DEORAJ vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA .

The Supreme Court held that the election of the Chairman of the cooperative society must adhere to the provisions of Section 144Y of the Maharashtra Cooperative Society Act, 1960, which mandates that the election be presided over by the Collector or a nominated officer. The Court emphasized that the bye-laws of the society, particularly Bye-law No. 18.3, stipulate the procedure for electing the Chairman annually. The Court ruled that the election conducted on 11.12.2003 was valid as the nomination was properly filed and no withdrawals occurred, thereby upholding the election results.