In Brief
A cooperative housing finance corporation challenged whether a Cooperative Court has jurisdiction to hear employment disputes with its employees. The employee had been dismissed and sought relief before the Cooperative Court, arguing it had jurisdiction over 'management' or 'business' disputes. The Supreme Court held that service disputes between cooperative societies and their employees fall outside the jurisdiction of Cooperative Courts. Section 91 of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act covers disputes touching the constitution, elections, or business of the society, not employment matters. The Court concluded that such disputes must be resolved through civil suits or labour law remedies, not Cooperative Courts, as the latter's jurisdiction is limited to statutory categories. The appeal was allowed and the High Court's judgment set aside.
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