Asiatic Society polls: HC sets aside ACC's 'encroaching' order

The court says ACC went to the extent of directing returning officer to consider a specific membership list

- Urvi Mahajani

The Bombay High Court has ruled that the Assistant Charity Commissioner (ACC) had no authority to interfere with the Asiatic Society's upcoming managing committee elections, setting aside his order that directed the returning officer to rely on a specific membership list finalised on September 27 and scrutinised on October 3.

Emphasising that the conduct of elections lies solely within the returning officer's domain, the court said it would not disturb the polls, which were initially scheduled for November 8.

The HC had passed the order on November 6, but the detailed order copy was made available on Friday.