Pune: The divisional joint registrar of cooperative societies has upheld the disqualification of eight office bearers from the management committee of a well-known bungalow society in Bavdhan. The members had been barred from contesting society elections for the next five years due to alleged irregularities in financial reporting and governance.

The action was initiated after fifteen residents of the society, located on NDA-Pashan Road, submitted a formal complaint against the management committee, accusing it of arbitrary decision-making and financial mismanagement.

Based on these allegations, the sub-registrar disqualified the society's president, secretary, treasurer, and five other members. The affected office bearers subsequently appealed the decision, but their plea has now been rejected by Divisional Joint Registrar Yogiraj Surve.

As part of the review process, officials examined the records of the society’s annual general meeting (AGM) held on September 24, 2023. It was discovered that the management committee failed to present and approve a plan for utilizing the remaining budget funds.

Additionally, the rectification report from the previous audit was neither submitted nor accepted during the meeting. These lapses were considered serious violations of cooperative society norms, leading to the confirmation of their disqualification.

The ruling reinforces the importance of transparency and accountability in cooperative housing societies, sending a strong message to other management committees about adhering to financial and governance protocols.

With the appellate authority dismissing their challenge, the disqualified members will now be unable to participate in society elections for the next five years.