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HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 16th April, 2026
BRAHAM DIN PANDEY & ORS. .....Petitioners
Through: None.
Through: Ms. Urvi Mohan, Adv.
JUDGMENT
1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.
2. While disposing of this Writ Petition on 26th February, 2026, the Court had noted as under:
3. As can be seen from the above order, this Court had noticed that there were a large number of matters involving the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (hereinafter “RCS”), where there were disputes pertaining to allotment of flats, small loan issues, transfer/mutation etc., which could be resolved through Mediation, rather than awaiting adjudication before the Court. Thus, the Court had directed the RCS to coordinate with SAMADHAN - Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre (hereinafter “DHC Mediation Centre”) for holding a mediation drive in respect of such disputes.
4. The Court has today received a status report from the RCS office, as per which, meetings have been held between the RCS office and the DHC Mediation Centre. A list of cases has also been prepared which can be referred to mediation.
5. The Court has considered the status report of the RCS and the note handed over by the DHC Mediation Centre to the Court Master - as per which it appears that several cases involving the RCS can be referred to mediation after following a similar protocol as was followed for the Special Mediation Drive which was directed by the Supreme Court.
6. Parallelly, the Registry of this Court has also prepared a list of matters which are pending in this Court in respect of disputes relating to Cooperative societies. On the basis of the lists which have been prepared, a total of 230 cases were identified, out of which 92 cases related to the Central RCS in which the RCS, GNCTD did not have a role.
7. The total number of cases, thereafter, which were identified in coordination with the RCS office and the Registry are approximately about 170 cases. As per the report, the categories of cases which can be referred to mediation which are found suitable for mediation are: i. Disputes relating to membership; ii. Disputes involving loans granted by Societies, including recovery proceedings; iii. Inheritance/transfer/substitution of membership. iv. Any other category found suitable for mediation.
8. However, as per the DHC Mediation Centre, there are certain categories of cases in which mediation would not be suitable.
9. Accordingly, the cases relating to the three categories as mentioned above, may be listed on a daily basis before the Joint Registrars (Judicial). Notice be issued to the parties and with the consent of all the parties involved in respective matters, the cases be referred to mediation at the DHC Mediation Centre. The standard operating procedure which was followed for the Special Mediation Drive shall also be followed in these matters.
10. The Court has been informed, on enquiry from Mr. Rajeev Virmani – Organising Secretary of the DHC Mediation Centre, that 40 Mediators have been identified by the DHC Mediation Centre who are willing to hold proceedings during the morning hours itself. Accordingly the DHC Mediation Centre shall provide to the respective Joint Registrars (Judicial) the dates and timing when the mediation can be undertaken in the DHC Mediation Centre, as was done in the Special Mediation Drive as well.
11. List for reporting further compliance on 25th May, 2026.
12. The matters as per the list prepared by the Registry, shall now be listed before the Joint Registrars (Judicial) on a daily basis for reference to mediation. The dates and timings for mediation proceedings shall be from May onwards as per the dates and timings given by the Mediation Centre.
PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE MADHU JAIN JUDGE APRIL 16, 2026 Ar/msh