HC challenge to cooperative law changes, verdict on Bachchu Kadu plea on Sep 30

Former minister and MLA Bachchu Kadu has challenged the Maharashtra Cooperative Society Rules, 2014, and the 2026 amendments to the cooperative law in the High Court. The petition was heard on Tuesday, when a bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas gave the state government time to present its case. The court made clear that the final hearing in the matter will take place on September 30, and the petition will be disposed of the same day.

Under the Maharashtra Cooperative Society Rules, all cooperative institutions in the state are divided into four categories based on their nature and size, A, B, C and D. The amendments made to the cooperative law in 2026 tightened the rules for category A institutions far more than before. Because of these stricter provisions, the board of directors of district central cooperative banks is not allowed to function as administrator.

The government has exempted category B and C cooperative institutions from this new rule. On this basis, Bachchu Kadu filed the petition in the High Court, demanding that district central cooperative banks be kept out of this rule in the same way that category B and C institutions have been exempted. He has asked the court to direct the necessary amendment to the law for this purpose.

Bachchu Kadu's petition is mainly linked to the Amravati District Central Cooperative Bank. Due to the current amendment, the bank's board of directors is restricted and unable to function as administrator. If the High Court's verdict on September 30 goes in favour of the petitioner, Bachchu Kadu and his board of directors could regain the authority to take major financial and policy decisions related to the bank. The cooperative sector is currently watching for the High Court's order due on September 30.