Remanded

Shaji.K.G v. Joint Registrar of Co-Operative Societies (General)

Kerala HC29 Nov 2022WP(C)/12594/2020

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court of Kerala, composing three related writ petitions concerning salary arrears and retirement benefits claims against the Meenachil Rubber Marketing and Processing Co-operative Society Ltd., directed the Joint Registrar to conduct an inquiry, hear all parties, and decide how to satisfy claims, allowing asset liquidation without waiting for further rules compliance within four months du

What did the court decide?

Directed jurisdictional Joint Registrar to hear all parties and decide on satisfaction of claims, with liberty to monetize/liquidate society assets without waiting for resolution under Rule 154 KCS Ru

Shaji.K.G Vs Joint Registrar of Co-Operative… — Pension and Retirement Benefits | Kerala HC (2022)

¶1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶2

PRESENT

¶3

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN

¶4

TUESDAY, THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2022 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA, 1944
WP(C) NO. 25287 OF 2019

¶5

PETITIONER:

¶6

JOHN STEPHEN O., AGED 61 YEARS
S/O.STEPHEN, OLICKAL HOUSE, UZHAVOOR EAST P.O.,
UZHAVOOR VILLAGE, MEEANCHIL TALUK, KOTTAYAM
DISTRICT -686 634.

¶7

BY ADVS.
VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE
SHRI.SUSANTH SHAJI

¶8

RESPONDENTS:

¶9

1 STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION, SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM – 1.

¶10

2 THE JOINT REGISTRAR (GENERAL), COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES, CIVIL STATION, KOTTAYAM - 686 002.

¶11

3 THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (GENERAL), MEENACHIL, PALA P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 575.

¶12

4 THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROESSING COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.NO.K/118, KAROOR P.O., PALA, KOTTAYAM, REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR.K.G.SHAJI, KARAMULLIL HOUSE, MELAMBARA P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 578.

¶13

5 ADV.JOY ABRAHAM, MAZHUVANNOOR HOUSE, MELAMPARA P.O., BHARANANGANAM, KOTTAYAM - 686 578.

¶14

6 C.C.MICHAEL, CHEMPAMATTATHIL HOUSE, PADINJATTINKARA P.O., KADAPLAMATTOM, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 571.

¶15

7 GEORGE MATHEW, THEKKEL HOUSE, MELUKAUMATTOM P.O., MELUKAVU, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 652.

¶16

8 JOY JOSEPH, THENGUMPALLIKUNNEL HOUSE, EZHACHERRY P.O., RAMAPURAM, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 651.

¶17

9 STEPHEN, THADAVANAL HOUSE, PERINGALAM P.O., KOTTAYAM - 676 574.

¶18

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶19

¶20

10 K.J.TOMY, KADANKAVIL HOUSE, KAROOR P.O., PALA, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 674.

¶21

11 THOMAS J., PORUNNOLIL HOUSE, KIZHATHADIYOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM -686 574.

¶22

12 ADV.GEORGE JOSEPH, EDETTU HOUSE, PALA P.O., KOTTAYAM -686 575.

¶23

13 ADV.JOSE TOM, PULIUKUNNEL HOUSE, EDAMATTOM P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 578.

¶24

14 K.A.CHANDRAN, KALLIDUKKIL HOUSE, KADAPLAMATTOM P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 571.

¶25

15 K.P.CICILY, NADUKKARA HOUSE, KADAPLAMATTOM P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 571.

¶26

16 NICYMOL CHERIAN, VELLAKKAL HOUSE, VAYALA P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 587.

¶27

17 SELLY GEORGE, CHEENKALLEL HOUSE, RAMAPUAM BAZAR P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 578.

¶28

*18 ALEX ALEXANDER, THENGUM PALLIKUNNEL HOUSE, ANTHINADU PO, EZHACHERRY, KOTTAYM 686 574

¶29

19 R.T.MADHUSOODANAN, RAMANILAYAM, THODANNAL PO, THODANNAL, KOTTAYAM 686 573.

¶30

20 PRADEEP VALIYAPARAMBIL, VALIYAPARAMBIL HOUSE, KOODALLURE PO, KOODALLURE, KOTTAYAM 686 587

¶31

(ADDL RESPONDENTS 18 TO 20 IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER
DATED 29.11.2022 IN I.A. NO.2/2022)

