The Cooperative Ombudsman has directed Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Multi State Cooperative Credit Society Ltd., Satara, Maharashtra to refund Rs 2.30 lakh along with up-to-date interest to complainant Laxman Niranjan Dombale within 30 days. The order was passed by Alok Agarwal, Cooperative Ombudsman, following non-refund of matured fixed deposits.
As per the complaint dated December 8, 2025, Laxman Niranjan Dombale had invested a total of Rs 2.30 lakh in fixed deposits with the respondent society. The investments comprised Rs 1.30 lakh under FDR No. MIS00551 dated September 4, 2023, and Rs 1.00 lakh under FDR No. MIS00661 dated November 6, 2023. Both deposits were made for a period of one year.
Upon maturity of the deposits, the complainant submitted various applications seeking repayment. His latest request was made through a letter dated October 31, 2025. However, according to the complaint, the society neither refunded the deposit amount nor provided any response to his communications, prompting him to approach the Cooperative Ombudsman.
After receipt of the complaint, the Ombudsman’s office issued a notice to the respondent society on January 5, 2026, followed by a reminder dated January 28, 2026, seeking its response. No reply was received from the society. The notice sent by the office was returned undelivered with the remark “Left address” on the envelope. Additionally, no response was received to the email dated January 28, 2026.
Upon perusal of the facts and available records, it was observed that the respondent society neither refunded the deposit nor responded to the notices issued by the Ombudsman’s office. The order noted that the society had not shown intent to return the money.
After considering the representations, documents submitted, and relevant provisions of law, the Ombudsman disposed of the matter with directions to the society to pay the amount due and claimed by the complainant along with up-to-date interest within 30 days from the date of issuance of the order. The society has also been directed to submit a compliance report to the Ombudsman’s office.
It bears recalling that on February 9, 2026, the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS), through a formal notice, initiated the winding-up process against Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Multi State Cooperative Credit Society Ltd. under the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
The notice stated that the society had failed to file its mandatory annual returns within the prescribed time under Section 120 of the Act and had also not responded to official communications dated March 11, 2024 and June 11, 2024 issued by the authority.
