Lakhan Lal Sahu v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case brief
What is this about?
Chhattisgarh High Court batch dismissal (order dated 07.03.2024, Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey; heard 20.02.2024) - removal of non-official Prescribed Officers of primary cooperative societies under proviso to Rule 43-B(3), Chhattisgarh Co-Operative Societies Rules 1962; Section 49(8) Chhattisgarh Cooperative Societies Act 1960 (Registrar's authorization till specified period or elections); Registrar's power to remove authorised persons by written order without reasons; doctrine of pleasure vs principles of natural justice; Article 243(ZL) six-month ceiling on board supersession; Article 14 equals/unequals; Rule 49-CC list of members; 15.12.2023 GAD circular on political appointments; reliance on Om Narain Agarwal (1993) 2 SCC 242, Cheviti Venkanna Yadav AIR 2016 SC 4982, Shaikh Mahemud 2022 SCC OnLine SC 1884, H. Rajaiah (2000) 6 KARLJ 401, Som Dutt 2016 SCC OnLine P&H 9456, Ram Lok AIR Online 2023 HP 564, Mahesh Doley (2007) 2 GLR 7; distinctions from Padma Chandrakar WPC 408/2019, Sanjay Nagayach AIR 2013 SC 1921, Satya Pal Anand AIR 2014 SC 2361, Thalappalam AIR 2013 SCW 5683, Veena Kumari Tandon (2007) 12 SCC 764, Ispat Industries (2006) 12 SCC 583, Dharampal Satyapal (2015) 8 SCC 519; petitions dismissed without costs; alternative remedy left open; State urged to hold cooperative elections early.