#Kerala Co-operative Societies Act

The Supreme Court ruled that the Registrar's statutory power under Sections 65 and 66 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act to access society documents for RTI purposes is not contingent on a prior subjective satisfaction to hold an inquiry. This ensures members of cooperative societies can obtain records such as construction agreements and general body minutes through the RTI route without the Registrar first initiating a formal inquiry.

The Kerala High Court has mandated that Special Sale Officers must decide applications to set aside ex parte awards under Section 69 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act within two months, ensuring timely redressal and preventing indefinite legal limbo for guarantors. This ruling reinforces natural justice in cooperative dispute resolution and binds all arbitral officers under the Act to enforce procedural deadlines.

Kerala High Court sets aside judgment quashing dismissal, remands case for fresh hearing after overruling prior precedent on competency of issuing authority.