diff --git a/backend/src/controllers/chitGroupController.js b/backend/src/controllers/chitGroupController.js
index b6366f2..6ebe11d 100644
--- a/backend/src/controllers/chitGroupController.js
+++ b/backend/src/controllers/chitGroupController.js
@@ -369,20 +369,14 @@ const updateChitGroup = async (req, res) => {
   }
 };
 
-// Delete chit group (only if forming and no members)
+// Delete chit group (only if forming and no active members)
 const deleteChitGroup = async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const { groupId } = req.params;
     const managerId = req.user.id;
 
     const chitGroup = await ChitGroup.findOne({
-      where: { id: groupId, manager_id: managerId },
-      include: [
-        {
-          model: GroupMember,
-          as: 'members'
-        }
-      ]
+      where: { id: groupId, manager_id: managerId }
     });
 
     if (!chitGroup) {
@@ -399,10 +393,18 @@ const deleteChitGroup = async (req, res) => {
       });
     }
 
-    if (chitGroup.members.length > 0) {
+    // Count only ACTIVE members (not removed or inactive)
+    const activeMemberCount = await GroupMember.count({
+      where: { 
+        group_id: groupId, 
+        status: 'active' 
+      }
+    });
+
+    if (activeMemberCount > 0) {
       return res.status(400).json({
         success: false,
-        message: 'Cannot delete chit group with existing members'
+        message: `Cannot delete chit group with ${activeMemberCount} active member(s). Please remove all active members first.`
       });
     }