Bombay HC Says Deputy Registrar Cannot Disqualify Housing Society Committee Over Non-Mandatory Rules

Court quashes administrator’s appointment, orders probe into registrar’s conduct

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on June 9, 2025, ruled that a Deputy Registrar has no authority to disqualify an entire managing committee of a housing society over alleged non-compliance with a 2019 government resolution (GR) that is directory, not mandatory.

Justice Amit Borkar cancelled the appointment of an administrator in place of the Bandra society’s committee and directed the State Co-operation Department to appoint a senior officer within eight weeks to conduct an inquiry into the registrar’s conduct.

The court observed that disqualifying elected members without giving them a chance to be heard violated the principles of natural justice, and warned officials against ignoring past binding precedents.

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