G M E N T** ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The petitioners, who are members of the 12[th] respondent-Primary Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, Thiruvalla, have filed this writ petition seeking to call for the records leading to the acceptance of nominations of respondents 1 to 9 as their names were reflected in Exts.P3 and P7 by issuing a writ quashing the acceptance of their nominations. 2. The term of the Managing Committee of the 12[th] respondent-Bank is to expire on 23.11.2023. Ext.P1 W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 6 : Notification for election to the Managing Committee of the Bank was published and the polling is scheduled to be held on 03.11.2023. The petitioners state that 30 nominations were received. After scrutiny, the Returning Officer published final list, which contained 28 names. 3. The petitioners state that after the publication of Ext.P2 list, the Returning Officer enquired with the Secretary of the Bank regarding the loan outstanding position of the candidates and matters as regards their qualification to contest in election. The Secretary provided Ext.P4 information to the Returning Officer which showed that respondents 1 to 9 are either in default or suffer other disqualifications in terms of the provisions of the Kerala Cooperative Societies Act, the Rules and the Bye-laws of the Bank. The petitioners would urge that going by the information provided by the Secretary, acceptance of the nominations of respondents 1 to 9 by the Returning Officer is illegal and it is an improper exercise of power. W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 7 : 4. The petitioners state that respondents 1 to 6 are candidates contesting from the constituency of persons who have taken loans from the Society. Respondents 1 to 6 have not taken any loan from the Society. Therefore, respondents 1 to 6 are ineligible to file nominations from the loanees' constituency. Respondents 7 and 8 are in default to the Society and arbitration proceedings have been initiated against them. Such candidates are disqualified from contesting or being appointed as Members of the Board of Directors of Co-operative Society under Rule 44(1)(c) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules. 5. The petitioners further submit that one seat in the Managing Committee of each Society shall be reserved for members having a deposit of ₹10,000/- and above, as per Section 28(1)(1C) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act. The 9[th] respondent does not have any deposit in the Bank. Still, his nomination was accepted without regard to the objection raised by the 1[st] petitioner at the time of scrutiny. W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 8 : 6. It is urged that election is notified to fill the 13 vacancies in the Board of Directors of the Bank. The nominations submitted by nine candidates are liable to be rejected. Any election with such huge number of candidates, who are disqualified for contesting elections, would render the election process a farce. 7. Respondents 1 to 9 resisted the writ petition filing counter affidavit. The respondents submitted that the writ petition itself is not maintainable as the petitioners have an efficacious alternative remedy to approach the Co-operative Arbitration Court under Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, for redressal of their grievance. 8. On behalf of respondents 1 to 9, it is submitted that they are eligible A Class Members of the Bank holding requisite minimum number of shares of the Bank. They all are eligible to contest in the forthcoming election by virtue of Rule 35A(4) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules. Respondents 1, 7 and 8 have not received any notice from the Bank informing them about the defaulted loan amounts. W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 9 : No award was passed against them by the competent authority. The notices in the execution petitions are illegal and are without passing any award for the defaulted loan amounts. 9. The respondents further submitted that the 9[th] respondent approached the Secretary of the Bank on 13.10.2023 to deposit ₹10,000/- in his account for contesting the constituency of depositors. However, the Secretary was not ready to accept the deposit. The 9[th] respondent has preferred a complaint in this regard to the Returning Officer on 13.10.2023 itself. 10. The Returning Officer directed the Secretary to accept the deposit of the 9[th] respondent and consequently on 17.10.2023, the Secretary of the Bank accepted ₹10,000/- as deposit from the 9[th] respondent. Therefore, acceptance of nomination of the 9[th] respondent against depositors constituency, cannot be termed as illegal. At any rate, as the petitioners have alternate remedy to redress their grievances, this Court should not exercise the discretionary W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 10 : power under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition is therefore liable to be dismissed, contended respondents 1 to 9. 