Section 83(3) in The Maharashtra Co-Operative Societies Act, 1960
(3)(a)All officers, members and past members of the society in respect of which an inquiry is held, and any other person who, in the opinion of the officer holding the enquiry is in possession of information, books and papers relating to the society, shall furnish such information as in their possession, and produce all books and papers relating to the society which are in their custody or power, and otherwise give to the officer holding an inquiry all assistance in connection with the inquiry which they can reasonably give.(b)If any such person refuses to produce to the Registrar or any person authorised by him under sub-section (1), any book or papers which it is his duty under clause (a) to produce or to answer any question which put to him by the Registrar or the person authorised by the Registrar in pursuance of sub-clause (a) the Registrar or the person authorised by the Registrar may certify the refusal and the Registrar after hearing any statement which may be offered in defence punish the defaulter with a penalty not exceeding [five thousand rupees] [These words were substituted for the words 'five hundred rupees' by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 52(b)(i), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).]. Any sum imposed as penalty under this section shall on the application by the Registrar or the person authorised by him to a Magistrate having jurisdiction be recoverable by the Magistrate as if it were a fine imposed by himself.(c)[ The Registrar or the officer authorised by him shall complete the inquiry and submit his report as far as possible within a period of six months and in any case not later than nine months.] [Clause (c) was inserted by Maharashtra Act No. 16 of 2013 dated 13-8-2013, Section 52(b)(ii), (w.e.f. 14-2-2013).]
