Mumbai Housing Society Election: Deputy Registrar Appoints Officer for Dahisar Society, Orders Fresh Polls

Action Taken Over Alleged Election Rule Violations in Dahisar Housing Society

In a major development involving a cooperative housing society in Dahisar, the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies (R-North Ward) has appointed an authorized officer to manage the affairs of Save Nagar Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. after finding irregularities in the election process of its managing committee.

The authority has also directed that fresh elections be conducted within the next three months. Until then, the previous committee members have been restricted from making any major policy decisions without official approval.

Deputy Registrar Invokes Section 77A of Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act

The action has been taken under Section 77A of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, following a complaint submitted by society member Sandeep R. Chopra.

The complaint raised concerns over the managing committee elections conducted on September 21, 2024, alleging that the election process did not follow the legal procedures laid down for cooperative housing societies.

Complaint Highlights Multiple Election Irregularities

According to the complaint, Save Nagar Co-operative Housing Society has 58 members and falls under the E-class category of cooperative housing societies.

Under the election rules applicable to such societies, several mandatory steps must be followed, including appointment of a qualified election officer, preparation of provisional and final voters’ lists, publication of an election schedule, and compliance with election provisions under Section 73CB.

However, the complainant alleged that these procedures were ignored.

One of the key allegations stated that Rahul Borse was appointed as election officer on the same day the election was held instead of being appointed at least 60 days before completion of the committee’s term.

It was further claimed that the appointed election officer had not completed the required training and therefore was not eligible to conduct the election process.

Questions Raised Over Voting Process and Committee Formation

The complaint also pointed to alleged lapses during the earlier 2019 elections, claiming that similar issues were repeated in 2024.

According to the allegations, the managing committee failed to inform the Deputy Registrar about the election process and did not publish official voter lists or issue a formal election timetable.

The complaint additionally claimed that nomination filing, scrutiny and other legal procedures were not properly followed.

Another serious allegation involved a seat reserved for a woman member. It was claimed that elected member Geeta Achrekar was later replaced by her husband, Shankar Achrekar, despite there being no legal provision allowing such substitution.

Redevelopment Decisions Also Come Under Scrutiny

Apart from election-related concerns, the complaint also questioned decisions taken by the committee after assuming office.

It alleged that redevelopment-related activities were initiated without obtaining conveyance of the society land.

The committee was also accused of appointing an architect without approval from the general body and without following procedures mentioned in the society’s bye-laws.

Based on these concerns, the complainant sought cancellation of the election results, appointment of an authorized officer, fresh elections, and an inquiry into the functioning of the society.

Society Committee Defends Election Process

In response, the existing managing committee denied the allegations and maintained that the election was conducted through secret ballot.

The committee argued that there was no administrative deadlock or vacancy that justified intervention under Section 77A.

It also informed the Deputy Registrar that the complainant had already challenged the election before the Cooperative Court and claimed that the complaint was filed only after losing the election.

Fresh Elections Ordered; Authorized Officer Takes Charge

After reviewing records and hearing both sides, the Deputy Registrar concluded that the election had not been conducted through the prescribed legal election process.

The authority observed that mandatory procedures under cooperative laws were not followed and decided that administrative intervention was necessary to ensure proper governance of the society.

As a result, auditor Shrikant Jagtap has been appointed as the authorized officer to take control of the society’s records, administration and assets.