11. Relying on the judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in _**Prodair Air products India Private Limited v. State of Kerala** [2023 (3) KHC 1]_ , the Senior Counsel assisted by the counsel for the petitioners argued that when gross illegalities are at large, existence of alternate remedy should not be a bar to entertain a writ petition. The need for upholding the rule of law would mandate that the High Court decides the matter in situations where the exercise of statutory power does not conform to the requirements of fairness, non-arbitrariness and reasonableness. 12. The Senior Counsel argued that in the judgment in _**Abraham v. Returning Officer** [1993 (1) KLT 548]_ , a Division Bench of this Court has held that in case of rejection of nominations by Returning Officer in an election, the High Court can interfere and issue a writ of certiorari, if there is an error apparent on the face of the record and if the rejection W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 11 : was perverse and wholly arbitrary. The same principle can be followed in the case of any illegal acceptance of an invalid nomination, contended the Senior Counsel. 13. Relying on the judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in W.P.(C) No.31646 of 2023, the learned Senior Counsel pointed out that this Court has held that in case an ineligible person is permitted to contest the elections, the integrity of the elections would stand compromised and that there is no provision for conduct of any by-election if the candidate is elected and later found to be ineligible. 14. The Senior Counsel relied on a Division Bench judgment of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in _**Suleman Fakhruddin Ansari v. S. B. Kulkarni** [AIR 1963 Bom 183]_ wherein the Hon'ble Bombay High Court has held that if a Returning Officer rejects a nomination on wholly inadequate grounds, it would save public time and money, as well as expense, inconvenience and hardship to the parties, if the Returning Officer's action is corrected before the election takes place. Since the election to the respondent-Bank is yet W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 12 : to take place, this Court can interfere in the matter in exercise of the powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, contended the Senior Counsel. 15. The counsel for the respondents, on the other hand, relied on the judgment of the Apex Court in _**Shri Sant Sadguru Janardan Swami (Moingiri Maharaj) Sahakari Dugdha Utpadak Sanstha and another v. State of Maharashtra and others** [(2001) 8 SCC 509]_ and argued that scrutiny of nominations is a part of the election process. Therefore, a writ petition challenging acceptance of any nomination paper would not be maintainable. Such illegality should be challenged in an election petition. 16. Placing reliance on the judgment of the Apex Court in _**Shaji K. Joseph v. V. Viswanath and others** [(2016) 4 SCC 429]_ , the counsel for the respondents argued that whenever process of election starts, normally courts should not interfere with the process of election, for the simple reason, that if the process of election is interfered with by courts, possibly no election would be completed without W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 13 : court‘s order. All disputes with regard to election should be dealt with only after completion of the election. 17. The counsel for the respondents also relied on the judgments of this Court in _**Subramanian v. Devicolam Taluk Plantation Workers Co-op. Credit Society** [2004 (3) KLT SN 145],_ _**Jayavarma K. v. State Co-operative Election Commission and others** [2017 (1) KLT 921],_ _**Kuttiyachan Joseph and another v. P.V. Manoharan and others** [2018 (3) KLT 631]_ and _**Chala Farmers Welfare Co-operative Society v. Sahadevan** [2020 (2) KLT 531]_ to urge that a writ petition is not maintainable when the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act provides a remedy for resolution of dispute in connection with election to the Managing Committee of any Society. A judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat in _**Raghubhai Munjibhai Mungra v. Jamnagar District Co-operative Bank Ltd. And others** [AIR 2020 Guj 185]_ was also relied on, in this regard. 18. I have heard the learned Senior Counsel appearing at the instance of the petitioners and the learned W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 14 : Counsel appearing for respondents 1 to 9. I have also heard the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 10[th] respondent and the learned Counsel appearing for the 12[th] respondent. 