Topic
The Societies Registration Act governs the formation and regulation of non-profit societies in India, including clubs, trusts, and associations registered under state-specific versions of the law.
Bombay High Court quashed a de-registration order under Section 13 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for failing to provide a hearing. The ruling reinforces that administrative actions affecting civil rights must comply with principles of natural justice, impacting trusts and societies facing similar procedural lapses.
Allahabad High Court rules that orders passed under Section 25(2) or Section 4-B of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, are not appealable, as no statutory provision grants such a right. The judgment underscores that remand orders and appellate decisions passed without jurisdiction are nullities, affecting societies and registrars across Uttar Pradesh.
Allahabad HC rules that failure to follow due process for member deletion under Section 4-B of the Societies Registration Act invalidates subsequent elections. Societies must adhere to bye-laws and procedural fairness to avoid legal challenges to membership lists and electoral outcomes.
Allahabad HC rules that an outgoing society committee cannot be declared time-barred without considering bye-laws permitting extension pending elections. The court emphasized that Clause 10(i) of the bye-laws explicitly allows the outgoing committee to continue until new office-bearers are elected, setting a precedent for strict adherence to bye-laws in governance disputes.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that withdrawing a writ petition automatically nullifies any interim stay on election results, obligating authorities to declare the outcomes of completed elections. Fresh polls are permissible only for vacancies arising after declaration, ensuring electoral finality and preventing procedural manipulation under the Societies Registration Act, 2001.
Punjab & Haryana High Court rules that a Returning Officer lacks statutory power to halt society elections without explicit authorization from the Registrar under the Societies Registration Act. The court directed elections to proceed before the governing body’s term expires on 04.05.2026, reinforcing democratic governance and curbing administrative overreach in cooperative societies.
Delhi High Court reaffirms that the Indian Olympic Association cannot impose ad hoc committees on independent sports bodies registered under state-specific Societies Registration Acts. The ruling protects the autonomy of Ski and Snowboard India, a Karnataka-registered society, from IOA's governance disputes, setting a precedent for jurisdictional limits of national sports federations.
CESTAT Chandigarh holds that membership fees of societies registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 are exempt from service tax prior to 2012 under doctrine of mutuality.
Supreme Court strikes down preferential housing allotments to governing body members, upholding transparency and equal opportunity in public-interest societies.
Supreme Court strikes down preferential housing allotments to governing body members, upholding transparency and non-arbitrariness in public-spirited societies.