Court Directs Registrar to Expedite Allotment and Conversion Processes for Senior Citizen Petitioner
In a notable decision, the Delhi High Court has upheld the regularisation of self-draw allotments conducted by cooperative housing societies. The judgment, delivered on May 19, 2026, by a division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain, addresses the grievances of Smt. Nirmala Devi, a 77-year-old senior citizen seeking regularisation of her flat allocation.
Smt. Nirmala Devi, a member of the Jatav Co-operative Group Housing Society, filed a writ petition requesting the regularisation of her allotment for flat no. E-209 at Venus Apartments, Rani Bagh, Delhi. The dispute arose after the self-draw conducted by the society in 1998 was not approved by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS), despite a 'No Objection Certificate' issued by the society and a Power of Attorney executed in her favor.
The court’s judgment emphasizes the need for a pragmatic approach by the RCS, highlighting the undue harassment faced by the petitioner due to prolonged non-allotment, despite valid entitlements. The bench referred to a 2011 decision by the then Lieutenant Governor, which allowed for the regularisation of self-draws conducted before 2010, provided no irregularities were found.
In its directive, the court instructed the RCS to verify the documents and complete the allotment process within two months, further recommending the execution of lease deeds by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The petitioner is also allowed to apply for the conversion of the leasehold to freehold upon completion of necessary formalities.
This judgment underscores the court's stance against procedural technicalities impeding rightful entitlements, offering relief to those affected by similar issues within cooperative housing societies.
Bottom line:-
Regularisation of self-draw allotment by cooperative housing societies and subsequent steps for leasehold to freehold conversion upheld, subject to verification of documents and compliance with formalities.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Cooperative Societies Act
Nirmala Devi v. Registrar of Co Operative Societies, (Delhi)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2902684
