The petitioner challenged the closure of SBI branches in Bidar seeking a writ of mandamus to reopen them. The bench held that branch closure involves commercial considerations and policy, precluding writ jurisdiction. The petition was disposed of without a mandate to reopen branches.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 15TH DAY OF JULY, 2019
PRESENT
THE HON’BLE MR.ABHAY S. OKA, CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE H.T.NARENDRA PRASAD
WRIT PETITION NO.28987 OF 2019 (GM-RES-PIL)
BETWEEN:
GURUNATH VADDE S/O.VAJINATH VADDE AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS R/AT NO.14, SANTOSH COLONY AURAD (B) BIDAR DISTRICT-585 326 ... PETITIONER
(BY MS.RANJITHA V.K. FOR SRI V.SRINIVAS, ADVOCATES)
AND:
THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER WRIT OF LIKE NATURE AND TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PETITIONER GIVEN ON 18.07.2018 (ANNEXURE-B) TO THE WRIT PETITION AND ALSO TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO REOPEN THE STATE BANK OF INDIA BRANCHES IN AURAD (B) TALUK HEAD QUARTERS.
THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, CHIEF JUSTICE MADE THE FOLLOWING:
ORDER
Heard the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner.
With effect from 1st April 2017, there was a merger of State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad and other subsidiaries of State Bank of India with State Bank of India.
Bank of India to restart the two branches which have been
closed down.
should open additional branches or whether a Bank should close down its existing branches involves commercial and other considerations. Moreover, it is a matter of policy. Therefore, a writ of mandamus as prayed for directing State Bank of India to reopen the two branches which were closed cannot be issued. The petition is accordingly disposed of. However, notwithstanding disposal of the petition, it is for State Bank of India to take appropriate decision on the representation made by the petitioner.
Sd/CHIEF JUSTICE
Sd/JUDGE
LB
2 issues framed by the court
Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued directing the State Bank of India to reopen its closed branches.
Whether this court can interfere in commercial decisions regarding the opening or closing of bank branches.
2 provisions across 1 enactments
Gurunath Vadde
Union of India
The Chairman State Bank of India
Abhay S. Oka
H.T. Narendra Prasad
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
