Mum: Circular prohibits denial of flats on basis of origin

In response to a recent police complaint filed by Trupti Devrukhkar against the Shiv Sadan Cooperative Housing Society in Mulund, which allegedly denied her office space due to her Maharashtrian ethnicity, the deputy registrar of cooperative societies for 'T' ward, M.B. Mhaske, has issued a circular. The circular serves as a directive to the managing committee members of all housing societies, explicitly instructing them not to deny membership based on factors such as caste, religion, language, and gender, among others. This directive comes after receiving letters from Member of Parliament Manoj Kotak and Mulund MLA Mihir Kotecha. The deputy registrar's office has highlighted that both the Indian Constitution and the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act of 1960 deem it illegal to discriminate against individuals or impose impractical restrictions or conditions based on various criteria. Legal experts have noted that the registrar possesses the authority to grant membership to individuals who have faced discrimination, in accordance with legal provisions. The move towards eradicating discriminatory practices within housing societies is a significant step, ensuring equal access and opportunities for all members, irrespective of their background.