Dismissed

Mr.Veeraraghavan, v. The Authorised Officer

Madras HC6 Feb 2018WP/2502/2018

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging a possession notice and public notice issued under the SARFAESI Act. The court held that Article 226 is not maintainable as the borrower has an effective alternative remedy before the Debt Recovery Tribunal, citing established precedents.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition dismissed; no costs; connected writ miscellaneous petitions closed.

Mr.Veeraraghavan, Vs The Authorised Officer — Banking and Recovery | Madras HC (2018)

¶1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

¶2

DATED: 6/2/2018

¶3

The Honourable Mr.Justice S.Manikumar

¶4

a n d

¶5

The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.Bhavani Subbaroyan

¶6

Writ Petition No.2502 of 2018

¶7

Mr.Veeraraghavan ... Petitioner

¶8

¶9

The Authorised Officer Indian Overseas Bank Ashok Nagar Branch No.9 Dr. Natesan Road Ashok Nagar Chennai 600 083. ... Respondent

¶10

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the records of the Possession Notice dated 15/10/2015, issued by the respondent, quash the same, and consequentially directing the respondent to withdraw/recall the public notice dated 15/12/2017.

¶11

(Order of the Court was made by S.Manikumar,J)

¶12

Possession notice, dated 15/10/2015 and public notice, dated 15/12/2017, are challenged in the instant writ petition, by the borrower, on the grounds inter alia that there was no mortgage with Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai/respondent.

¶13

Submission has also been made that possession notice, dated 15/10/2015, does not contain the loan details. Petitioner has further contended that in a case registered by Central Bureau of Investigation, in the year 2013, Branch Manager, has been arrayed, as first respondent.

¶14

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶15

For the above said reasons, possession notice, dated 15/10/2015 and public notice, dated 15/12/2017, respectively are challenged.

¶16

Heard Mr.M.Theivakumar learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record.

¶17

Possession notice, dated 15/10/2015, and public notice, dated 15/12/2017, in Dinamani newspaper and Indian Express, dated 15/10/2015, are extracted hereunder:-

¶18

,e;jpad; Xtu;rP!; t';fp

¶19

mnrhf; efh; fpis

¶20

ifafg;gLj;JjYf;fhd mwptpg;g[

¶21

2002?Mz;L brf;a{hpilnrc&d; kw;Wk; hPfd;;!;l ;uf;c&d; Mg; igdhd;rpay; mbrl;!; kw;Wk; brf;a{hpl;o ,d;lbu!;l; rl;lk; mKyhf;fk; Mfpa rl;l';fspd; fPH; brf;c&d; 13(12) kw;Wk; brf;a{hpl;o ,d;lbu!;l; 2002 tpjp 8?d; fPH; mspf;fg;gl;Ls;s mjpfhu';fspd; mog;gilapy;. ,e;jpad; Xtu;rP!; t';fp. mnrhf; efh; fpisapd; mjpfhug;g{h;tkhd mYtyuhd fPnH ifbahg;gkpl;lth; 13/03/2015 njjpapy; fPH;f;fz;ltu;fS;fF xU okhz;l; nehl;O!; mDg;gp[a[s;shh;/

¶22

fld; bgw;wth;- Ihkpd;jhuh;: ; : jpU/R.tPuuhftd;. chpikahsh;; : ; : M/s.tpc&;Zuhk; gpy;lu;!.; vz;/21/ guh';Frg[uk;. brd;id ? 600 024 nehl;Orpy; Fwpg;gpl;Ls;s U:/36.95.15.379-? (U:gha; Kg;gj;jhW nfhona bjhz;Ze;ije;J yl;rj;J gjpide;jhapuj;J Kd;Dhj;J vGgj;bjhd;gJ kl;Lk;) kw;Wk; 14/03/2015 Kjy; tl;oa [ld; nkw;go nehl;O!; fpilj;j 60 ehl;fSf;Fs; jpUk;g brYj;JkhW mwp [tWj;jg;gl;Ls;sJ/

