RAMARAO & ANR. vs NARAYAN & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that the nominee of the Registrar under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, is not a 'court' as defined under Section 195 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and therefore, no prior sanction from the Registrar is required for prosecuting offences under Sections 465 and 471 IPC. The Court clarified that the nominee's authority is derived from the Registrar's discretion and does not constitute judicial power. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the lower courts' decisions.