Section 13 of The Societies Registration Act, 1860

13. Provision for dissolution of societies and adjustment of their affairs.—Any number not less than three-fifths of the members of any society may determine that it shall be dissolved, and thereupon it shall be dissolved forthwith, or at the time then agreed upon, and all necessary steps shall be taken for the disposal and settlement of the property of the society, its claims and liabilities, according to the rules of the said society applicable thereto, if any, and if not, then as the governing body shall find expedient, provided that, in the event of any dispute arising among the said governing body or the members of the society, the adjustment of its affairs shall be referred to the principal Court of original civil jurisdiction of the district in which the chief building of the society is situate; and the Court shall make such order in the matter as it shall deem requisite. Assent required.—Provided that no society shall be dissolved unless three-fifths of the members shall have expressed a wish for such dissolution by their votes delivered in person, or by proxy, at a general meeting convened for the purpose: Government consent.—Provided that 1[whenever any Government] is a member of, or a contributor to, or otherwise interested in any society registered under this Act, such society shall not be dissolved 2[without the consent of the Government of the 3[State] of registration.] State Amendments

(Assam) —In section 13—

(i) after the words “as the governing body” insert the words “or special committee formed to replace the governing body in respect of all matters affecting the winding up of the affairs of the society”.
(ii) after the words “the said governing body” insert the words “should it not have been replaced by the aforesaid special committee in respect of all matters affecting the winding up of the society or the said special committee;”

(iii) after section 13, insert the following as the first proviso— “Provided that any matter decided by three-fifths of those present either in person or by proxy at any meeting of the members of the society of the governing body thereof or of any special Committee appointed at a general meeting for the purpose of winding up of the affairs of a society shall not be deemed to be a matter of dispute within the meaning of this section.” [Vide Assam Act 15 of 1948, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 20-10-1948).] Uttar Pradesh.—In section 13, for the words “chief building of the society” substitute the words “registered office of the society”. [Vide U.P. Act 52 of 1975, sec. 7 (w.e.f. 10-10-1975).] Sections 13A and 13B After section 13, insert following new sections, namely:— “13A. Power of Registrar to apply for dissolution.—(1) Where in the opinion of Registrar, there are reasonable grounds to believe in respect of a society registered under this Act that any of the grounds mentioned in clauses (a) to (e) of sub-section (1) of section 13B exists he shall send to the society, a notice calling upon it to show cause within such time as may be specified in the notice why the society be not dissolved.

(2) if on or before the date specified in the notice or within such extended period as the Registrar may allow the society fails to show any cause or if the cause shown is considered by the Registrar to be unsatisfactory, the Registrar, may move the Court referred to in section 13 for making an order of the dissolution of the society.

Complete: The Societies Registration Act, 1860