Ram Niwas Agarwal v. Punjab National Bank

IN THE DEBTS RECOVERY APPELLATE TRIBUNAL AT KOLKATA

Appl. No. 126 of 2018

THE HON’BLE JUSTICE SHRI ANIL KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON

22.08.2023

Ram Niwas Agarwal

… Appellant Vs. AO, United Bank of India ….. Respondents

For Appellant : Mr. Dipanjan Dutta, ld. Counsel. Mr. S. Chowdhury, ld.. counsel. For Respondent : Ms. Aruna Ghosh, ld.counsel.

THE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL :

Supplementary affidavit filed by the appellant is taken on record. This appeal is pending since 2018. It appears that Punjab National Bank is the respondent who has been duly served. Despite service, neither any officer of the Punjab National Bank nor any learned advocate on their behalf is appearing. The appeal is to be disposed of on merit, but bank is not represented through its advocate nor send any officer to assist the Tribunal.

Let a notice be issued to the Zonal Manager, Kolkata, Punjab National Bank, United Tower, 11, Hemanta Basu Sarani, B.B.D Bag, Kolkata – 700001 intimating the fact that despite granting sufficient time and service of notice neither any bank officer nor learned advocate on their behalf is appearing to contest the matter for the reasons best known to them. It should also be informed that if on the next date of hearing competent officer of the bank is not present to assist the Tribunal the matter shall be disposed of on merit and it shall also be brought to the notice of the Ministry of Finance for initiating appropriate action against the erring officer of the bank. Registry is directed to comply with this order within three days.