Mumbai News: Chembur Housing Society Secretaries Disqualified For Failing To Submit Audit Reports For Nearly A Decade

The Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies (M Division), Mumbai, has disqualified the secretary and ex-secretary of Shanti Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., Road No. 2,  Chembur, for failing to comply with statutory audit report submission norms for nearly a decade.

Kanchanmala Subramanian (secretary from 2015–2022) and Anil Hastimal Jain (secretary from 2022–2025) have been disqualified from contesting or holding any position in the managing committee of any cooperative society for a period of two years under Section 75(5) of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960.

The order, issued by Deputy Registrar Sunil Bansode on May 19, 2025, followed a prolonged complaint and hearing process initiated by society members Sheela Vishwanath and  another member. The complainants alleged financial mismanagement, misuse of official positions, and non-submission of audit rectification reports from 2015 to 2024, in violation of multiple bye-laws and statutory provisions.

Despite being served multiple notices and given repeated opportunities to explain, the explanations provided by both current and former secretaries were deemed “unsatisfactory and unreasonable” by the registrar.

The final ruling observed that the secretaries failed to comply with key sections — 75(1), 75(2), and 75(4) — which mandate timely submission and acceptance of annual financial statements and audit rectification reports in the annual general meeting.

The registrar’s office stressed the importance of cooperative societies adhering to governance norms and fulfilling their statutory responsibilities.