Co-operative Court No. 2, Mumbai · Interim order · 22.03.2021
Members can get pen-drive copies of the AGM video recording
In a dispute by a member against his housing society, the Co-operative Court in Mumbai directed the society to give members audio-video recordings of all general body meetings on a pen drive supplied by them, to preserve the recordings for five years and not to charge for copies.
Key points
- The society must provide the audio-video recording of all general body meetings to members who bring a suitable pen drive at their own expense.
- The society must preserve the recordings (on DVD) of every general body meeting for five years from the meeting.
- The society was restrained from charging members for these copies; other prayers were left for the final hearing.
The facts
A member of Jalvayu Vihar Sector ‘A’ CHS, Mumbai, filed a dispute against the society and sought interim directions, including access to recordings of the society’s general body meetings. The copy available is the final page of the order, which contains the operative directions.
What the Court ordered
The interim application was partly allowed. The society was directed to provide the audio-video recordings of all general body meetings to members who approach it with a suitable pen drive, to maintain DVD recordings of every general body meeting for five years, and not to charge members for the copies. The remaining prayers were kept for decision at the hearing.
Why it matters
Many societies now record their AGMs. This order supports members’ access to those recordings, alongside their statutory right to inspect and obtain copies of records under Section 32. Committees should keep recordings safely for at least five years and have a simple procedure for members who ask for copies. Only the last page of the order is available, so the full reasoning is not known.
One-page extract (operative part) in English; the member’s name is omitted on this page. This page summarises the decision for general information; it is not a substitute for the full text and not legal advice. Check whether the decision has since been appealed, modified or overruled.
Have a question about your society?
Write to the office with a brief description of the matter. Meetings are by prior appointment.