Inquiry into Kaira Milk Union poll challenged in HC

The Gujarat High Court today sought response from the state government and registrar of Cooperative Societies to a plea challenging the special audit ordered by authorities to inquire into alleged irregularities in the elections of one of the constituents of Amul Dairy.
Justice V M Pancholi sought replies of the state and the registrar to a petition filed by Kaira Milk Producers Union, seeking to quash the audit.
Government pleader Manisha Lavkumar said that no audit will be carried out till the next hearing on June 11.
Kaira Milk Producers Union is one of the district constituent of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets its product under the brand 'Amul'.

The election was won by a panel of Congress leaders led by Ramsinh Parmar.
On May 26, registrar ordered the special audit and formed a team of seven members to inquire into 11 issues pertaining to alleged irregularities in the election.

This order was issued after representations were made to the Chief Minister and the Minister of the Cooperative Department by two BJP members who were elected in the poll, says the petition.
It argues that an election result can be challenged only through an election petition. Also, inquiry can be ordered under section 86 of the Cooperative Societies act and not section 84(5)(a), as in this case.

"Therefore order passed by the Cooperative Societies Registrar for the special audit even without providing an opportunity of hearing into the issue should be set aside," says the plea.