HC reserves order on GCMMF chief's plea against no-trust move

The Gujarat High Court today reserved its order on a petition filed by Vipul Chaudhary, chairman of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets brand Amul, challenging the no-confidence motion moved against him by majority of directors of GCMMF district dairy cooperative unions.
As many as 14 out of 17 directors of these unions have sought Chaudhary's ouster alleging "mismanagement". Justice A J Desai reserved the order, without assigning any date, after both sides completed their submissions.
Appearing for GCMMF,senior counsel S N Shelat argued that the petition was not maintainable under article 226 of the Constitution, and the post of chairman of GCMMF is honorary.

"The board of directors appoint the chairman and (raising) a bogey of apprehension that he would be dismissed as chairman in the meeting called to discuss the no-confidence motion moved against him is not a sufficient ground to file a petition," the counsel said.
In his counter, Chaudhary's counsel P S Champaneri said GCMMF was discharging public functions and hence, the petition is maintainable. GCMMF, according to the counsel, serves public purpose.
Champaneri also argued that there was no provision to bring a no-trust motion to remove the GCMMF chairman under the Gujarat Co-operative Societies Act.
On October 25, the high court had stayed the GCMMF's board meeting scheduled for October 26 to discuss the motion moved against Chaudhary.