India, July 1 -- Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) cannot cut off essential services, such as garbage collection, or deactivate digital access systems to force residents to pay outstanding maintenance dues, according to a recent ruling by the Haryana Registrar General of Societies. The order draws a clear line between an RWA's right to recover maintenance charges and its authority to enforce them, reaffirming that housing societies cannot use basic civic amenities as a tool for coercion.

Legal experts say the ruling reinforces a long-standing legal principle that is often overlooked by housing societies. While RWAs are fully entitled to recover legitimate maintenance dues, they cannot deny residents access to essential services or imp...