Allowed

Punjab National Bank v. Baljit Singh and Another

DRT30 Nov 2024OA/462/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

An application was filed under the RDBFI Act for recovery of a non-performing agricultural loan. The defendants failed to appear. The Tribunal allowed the application, ordered recovery of principal and interest, and directed issuance of a Recovery Certificate along with notice to appear before the Recovery Officer.

What did the court decide?

Recovery certificate issued; defendants ordered to pay Rs. 28,68,770.00 with 8% per annum simple interest; case remanded to Recovery Officer.

Punjab National Bank versus Baljit Singh and Another — Banking and Recovery | DRT (2024)

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DEBTS RECOVERY TRIBUNAL-III, CHANDIGARH

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ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.462/2024

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PRESIDED OVER BYMRIDULESH KUMAR SINGH

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DATE OF INSTITUTION: 31.01.2024

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DATE OF DECISION: 30.11.2024

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Punjab National Bank, a body corporate, and a nationalized Bank constituted, under the Provisions of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertaking) Act 5 of 1970 with its Head Office at Plot No.4, Sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi 110 075 and amongst others a branch at Gill Road Tehsil and District Ludhiana, Punjab through Sh. Sukhpal Grewal, Senior Manager and Attorney holder presently posted at Circle Sastra Centre, Ludhiana.

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……..Applicant Versus 1. Sh. Baljit Singh S/o Sh. Jagir Singh resident of House No.1, St. No.14, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dhandra Road, Dugri Road, Ludhiana, Punjab. Pin code-141116.

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Smt. Jagdish Kaur wife of Sh. Baljit Singh resident of House No.1, St. No.14, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dhandra Road, Dugri Road, Ludhiana, Punjab. Pin code-141116.

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….……Defendants

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Advocates:

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Argued by Sh. Manish Singla, Advocate for Applicant Defendants are ex-parte

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FINAL ORDER

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Present Original Application was instituted by the applicant under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993, against the defendants for recovery of Rs.28,68,770.00 (Rupees Twenty Eight Lacs Sixty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Only). The Original Application has been filed through Sh. Sukhpal Grewal, Senior Manager o f the applicant, who is competent to institute the Original Application vide General Power of Attorney dated 11.09.2023, which is Annexure A1 to this OA.

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The brief facts of the OA are that the defendants had approached the applicant for the grant of OGC Limit of Rs.20.00 Lacs vide Loan Application dated 26.11.2012, which is Annexure A3 to this OA. 3. The applicant sanctioned OGC Limit of Rs.20.00 Lacs vide Sanction Letter dated 26.11.2012, which is Annexure A4 to this OA and the terms and conditions were duly accepted by the defendants. 4. Defendant no.1 had mortgaged his immovable property total Land Measuring 08Kanal-10Marla situated at Village Jhameri, Hadbast No.286, Tehsil & District Ludhiana, Punjab vide Registered Mortgage Deed bearing vasika no.14014 dated 17.12.2012, which is Annexure A6 to this OA. Documents executed:- Amalgamation Gazette Notification dated 04.03.2020, which is Annexure A2 to this OA; Hypothecation Agreement dated 24.12.2012, which is Annexure A5 to this OA; Balance & Security Confirmation Letters dated 30.04.2015, 15.02.2018 & 01.02.2021, which is Annexure A7 to this OA; Notice dated 18.05.2022 which is Annexure A8 to this OA and Statement of Account along with certificate, which is Annexures A9 to this OA. 5. The loan account became irregular and was classified as NPA and after adjusting debit and credit entries in loan account there was a debit of Rs.28,68,770.00, which is recoverable and the defendants were served recall notices but they did not repay the outstanding amount, therefore, the applicant requested to accept the application and to issue Recovery Certificate accordingly. 6. The defendants were served notices to appear before this Tribunal but no one appeared on behalf of defendants and they were proceeded ex-parte on 28.11.2024. 7. In support of the OA, affidavit of Sh. Sukhpal Grewal, Senior Manager, Punjab National Bank has been filed. 8. Heard arguments and perused record.

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It was argued by learned counsel that in view of the documentary evidence brought on record which had gone unrebutted, the applicant had proved its case. From the perusal of all the Annexures A1 to A9 to this OA, it is proved that the defendants approached applicant for availing of the loan facility which was granted to them and for that they had executed all the relevant documents in favour of the applicant. The defendants failed to pay back the loan as per terms and conditions of the agreement between the parties. Subsequently, account of the defendants was classified as NPA. From the documentary evidence brought on record, it is proved that applicant is entitled to recover a sum of Rs.28,68,770.00 (Rupees Twenty Eight Lacs Sixty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Only) along with interest from the defendants, jointly and severally, from the date of filing of the present Original Application till realization of the account.

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In so far as pendent elite and future rate of interest is concerned, the applicant in relief clause has claimed interest @11.75%p.a. with half yearly rests from 25.12.2023 till the realization.

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The Tribunal is of the considered opinion that sometimes in appropriate cases the prerogative of mercy is the brightest jewel in the crown of the Judge. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the instant case including nature of the mortgaged property, undertaking of the defendants, quantum of loan and prevalent market rates of interest which have gone drastically downhill in yester years, while exercising the discretion vested in this Tribunal, this Tribunal deems it just and appropriate to grant uniform simple interest @08.00%p.a. in the loan account from the date of filing of the OA till realization of the amount ordered vide this final order. It is ordered accordingly. 11. In the result, the application is allowed declaring that the defendants are liable to pay to the applicant a total sum of

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Rs.28,68,770.00 (Rupees Twenty Eight Lacs Sixty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Only) jointly and severally, with costs, current and future simple interest @08.00%p.a. in the loan account from the date of filing of OA till the date of realization of the amount. Accordingly, the applicant shall be entitled to recover aforesaid amount from the sale of hypothecated/mortgaged properties of the defendants in execution proceedings if not sold earlier under the provisions of the SARFAESI Act, 2002. If the dues of the still remain unsatisfied, it shall be entitled to recover the same by attachment and sale of personal assets of the defendants. The applicant is at liberty to enforce the claim through due process of law.

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Any other application pending stands disposed of.

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Issue Recovery Certificate accordingly.

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Parties to appear before Learned Recovery Officer of this Tribunal on 06.01.2025.

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Copy of this order be given dasti to the applicant and be sent to defendants through registered/speed post and this order be also uploaded on the official website of this Tribunal and record be consigned. Pronounced by me in the open Tribunal . Dated: 30.11.2024.

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(MRIDULESH KUMAR SINGH) Presiding Officer, DRT-III, Chandigarh

Punjab National Bank v. Baljit Singh and Another

Case brief

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Punjab National Bank v. Baljit Singh and Another

Case brief

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