DCO’s orders on APNGOs society polls suspended

The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday found fault with the order issued by the Hyderabad District Cooperative Officer (DCO) and joint registrar of cooperative societies to conduct elections to the APNGOs Mutually Aided Cooperative Housing Society Ltd.

Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, while suspending the orders issued on May 18 and June 1 to hold the elections to the housing society, said it appeared that sabotage and cheating were behind the issuance of the orders.

The judge was dealing with a petition filed by APNGOs president Ashok Babu, vice-president Bapuji and directors of the housing society challenging the orders of the DCO.

While refusing the request of the Telangana state counsel A. Sanjeev Kumar to post the matter for Thursday, the judge asked could the general body of the society pass resolutions without quorum.

Mr Hemendranath Reddy, counsel appearing for the petitioners, submitted that some of the members of the society had complained to the DCO alleging irregularities in the election of directors to the society headed by Mr Ashok Babu. Following this, the DCO had ordered the Secunderabad division deputy registrar to conduct an inquiry.

After receiving the report, the DCO had issued orders on May 18 and June 1 to hold the elections within 30 days to elect the board of directors to the society, he added.

Counsel said that the DCO issued the orders despite knowing that the majority of members of the society were currently residing in AP and that he had tried to hold the elections secretly.