A major development in Mumbai’s cooperative housing sector has brought the issue of managing committee accountability into focus. The Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, A Ward, has taken action against eight managing committee members of Bhartiya Friends Co-operative Housing Society in Churchgate.
The committee members were dismissed from their positions and disqualified from holding any post in the society for five years following complaints concerning the management of the society, access to documents, parking-related issues and financial collections.
The order highlights the importance of transparency, timely compliance and responsible decision-making by managing committees of cooperative housing societies.
1. 🚨 Eight Managing Committee Members Disqualified
The Deputy Registrar ordered the dismissal of eight members of the managing committee and barred them from holding positions in the society for five years.
The action followed proceedings initiated after complaints were raised regarding the functioning of the managing committee. The decision serves as a reminder that committee members can face consequences if their actions or decisions are found to be contrary to the provisions of cooperative law or the interests of society members.
Managing committee positions come with statutory responsibilities, and members are expected to ensure that the society operates according to the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, applicable rules and registered bye-laws.
2. 📋 Complaint Raised Over Society Management
The case originated from a complaint by society member Anil Chokhani, who raised several concerns regarding the functioning of the managing committee.
The allegations included mismanagement, violation of society bye-laws, failure to protect members' interests and recovery of amounts allegedly connected with transfer-related charges.
Such complaints demonstrate the importance of having transparent procedures within a housing society. Decisions involving members, finances, documents and common facilities should be properly recorded and supported by the relevant rules and resolutions.
3. 📄 Delay in Providing Society Documents
One of the significant issues considered in the proceedings was the delay in providing documents requested by a society member.
The member had reportedly requested certain documents in June 2025 and had also paid the required fees. Despite reminders, the documents were allegedly not supplied within the prescribed 45-day period.
The Deputy Registrar noted that the documents were provided only after approximately 10 months and that even then, the information supplied was reportedly incomplete.
This highlights why societies need an organised system for maintaining records and responding to legitimate requests from members within the applicable statutory timeframe.
4. 🚗 Parking NOC Issue Also Raised
Parking was another issue that formed part of the complaint.
The member alleged that after giving the flat on leave and licence, the society delayed issuing an NOC required for the licence holder to use the society's parking facility.
Parking is one of the most common sources of disputes in cooperative housing societies. Managing committees should therefore follow the applicable bye-laws and maintain clear documentation when dealing with parking permissions, NOCs and related requests.
A transparent process can help prevent misunderstandings between members and the managing committee.
5. 💰 ₹20.82 Lakh Contribution Questioned
A financial issue also came under scrutiny in the case.
The complaint questioned the recovery of approximately ₹20.82 lakh from a member, which was described as a voluntary contribution towards repairs and renovation.
The member challenged the collection, alleging that it amounted to an unauthorised or excessive transfer-related charge.
The matter highlights an important principle for housing societies: financial collections from members should be properly authorised, supported by appropriate resolutions and carried out in accordance with applicable cooperative laws and society bye-laws.
Clear documentation of the purpose and authority for any major collection can also reduce the possibility of future disputes.
6. ⚖️ Violation of Statutory Requirements
The Deputy Registrar found that the society's handling of the document request amounted to a violation of Section 154B-8(1) of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960.
The provision is particularly relevant to members' access to information and records maintained by cooperative housing societies.
The case reinforces that managing committee members cannot treat statutory requirements as optional. Responding to members, maintaining records and complying with prescribed procedures are part of the responsibilities associated with running a cooperative housing society.
7. 🏢 What This Means for Housing Society Committees
The Churchgate case carries an important message for managing committees across Maharashtra.
Committee members should ensure that member requests are handled within the applicable timelines, society records are properly maintained and financial decisions are transparent and properly documented. Matters involving parking, repairs, transfer-related payments and other member rights should be dealt with strictly according to the society's registered bye-laws and applicable law.
The five-year disqualification also demonstrates that holding a managing committee position comes with accountability. Committee members who fail to comply with their statutory duties may face action from the cooperative authorities.
🔎 Key Takeaway for Society Members
For society members, the case underlines the importance of knowing their rights and maintaining proper records of their requests and communications with the managing committee.
Members should make formal requests wherever necessary, preserve acknowledgements and payment records, and use the appropriate cooperative authorities or legal remedies if legitimate concerns remain unresolved.
At the same time, managing committees should view such proceedings as a reminder to strengthen internal governance rather than simply treating them as individual disputes.
Conclusion
The action taken against the eight managing committee members of the Churchgate housing society highlights the growing importance of accountability and transparency in cooperative housing society management.
From providing documents within the prescribed period to handling parking-related matters and financial collections correctly, every decision taken by a managing committee can have legal and administrative implications.
🚨 Churchgate Housing Society Committee Members Barred for 5 Years: 7 Key Lessons for Housing Societies