19. The specific case of the petitioners is that respondents 1 to 6 are candidates contesting from the constituency of persons who have taken loans from the Society and respondents 1 to 6 have not taken any loans from the Society, which in fact render them disqualified for contesting from Loanees’ / Borrowers’ constituency. Respondents 7 and 8 are in default to the Society and arbitration proceedings are initiated against them. In view of Rule 44(1)(c)(i) of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules, respondents 7 and 8 are disqualified. 20. According to the petitioners, the 9[th] respondent who has filed nomination for contesting from Depositor’s constituency, holds no deposit/s in the Society and hence he is also not qualified to contest election. These facts were brought to the notice of the Returning Officer and yet the W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 15 : Returning Officer illegally accepted their nominations treating them as valid nominations. 21. Clause 23(1) of Ext.P5 Bye-laws of the Bank provides that out of the 13 Member Managing Committee, seven shall represent the borrowing Members and that only Members who have availed long term loan are eligible to contest in the election to the Board representing Loanee/Borrower constituency. In support of the contention, the petitioners rely on Ext.P4 communication stated to be submitted by the Secretary of the Bank to the Returning Officer. 22. Ext.P4 is a communication dated 17.10.2023. Ext.P4 communication of the Secretary would indicate that respondents 1 to 6 have no loan transactions with the Bank. In this regard, it is to be noted that as per Ext.P1 Election Notification, 16.10.2023 is the date prescribed for submission of nominations. 17.10.2023 is the date and 11.00 am is the time, fixed for scrutiny. Ext.P4 communication bears the date of scrutiny, namely 17.10.2023. Though there is an W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 16 : acknowledgment endorsed in Ext.P4 that the same was received at 10.30 am on 17.10.2023, it will not be safe to conclude that the contents of Ext.P4 were known to the Returning Officer at the time of scrutiny. It would not be safe also for the reason that respondents 1 to 9 would urge that the contents therein are not correct and Ext.P4 has been issued without the approval of the Managing Committee. 23. The statements contained in the affidavit filed by the respondents, with regard to the eligibility of the 9[th] respondent to contest from Depositors constituency is of relevance in this regard. The counter affidavit of respondents 1 to 9 would state that in order to contest from the Depositors’ Constituency, the 9[th] respondent approached the Secretary on 13.10.2023 requesting to accept his deposit. The Secretary did not accept the deposit offered by the 9[th] respondent till 4.30 pm. The 9[th] respondent on the same day addressed Ext.R2(b) complaint to the Returning Officer. 24. The 9[th] respondent again went to the Secretary to make deposit, on 15.10.2023. Ext.R2(c) letter would indicate W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 17 : that on 15.10.2023 also, the Secretary did not accept deposit and the 9[th] respondent complained to the Returning Officer personally on 15.10.2023. Again, the 9[th] respondent went to the Secretary on 16.10.2023 on which date also the deposit was not accepted. The respondents would submit that it was only on 17.10.2023 and that too on the directions of the Returning Officer that the Secretary accepted the deposit. These statements cast a shadow on the conduct of the Secretary at the time of election process. 25. As regards the allegation that respondents 7 and 8 suffer from default to the Bank, it is not in dispute that they are A Class members of the Bank holding minimum shares of the Bank. To treat respondents 7 and 8 as in default, the Bank has to send notice to them and only after expiry of a period of one month from the date of receipt of notice from the Bank, they can be treated as members in default. There is nothing on record to show that the Society/Bank has issued notices to respondents 7 and 8. W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 18 : 26. Respondents 7 and 8 would urge that no Awards are passed against them. In order to establish that respondents 7 and 8 are “defaulters” as defined under Rule 2(e), there must be a decree against them. The petitioners have not produced any materials to show that there are decrees against the respondents. The notices produced by the petitioners to show that the petitioners are “in default”, are not notices issued by the Bank. Ext.R12(b) to Ext.R12(m) documents produced by the 12[th] respondent would only indicate that the notices were issued by Special Sale Officer, on the basis of which alone one cannot conclude that respondents 7 and 8 are in default. 