¶32

BY ADVS.
SRI.SHAJI THOMAS
SRI.JEN JAISON
SMT.RESMI THOMAS

¶33

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 29.11.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).12594/2020, 25412/2019, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

¶34

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶35

¶36

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶37

PRESENT

¶38

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN

¶39

TUESDAY, THE 29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2022 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA,

¶40

1944

¶41

WP(C) NO. 25412 OF 2019

¶42

PETITIONER:

¶43

N.R.REGHUVARAN NAIR, AGED 61 YEARS
S/O.P.N.RAGHAVAN NAIR,NELLITHANATHU
HOUSE,KAROOR.P.O,PALA,LALAM VILLAGE,
MEENACHIL TALUK,KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686574.

¶44

BY ADVS.
VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE
SUSANTH SHAJI

¶45

RESPONDENTS:

¶46

1 STATE OF KERALA, REP.BY SECRETARY,DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATION ,SECRETARIAT,TRIVANDRUM-695001.

¶47

2 THE JOINT REGISTRAR(GENERAL), CO OPERATIVE SOCIETIES,CIVIL STATION, KOTTAYAM-686002.

¶48

3 THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES(GENERAL), MEENACHIL,PALA.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686575.

¶49

4 THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.NO.K/118, KAROOR.P.O, PALA,KOTTAYAM-REP.BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR.K.G.SHAJI, KARAMULLIL HOUSE,MELAMBRA.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686578.

¶50

5 ADV.JOY ABRAHAM, MAZHUVANNOOR HOUSE, MELAMPARA.P.O,BHARANANGANAM,KOTTAYAM-686578.

¶51

6 C.C.MICHAEL, CHEMPAMATTATHIL HOUSE, PADINJATTINKARA.P.O, KADAPLAMATTOM, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686571.

¶52

7 GEORGE MATHEW, THEKKEL HOUSE, MELUKAVUMATTOM.P.O, MELUKAVU,KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686652, KAROOR.P.O,

¶53

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶54

¶55

PALA, KOTTAYAM-REP.BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,
MR.K.G.SHAJI, KARAMULLIL HOUSE,MELAMBARA.P.O,
KOTTAYAM DISTRICT 686 652

¶56

8 JOY JOSEPH, THENGUMPALLIKUNNEL HOUSE, EZHACHERRY.P.O, RAMAPURAM,KOTTAYAM DISTRICT686651.

¶57

9 STEPHAN, THADAVANAL HOUSE,PERINGALAM.P.O, KOTTAYAM-676574.

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10 K.J.TOMY, KADANKAVIL HOUSE,KAROOR.P.O, PALA,KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686674.

¶59

11 THOMAS.J, PORUNNOLIL HOUSE,KIZHATHADIYOOR.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686574.

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12 ADV.GEORGE JOSPEH, EDETTU HOUSE,PALA.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686575.

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13 ADV.JOSE TOM, PULIKUNNEL HOUSE,EDAMATTOM.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686578.

¶62

14 K.A.CHANRAN, KALLIDUKKIL HOUSE,KADAPLAMATTOM.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686571.

¶63

15 K.P.CICILY, NADUKKARA HOUSE,KADAPLAMATTOM.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686571.

¶64

16 NICYMOL CHERIAN, VELLAKKAL HOUSE,VAYALA.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686587.

¶65

17 SELLY GEORGE, CHEENKALLEL HOUSE,RAMAPURAM BAZAR.P.O, KOTTAYAM-686578.

¶66

*18 ALEX ALEXANDER, THENGUM PALLIKUNNEL HOUSE, ANTHINADU PO, EZHACHERRY, KOTTAYM 686 574

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19 R.T.MADHUSOODANAN, RAMANILAYAM, THODANNAL PO, THODANNAL, KOTTAYAM 686 573.

