Gopal Krishan ORS v. State Of Haryana And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH **** Date of Decision: 06.04.2026 Gopal Krishan and Others

...Petitioners

Versus

State of Haryana and Others

...Respondents

CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAGMOHAN BANSAL Present:- Mr. Abhinav Sood, Advocate and Ms. Achintaya Soni, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Svaneel Jaswal, Addl. A.G., Haryana.

**** JAGMOHAN BANSAL, J. (ORAL) 1.

The petitioners through instant petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India are seeking direction to respondent No.2-Registrar General, Firms and Societies, Haryana to take up and decide their Appeal No.797 of 2026 titled as Gopal Krishan versus State Registrar, Societies, Haryana & Others.

2.

The petitioners are members of society known as Antariksha Heights Residents Welfare Association. Elections of governing body were held on 08.01.2023. The society filed list of elected members after almost two years from the date of election. The District Registrar, Gurugram approved list of members of governing body vide order dated 21.05.2025. In the approval order, it was clarified that tenure of the governing body shall remain till 07.01.2026. The petitioners challenged said approval before State Registrar. The appeal came to be dismissed vide order dated 25.09.2025. In the order, it was clarified that tenure of governing body is

-2three years and would expire in January' 2026. The position was further clarified by State Registrar vide clarification dated 27.02.2026 wherein it was categorically stated that tenure of governing body would be reckoned from the date of election i.e. 08.01.2023. The petitioners were expecting that fresh elections would be conducted on the expiry of tenure of governing body. The respondents approached learned Civil Court, Gurugram which made certain observations in an interim order dated 23.09.2025. The respondents have filed contempt petition before this Court forming an opinion that governing body would continue till 2028 because three years' period has to be reckoned from the date of approval of list of elected members. The petitioners have preferred appeal before Registrar General, Societies, Haryana. The said authority has adjourned the matter to 14.05.2026.

3.

The petitioners are claiming that act of Appellate Authority adjourning the matter to 14.05.2026 amounts to violation of their right of speedy adjudication. There are more than 1100 residents of the society. The governing body is not holding annual general meeting and acting in an arbitrary manner. The common area maintenance charges have been increased. In such circumstances, appeal needs to be adjudicated at the earliest.

4.

Learned State counsel submits that Appellate Authority would expeditiously decide petitioners' appeal. 5.

Considering the factual and legal position, the Appellate Authority-Registrar General is hereby directed to decide petitioners' appeal within five weeks from today. The date of hearing shall be preponed and final order shall be passed within five weeks.

-36.

Disposed of.

7.

Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. (JAGMOHAN BANSAL) JUDGE 06.04.2026 Prince Chawla Whether Speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No