88.Power of Registrar to access damages against delinquent promoters, etc
(1) Where, in the course of or as a result of an audit under section 81 or an inquiry under section 83 or an inspection under section 84 or the winding up of a society, the Registrar is satisfied on the basis of the report made by the auditor or the person authorised to make inquiry under section 83 or the person authorised to inspect the books under section 84 or the Liquidator under section 105 or otherwise that any person who has taken any part in the organisation or management of the society or any deceased, or past or present officer of the society has, within a period of five years prior to 1[the date of commencement of such audit or date of order for inquiry, inspection or] winding up, misapplied or retained, or become liable or accountable for, any money or property of the society or has been guilty of misfeasance or breach of trust in relation to the society, the Registrar or a person authorised by him in that behalf may frame charges against such person or persons, and after giving a reasonable opportunity to the person concerned and in the case of a deceased person to his representative who inherits his estate, to answer the charges, make an order requiring him to repay or restore the money or the property or any part thereof, with interest at such rate as the Registrar or the person authorised under this section may determine, or to contribute such sum to the assests of the society by way of compensation in regard to the misapplication, retention, misfeasance or breach of trust, as he may determine :
Provided that, proceedings under this sub-section, shall be completed by the authorised person within a period of two years from the date of issue of order by the Registrar :
Provided further that, the Registrar may, after recording the reasons therefor, extend the said period for a maximum period of six months :]
Provided also that, the Government may, on the report of the Registrar or suo moto, for the reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the said period as may be required, from time to time, to complete the proceedings under this sub-section :
Provided also that, in case of the proceedings under this sub-section which have not been completed within the aforesaid period on the date of commencement of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2017, the Government may, on the report of the Registrar or suo moto, for the reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the period, from time to time, for completion of such proceedings as may be required.]
(2)The Registrar or the person authorised under sub-section (1) on making any order under this section, may provide therein for the payment of the cost or any part thereof, as he thinks just and he may direct that such costs or any part thereof shall be recovered from the person against whom the order has been issued.
(3)This section shall apply, notwithstanding that the act is one for which the person concerned may be criminally responsible.