¶68

20 PRADEEP VALIYAPARAMBIL, VALIYAPARAMBIL HOUSE, KOODALLURE PO, KOODALLURE, KOTTAYAM 686 587

¶69

(ADDL RESPONDENTS 18 TO 20 IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER
DATED 29.11.2022 IN I.A. NO.2/2022)

¶70

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶71

¶72

BY ADVS.
SRI.SHAJI THOMAS
SRI.JEN JAISON
SMT.RESMI THOMAS - GP

¶73

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 29.11.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).25287/2019 AND CONNECTED
CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

¶74

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶75

¶76

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶77

PRESENT

¶78

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN TUESDAY, THE 29^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2022 / 8TH AGRAHAYANA,

¶79

1944

¶80

WP(C) NO. 12594 OF 2020

¶81

PETITIONERS:

¶82

1 SHAJI.K.G, OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. K 118, PALA, RESIDING AT KALAMULLIL HOUSE, BHARANGANAM P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-685578.

¶83

2 PREETHA K, CASHIER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT KARTHIKA HOUSE, KIDANGOOR P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686572.

¶84

3 MAYA S, TYPIST, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT PANNIGANKAL HOUSE, KANJIRAMATTOM P O, THEKKUMTHADA, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686585.

¶85

4 SAJANI ZACHARIAS, JUNIOR CLERK, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT PAZHAYAMADATHIL HOUSE, THIDANADU P O, VETHIKULAM, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686123.

¶86

5 BABU A.G, DRIVER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT ANAMUTHEL HOUSE, VAYALA P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686587.

¶87

6 USHAKUMARY N.G, WORKER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT NEDUMPURATH HOUSE, THODANAL P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT – 686573.

¶88

7 SABU THOMAS, WORKER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT ILLIMOOTHIL HOUSE,

¶89

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶90

¶91

PADUVA P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686564.

¶92

8 BLESSON JOY, ACCOUNTANT, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT CHIRAYATHU HOUSE, PUTHUVELI P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686636.

¶93

9 MINI K.R, ACCOUNTANT, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT PULICKAKANDATHIL HOUSE, PALA, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686575.

¶94

10 REJI I.G., DRIVER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT ETHIKUNNEL HOUSE, EDAMATTOM P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686578

¶95

11 HARISH S., PROCUREMENT SUPERVISOR, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT PUNNACKAL HOUSE, PLASSANAL P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686579.

¶96

12 LOVESEKUTTY JOSEPH, ACCOUNTANT, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT VETTATHU HOUSE, KIZHAPARAYAR P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686578

¶97

13 N. RAJEEVKUMAR, DRIVER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT VADAKKENPARAMBIL HOUSE, PALA P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686575.

¶98

14 LINCY KURIAKOSE, JUNIOR CLERK, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT KOTTERIL HOUSE, ARUNAPURAM P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686574.

¶99

15 DEEPA K K, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT MANKOOTTATHIL HOUSE, MUTHUCHIRA P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686613.

¶100

16 JIBU MOHAN, SALES ASSISTANT, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT PADIYATH HOUSE, EDANADU P O, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT-686574.

¶101

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶102

¶103

17 SHALI S., ATTENDER, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, RESIDING AT KANANGUM PATHIYIL HOUSE, CHAKKAMPUZHA P O, EDKKOLY, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT686574.

¶104

BY ADV BINU PAUL

¶105

RESPONDENTS:

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1 JOINT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (GENERAL), COLLECTORATE, KOTTAYAM.

¶107

2 ADMINISTRATOR, THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, KOTTAYAM, PIN 686 575

¶108

3 THE MEENACHIL RUBBER MARKETING AND PROCESSING COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD NO. 118, PALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR-IN-CHARGE, PIN 686 575

¶109

*4 REGISTRAR OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES OFFICE OF REGISTRAR OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES, JAWAHAR SAHAKARANA BHAVAN, DPI JUNCTION, THYCAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 014 [IS IMPLEADED AS ADDL.R4 AS PER ORDER DATED 02.08.2022 IN I.A.1/22.]

