THALAPPALAM SER.COOP.BANK LTD. vs STATE OF KERALA .

The Supreme Court ruled that co-operative societies registered under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969 qualify as 'public authorities' under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Court upheld the Kerala High Court's Full Bench decision, affirming that such societies are obliged to provide information to citizens, thereby promoting transparency and accountability. The Court rejected the argument that these societies are autonomous and not substantially financed by the State, emphasizing the Registrar's extensive control over them.