Madras High Court
The Official Liquidator vs Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar ... on 23 June, 2025
Author: S.M.Subramaniam
Bench: S.M.Subramaniam
C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 23.06.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM
and
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE
C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694,
1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
and
C.M.P(MD)Nos.6434, 7340, 7341, 7342, 7343, 7344, 7345,
7346, 7347, 7348 of 2018
1.C.R.P(MD)No.1462 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
1/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.829 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
2.C.R.P(MD)No.1691 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
2/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.830 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
3/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
3.C.R.P(MD)No.1692 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.831 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
4/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
4.C.R.P(MD)No.1693 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
5/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.832 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
5.C.R.P(MD)No.1694 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
6/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.833 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
7/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
6.C.R.P(MD)No.1695 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.834 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
8/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
7.C.R.P(MD)No.1696 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
9/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.835 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
8.C.R.P(MD)No.1697 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
10/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.836 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
11/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
9.C.R.P(MD)No.1698 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.837 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
12/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
10.C.R.P(MD)No.1699 of 2018:
The Official Liquidator,
Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
32, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner/Respondent/
Opposite Party
vs.
1.Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam,
Madurai,
Through its Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer.
... 1st Respondent/Appellant/
Complainant
2.The Special Officer,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
3.The Secretary,
The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited,
No.28, Naicker New Street,
Madurai – 625 001.
13/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
4.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies,
No.170, EVR Salai,
Kilpauk,
Chennai – 600 010. ... Proforma Respondents/Respondents
Opposite Parties
PRAYER : Civil Revision Petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of
India praying to set aside the order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.No.838 of
2011 on the file of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathi Roy
Senior Counsel
for Mr.S.Rajasekar
for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy Associates
For R – 1 : Mr.S.Manohar
For RR 2 & 3 : No appearance
For R – 4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar
Government Pleader
COMMON ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) These Civil Revision Petitions have been instituted challenging the common order, dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.Nos.829 to 838 of 2011 by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai.
14/20https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/06/2025 11:29:17 am ) C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
2.The Official Liquidator, Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited is the revision petitioner.
3.Aggrieved by the dismissal order passed in C.C.No.274 of 2004 by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Madurai, the first respondent/Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam, Madurai, as complainant has instituted the appeals under the Consumer Protection Act, since the fixed deposits made by the first respondent were not returned by the Bank on request. Since the first respondent as complainant filed the appeals alleging deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai adjudicated the issues and held that the first respondent was entitled for the relief, as the Temple had deposited a huge amount under the fixed deposit scheme, which ought to have been returned on request by the investors of the Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited.
15/20https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/06/2025 11:29:17 am ) C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
4.The Official Liquidator has chosen to file the Civil Revision Petitions mainly on the ground that the Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited was wound up under Section 137 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983 and Liquidator has been appointed.
5.Once a Liquidator is appointed, no legal proceedings are maintainable against the Official Liquidator in view of the express bar contemplated under Section 141 of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983, which reads as under:
“141.Bar of legal proceedings.- Save in so far as is expressly provided in this Act, no civil court shall take cognizance of any matter connected with the winding-up or cancellation of the registration of a registered society under this Act, and when a Liquidator has been appointed, no suit or other legal proceeding shall lie or be proceeded with against the Liquidator as such or against the society or any member thereof on any matter touching the affairs of the registered society, except by leave of the Registrar and subject to such terms as he may impose:16/20
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/06/2025 11:29:17 am ) C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018 Provided that where the winding-up order is cancelled or withdrawn under section 142, the provisions of this section shall cease to operate in respect of the liability of the society and its members to be sued but they shall continue to apply to the Liquidator already appointed.”
6.The learned counsel appearing for the first respondent would submit that the claim applications have already been filed and registered before the Official Liquidator and therefore, they are bound to settle the amount.
7.The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the revision petitioner/Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited would submit that the Liquidator is in the process of settling the issues and the entire deposit will be settled in favour of the first respondent, within a period of six months.
8.In view of the said submission, no further adjudication needs to be undertaken. The revision petitioner/Official Liquidator is directed to settle the amount, as per their undertaking, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, in favour of the first respondent.
17/20https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/06/2025 11:29:17 am ) C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018
9.With these observations, the impugned order dated 15.09.2011 passed in F.A.Nos.829 to 838 of 2011 by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chennai is set aside and the Civil Revision Petitions stand allowed.
There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.
[S.M.S.,J.] & [A.D.M.C.,J.]
23.06.2025
(2/4)
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
Internet : Yes
ps
18/20
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C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018 To
1.The Official Liquidator, Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, 32, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
2.The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Devasthanam, Madurai.
3.The Special Officer, The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
4.The Secretary, The Madurai Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, No.28, Naicker New Street, Madurai – 625 001.
5.The Registrar of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies, No.170, EVR Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010.
19/20https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/06/2025 11:29:17 am ) C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018 S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
and DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.
ps ORDER MADE IN C.R.P(MD)Nos.1462, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698 & 1699 of 2018 DATED : 23.06.2025 (2/4) 20/20 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 30/06/2025 11:29:17 am )