MANIPUR HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER FOR A.RONIKA DEVI & 6 ORS V/S STATE OF MANIPUR & 3 ORS

IMPHAL, India, April 26 -- Manipur High Court issued the following order on March 25:

1. Present Mr.M.Hemchandra, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr.Rendy, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.S.Nepolean, learned Sr.GA assisted by Mr.Y.Robert Singh, learned Dy. Government Advocate on behalf of the State and Mr.N.Jotendro, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr.Abdul Baquee Khan, learned on behalf of the respondents.

2. The petitioners were elected members of the Board of Directors of Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans CS Ltd (AWAS) in the election held on 5.7.2024. Vide order dated 2.7.2025 issued by the Registrar, Cooperative Society, Manipur, the whole process of election and appointment of the petitioners as members of the Board of Directors and appointment of President and Vice President of AWAS was declared null and void. The same is challenged by the petitioners, who are delegates/members in WP(C) No.533 of 2025. Order dated 2.7.2025 is superseded by another order passed by the Registrar, Cooperative Society on 30.07.2025 declaring election of Board of Directors of AWAS and whole proceedings as null and void.

3. The second order dated 30.07.2025 is challenged by the petitioners herein in WP(C) No.1028 of 2025. State Government issued order dated 1.10.2025 appointing Board of Administrators in terms of applicable rules to look after affairs of the AWAS. This order dated 1.10.2025 is challenged in WP(C) No.816 of 2025. As there is no stay order in the pending writ petitions, Registrar of Cooperative Society, instructed to hold fresh election of the new Board of Directors as term of the Board of Administrators is expiring on 30.03.2026.

4. In the circumstance, Notification dated 6.3.2026 is issued for fixing date of election for the new Board of Directors on 30.03.2026 by the AWAS. The proceedings of the new election is challenged by the petitioners in WP(C) No.208 of 2026.

5. On 17.3.2026 in WP(C) No.208 of 2026, this Court observed that the matter would be listed on 24.3.2026 along with connected matters and if the connected matters would not be able to disposed of on the next date, this Court would consider prayer for interim relief.

6. The matter was listed yesterday, i.e. 24.3.2026 and renotified today, i.e. 25.3.2026. Matter is heard in part. However, due to paucity of time, hearing could not be completed.

7. This Court is of the view that if elections are to be held on 30.3.2026, lis in WP(C) Nos.533 of 2025 and 1028 of 2025 would become infructuous. Petitioners are challenging order of cancellation of their election and new election is to be conducted on 30.03.2026. To avoid further complicacy in the matter and to avoid third party interest, this Court is of the view that the proposed election for the new Board of Directors scheduled on 30.03.2026 by AWAS be kept on hold till the next date.

8. It is made clear that this Court does not express any opinion on the merit of the case. This order is passed in order to avoid further complicacy and to avoid accrual of third party interest.

9. In the meantime, term of Board of Directors appointed vide order dated 1.10.2025 expiring on 30.03.2026, shall continue till the next date.

10. List on 15.4.2026.

11. Registry is directed to furnish copy of this order to learned counsel for the parties by WhatsApp or any available means.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.