Registration of a cooperative society is a fundamental legal process through which a group of individuals acquires a distinct legal identity and becomes capable of functioning as a corporate body. Courts in India have delivered several important judgments interpreting the provisions relating to registration of cooperative societies under various State Cooperative Societies Acts. These judicial pronouncements have clarified the rights of members, powers of the Registrar, and the legal effect of registration. One of the earliest and most significant cases on this subject is Agricultural Produce Market Committee v. Ashok Harikuni (2000). In this case, the Supreme Court examined whether a cooperative society acquires legal status immediately upon registration and whether such registration can be challenged at a later stage. The Court held that once a cooperative society is registered in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Cooperative Societies Act, it becomes a separate legal entity distinct from its members. The judgment emphasized that registration confers corporate personality on the society and enables it to own property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name. The Court also observed that the Registrar must be satisfied that all statutory requirements are fulfilled before granting registration. Another important case is