¶110

BY ADVS.
SRI.C.S.MANILAL
SRI.S.NIDHEESH
SRI.JOSHY THANNICKAMATTAM - GP

¶111

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 29.11.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).25287/2019 AND CONNECTED
CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

JUDGMENT

I am considering these Writ Petitions together because they

¶116

involve analogous claims and factual circumstances.

¶117

2 . All the three Writ Petitions are filed against ‘Meenachil

¶118

Rubber Marketing and Processing Co-operative Society Ltd.’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Society’ for short), which is now stated to be in deep financial crisis and being managed not by an elected committee, but by an Administrative Committee, for the same reason.

¶119

3 . While the petitioners in WP(C)No.12594/2020 seek that

¶120

their claim for arrears of salary and other allowances from May

¶121

2015 be ordered to be honoured by the Society; the petitioners in

¶122

other two cases seek that their eligible retiral benefits, including

¶123

Gratuity, be directed to be paid forthwith.

¶124

4 . The learned Standing Counsel for the Society pleads complete incapacity to honour any of the afore claims - but without contesting it in any manner - on account of the financial

¶125

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶126

¶127

crisis faced by his client.

¶128

5 . Obviously, it is now for the jurisdictional Statutory

¶129

Authorities to take a decision as to how the Society’s liabilities

¶130

will have to be honoured by them; for which purpose, certainly, an enquiry is required and all parties are to be heard.

¶131

In the afore circumstances, I order these Writ Petitions, directing the jurisdictional Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies to hear all parties and to take a decision as to how the

¶132

claims of the petitioners can be satisfied by the Society.

¶133

While doing so, I leave full liberty to the Joint Registrar to take any apposite decision, including to monitise and liquidate

¶134

the assets of the Society, if any, without having to wait for resolution from them for such purpose under Rule 154 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Rules (hereinafter referred to as ‘KCS Rules for short). I affirm that this has been acceded to by the Society also.

¶135

Final orders and necessary action in this regard shall be

¶136

issued and completed by the Joint Registrar as expeditiously as is possible, but not later than four months from the date of receipt

¶137

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶138

¶139

of a copy of this judgment.

¶140

Sd/-

¶141

RR

¶142

DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN

JUDGE

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 12594/2020

¶147

PETITIONER EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE SUMMARY SHEET OF
THE SALARY AND OTHER ALLOWANCES DUE TO
THE PETITIONERS FROM MAY,2015 TILL MARCH
2019.
EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE ORDER
NO.112/2020/CO-OP, DATED 13.02.2020
ISSUED BY THE ADDITIONAL SECRETARY TO
THE GOVERNMENT, CO-OPERATION(C)
DEPARTMENT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE REPRESENTATION
DATED 02.06.2020 SUBMITTED BY THE
PETITIONERS BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT.

¶148

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶149

¶150

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 25412/2019

¶151

PETITIONER EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT P1TRUE COPY OF THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY
LIC OF INDIA ON 03.09.2019.
RESPONDENT EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT R4(a)TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE ORDER DATED
13.02.2017 ISSUED BY THE ASSISTANT
PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER.
EXHIBIT R4(b)TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS
HON'BLE COURT IN W.P.(C) NO. 8122 OF
2017 DATED 05.06.2017.
EXHIBIT R4(c)TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED
04.04.2017 IN W.P(c) NO. 10139 OF 2017
OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.

¶152

WPC 25287/19 & conn.

¶153

¶154

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 25287/2019

¶155

PETITIONER EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE INFORMATION
SUPPLIED BY LIC OF INDIA ON 03/09/2019.
RESPONDENT EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT R4(a)TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE ORDER DATED
13.02.2017 ISSUED BY THE ASSISTANT
PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER.
EXHIBIT R4(b)TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS
HON'BLE COURT IN WP(c) NO.8122 OF 2017
DATED 05.06.2017.
EXHIBIT R4(c)TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED
04.04.2017 IN WP(c) NO.10139 OF 2017 OF
THIS HON'BLE COURT.

Shaji.K.G v. Joint Registrar of Co-Operative Societies (General)

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Shaji.K.G v. Joint Registrar of Co-Operative Societies (General)

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

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