M/S Alfa Agro Tech and Anr. v. Central Bank of India and Anr.

Appeal Dy. No. 279/2019 Date: 15.03.2023

M/s Alfa Agro Tech and Anr. Vs. Central Bank of India and Anr.

Present: Shri R. K. Tiwari, Advocate holding brief of Shri Kushal Kant, counsel for the appellants, Shri G. P. Srivastava, counsel for the respondent-Bank, Shri Arif Iqbal, counsel for the respondent no. 2-Auction Purchaser,

Learned counsel for the respondent-Auction Purchaser files reply after serving copy of the same upon the counsel for the appellants, who may file rejoinder by the next date.

In the present case, the appellant has not deposited any amount towards minimum deposit of 25% of the amount due, which is mandatory in nature in view of the third proviso of section 18 of the SARFAESI Act, as the amount realized by the Bank from auction sale of the property of the appellant cannot be taken into consideration towards pre-deposit in view of the judgment passed by the Hon’ble Apex Court in Civil Appeal No. 8969 of 2022- M/s Sidha Neelkanth Paper Industries Private Limited & Another Vs. Prudent ARC Limited & Others decided on 05.01.2023 .

In the waiver application, the learned counsel for the appellant has stated that the property has been auctioned by the respondent-bank, but the same cannot be considered towards pre-deposit in view of the judgment as referred to above. Therefore, the appellant is directed to deposit 25% of the amount due, which is mandatory in nature, by the next date fixed for entertaining the appeal. If the appellant does not deposit the said amount prior to the next date fixed, the appeal shall stand dismissed as not entertainable for want of mandatory pre-deposit without further reference to this court. If the said amount is deposited by the appellant within the stipulated period, list this case on 11.05.2023 for hearing on waiver of the rest 25% of the amount due.