Statutory audits conducted over the past four years have uncovered financial irregularities in 19 cooperative societies across Nagpur district, with criminal cases registered against 62 office-bearers and officials for alleged misappropriation of funds and financial misconduct, according to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The details were provided by the Office of the Divisional Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies (Audit), Nagpur Division, in response to an RTI application filed by activist Abhay Kolarkar.
According to the RTI reply, the number of cooperative societies subjected to statutory audits has increased steadily. In March 2022, audits had been allotted to 3,031 societies, of which 2,503 were completed. By March 2026, the number had risen to 3,662 societies, with 3,050 audits completed. As of May 2026, audits had been assigned to 3,887 societies, but only 58 had been completed, leaving 3,829 audits pending.
The audit findings show that financial irregularities were detected in three societies in 2022, two in 2023, six in 2024, two in 2025 and six between January and May 2026, taking the total number of affected societies to 19.
Following the audit findings, criminal cases were registered against 62 individuals associated with the societies concerned. The highest number of accused—21—was reported in Utthan Nagari Sahakari Pat Sanstha. Cases were also registered against 12 persons in Madhuban Urban Credit Cooperative Society, 11 each in Shambhavi Mahila Urban Credit Cooperative Society and Disha Nagari Sahakari Pat Sanstha, 10 in Jagruti Janseva Urban Credit Cooperative Society, three in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagari Cooperative Credit Society, and one each in Santaji Nagari Pat Sanstha, Jai Bhim Cooperative Credit Society and Ascent Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
Among the cooperative institutions where financial irregularities were reported are Poonam Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Madhuban Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Shivaji Housing Cooperative Society, Ascent Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagari Cooperative Credit Society, Sant Jaganade Maharaj Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Vidarbha Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Chandrabhaga Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Shikshak Sahakari Bank, Swami Sitaram Nagari Cooperative Credit Society, New Orange City Urban Credit Cooperative Society and Dhanalakshmi Nagpur Mahila Cooperative Credit Society.
The RTI documents further reveal that inquiries are still underway against several cooperative societies, including Poonam Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Madhuban Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Ascent Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Shambhavi Mahila Urban Credit Cooperative Society, Shikshak Sahakari Bank, Utthan Nagari Cooperative Credit Society, Swami Sitaram Nagari Cooperative Credit Society and Disha Nagari Cooperative Credit Society.
The audit office, however, stated that it does not maintain records on the number of cooperative societies that have been closed with incomplete audits or the total number of societies that have ceased operations.
The RTI findings have raised fresh concerns over financial governance in the cooperative sector and highlighted the need for stronger regulatory oversight as investigations into the alleged irregularities continue.
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