Settlement of disputes

Settlement of disputes:—

1. (1) Notwithstanding anything in any law for the time being in force, if any dispute touching the constitution, management or the business of a society, other than a dispute regarding disciplinary action taken by the society or its committee against a paid employee of the society, arises—
   • (a) among members, past members and persons claiming through members, past members and deceased members; or
   • (b) between a member, past member or person claiming through a member, past member or deceased member and the society, its committee or any officer, agent or employee of the society; or
   • (c) between the society or its committee and any past committee, any officer, agent or employee, or any past officer, past agent or past employee or the nominee, heir or legal representative of any deceased officer, deceased agent or deceased employee of the society; or
   • (d) between the society and any other society; such dispute shall be referred to the Registrar for decision. Provided that no dispute shall be referred under this sub-section unless the disputant has deposited in the society the amount, if any, admitted to be due from him to the society.
2. (2) Where any question arises whether for the purposes of sub-section (1), any person is or is not a member of a society, or whether any matter referred to for decision under this section is a dispute or not, the question shall be for the decision of the Registrar and his decision thereon shall be final.
3. (3) The Registrar may, on receipt of such reference,—
   • (a) decide the dispute himself; or
   • (b) transfer it for disposal to any person who has been invested by the Government with powers in that behalf; or
   • (c) refer it for disposal to an arbitrator appointed by the Registrar.
4. (4) The Registrar may, pending the decision of the dispute, make such interlocutory orders as he may deem necessary in the interest of justice.
5. (5) Any person aggrieved by an award or decision of an arbitrator or a person appointed under clause
   • (b) or clause
   • (c) of sub-section
6. (3) may within two months from the date of the award or decision, appeal to the Tribunal.
7. (6) The decision or award of the Registrar, or the arbitrator or the person appointed under sub-section
8. (3) shall, subject to any appeal under sub-section (5), be final and shall not be liable to be called in question in any court.