Page 1 of 1

Massbulletin 18.10.24

RA WCom: Brief note on recent written order from the Madras High Court

Dear Community,

On Friday, 18th October, the Madras High Court issued the full written judgment on the Quo

Warranto case (the judgement had been pronounced on 1st August, 2024 but the full

judgement had not been uploaded) filed by us against the seven residents calling themselves

the Working Committee and recognized by the Governing Board. This written judgement also

addresses the perjury case against Hemant Lamba. Both of these cases were dismissed on 1st

August 2024. The full text of the order is available at this link.

Although we are very satisfied that the wrongful case of perjury against Hemant was dismissed,

we are, of course, not satisfied with the outcome of the Quo Warranto case because it was

dismissed on technical arguments and had some factual errors. Still, the final order recognizes

that "till such time the Regulations are finalized, the directions issued by the First Bench on

04.09.2023 would govern the field qua the management and functioning of Auroville", as has

been highlighted in a recent legal opinion by our lawyer. This order does not legitimize the

group recognized by the GB as they have not been selected by the RA as per Section 20 of the

AVF Act.

We are in consultation with our lawyers about possible next steps to be undertaken to once

again have full recognition of the legitimate groups selected by the Residents' Assembly.

In service,

The Working Committee of the RA

Aravinda, Bharathy, Chali, Mael (on leave), Matthieu, Prashant, Valli