27. The allegations made by the petitioners in the writ petition are disputed questions of fact. This Court has held in the judgments in _**Subramanian v. Devicolam Taluk Plantation Workers Coop. Credit Society** [2004 (3) KLT SN 145],_ _**Jayavarma K. V. State Co operative Election Commission and others** [2017 (1) KLT 921],_ _**Kuttiyachan Joseph and another v. P.V.Manoharan and others** [2018_ W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 19 : _(3) KLT 631]_ and in _**Chala Farmers Welfare Co-operative Society v. Sahadevan** [2020 (2) KLT 531]_ that when Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969 specifically provides a remedy for resolution of dispute in connection with election to the Managing Committee of any Society, such disputes have to be called in question under Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969. 28. In the facts of the case, I find that this is not a fit case to exercise the extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners have to resort to the remedy provided under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969 for redressal of their grievances. The writ petition is therefore dismissed. Sd/- **N. NAGARESH, JUDGE** aks/02.11.2023 W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 20 : ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 34804/2023** ## **PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS** **Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE ELECTION NOTIFICATION BEARING NO. E(2)5737/2023/S.C.E.C DATED 19.09.2023 ISSUED BY THE 10TH RESPONDENT ELECTION COMMISSION Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF 30 CANDIDATES, WHOSE NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED, PUBLISHED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER ON 16.10.2023 Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE FINAL LIST PUBLISHED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER ON 17.10.2023. Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION DATED 17.10.2023 CONTAINING THE DETAILS OF THE CANDIDATES. Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE BY-LAWS OF THE 12TH RESPONDENT BANK AS REGISTERED DATED 19.09.2012. Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER ON 17.10.2023. Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE LIST PUBLISHED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER ON 18.10.2023.** ## **RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS** **Exhibit R12 [a] True copy of the resolution adopted on 23.11.2022. Exhibit R12 [b] True copy of the notice issued on 24.01.2023 to the 1st respondent by the Sale Officer. Exhibit R12 [c] True copy of the acknowledgement evidencing the receipt of ExhibitR12(b) notice by the 1st respondent . Exhibit R12 [d] True copy of the notice dated 04.08.2023 issued by the Special Sale Officer to the 1st respondent and his wife Susan Prasad.** W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 21 : **Exhibit R12 [e] True copy of the acknowledgement card evidencing the receipt of ExhibitR12(d) notice issued by the Special Sale Officer. Exhibit R12 [f] True copy of the notice issued on 25.02.2023 by the Special Sale Officer to R7 in EA No. 291/22-23. Exhibit R12 [g] True copy of the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors dated 23.11.2022 by the Bank. Exhibit R12 [h] True copy of the acknowledge card received by the 7th respondent . Exhibit R12 [i] True copy of the board resolution dated 23.11.2022 pertaining the loan availed by the 8th respondent. Exhibit R12 [j] True copy of the notice dated 30.01.2023 issued to the 8th respondent. Exhibit R12 [k] True copy of the acknowledgement card evidencing the receipt of ExhibitR12(j). Exhibit R12 [l] True copy of the notice issued by the Special Sale Officer dated 21.08.2023. Exhibit R12 [m] True copy of the acknowledgement card evidencing the receipt of ExhibitR12(l) . Exhibit R2(a) True copy of the passbook of the 1st respondent Exhibit R2(b) True copy of the complaint preferred by the 9th respondent dated 13/10/2023 Exhibit R2(c) True copy of the complaint preferred by the 9th respondent dated 16/10/2023 Exhibit R2(d) True copy of the complaint dated 25/10/2023 preferred by the 2nd respondent Exhibit R2(e) True copy of the objection submitted by the 2nd respondent against the 9th petitioner before the returning officer Exhibit R12 [n] True copy of the communication issued by the returning officer dated 16.10.2023..** ## W.P.(C) No.34804/2023 : 22 : **Exhibit R12 [o] True copy of the call details taken from the call log of the deponent. Exhibit R12 [P] True copy of the letter dated 17.10.2023, issue by the 9th respondent to this deponent.**