¶23

tPuuhftd;. cupikahsu; M/s.tpc&;Zuhk; gpy;lu;!.; vz;/21/ guh';Frg[uk;. brd;id ? 600 024 nehl;Orpy; Fwpg;gpl;Ls;s U:/36.95.15.379-? (U:gha; Kg;gj;jhW nfhona bjhz;Ze;ije;J yl;rj;J gjpide;jhapuj;J Kd;Dhj;J vGgj;bjhd;gJ kl;Lk;) kw;Wk; 14/03/2015 Kjy; tl;oa[ld; nkw;go nehl;O!; fpilj;j 60 ehl;fSf;Fs; jpUk;g brYj;JkhW mwp[tWj;jg;gl;Ls;sJ/

¶24

fld;bgw;wtu; - $hkPd;jhuh; nkw;go bjhifapid jpUk;gr; brYj;j jtwptpl;lhjhy; nkw;go rl;lj;jpd; brf;c&d; 13(4). tpjp 8?d; fPH;. jdf;Fs;s mjpfhug;go. fPH;f;fz;l brhj;J;ffis. 17/06/2015 njjpapy; t';fpapd; rhh;ghf fPnH ifbahg;gkpl;Ls;sth; ifafg;gLj;jpf;bfhz;Ls;shh; vd;gijf; fld; bgw;wtUf;Fk;. bghJ kf;fSf;Fk; ,jdhy; bjuptpf;fg;gLfpwJ/

¶25

bghJkf;fSk;. Fwpg;ghf fld; bgw;wtu;- $hkPd;jhuh; ,e;jr; brhj;jpd; kPJ vt;tpjkhd eltof;iffspYk; <Lglf; Tlhbjd;Wk;. ,r;brhj;jhdJ ,e;jpad;

¶26

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶27

Xth;rP!; t';fpf;F U:/36.95.15.379-? (U:gha; Kg;gj;jhW nfhona bjhz;Ze;ije;J yl;rj;J gjpide;jhapuj;J Kd;Dhj;J vGgj;bjhd;gJ kl;Lk;) kw;Wk; bjhif jpUk;gr; brYj;jg;gLk; fhyk; tiuapyhd. 14/03/2015 Kjy; nky; tl;of;Fk; bryt [fSf;Fk; Vw;gLj;jg;gl;Ls;s gpizf;F cl;gl;lbjd;Wk; vr;rhpf;fg;gLfpwhh;fs;/

¶28

mirah brhj;J tpguk;

¶29

jpUr;rpuhg;gs;sp gjp[t khtl;lk;. jpUr;ruhg;gs;sp jhYf;fh. ciwa{h; rhh;gjpt [ mYtyfk;. g[j;Jhh; fpuhk;k. rh;nt vz;/72-3. Jiz gjpt[ rh;nt vz;/72-3B, - bcwf;nlh; 0/28/0 Vh;!;. mjw;F ,izahd Vf;fh; 0/70 brd;l; gug;gpy; eilghij kw;Wk; midj;J chpikfSld; ToaJ/

¶30

ciwa{h; rhh;gjpt[ mYtyfk;. g[j;Jhh; fpuhkk;. ru;nt vz;/72-3. Jiz gjp[t [ rh;nt vz;/72-3A-y; cs;s Vf;fh; 0/70 brd;l; epyj;jpy; Vf;fh; 0/09 brd;l; tpw;wJ nghf. kPjp cs;s gFjp epyj;jpd; nkw;F gFjpapy; cs;s Vf;fh; 0/61 brd;l; epyk;. mjw;F ,izahd 26.596 rJuo epyj;jpd;

¶31

ehd;bfy;iyfs;: uh$k;khs;. f-bg/khhpKj;J Kj;Juh$h vd;gtUf;F brhe;jkhd epyj;jpd; tlf;fhf. g[c&;gts;sp. f-bg/ j';fnty; uh$h vd;gtUf;F brhe;jkhd epyj;jpd; bjw;fhf. uhkre;jpud; epyj;jpw;F nkw;fhf. R.nfhghyfpUc&;zd;. j- bg/uhkr;re;jpu Ia';fhh; vd;gtUf;F brhe;jkhd epyj;jpd; fpHf;fhf/

¶32

,jpy; Vf;fh; 0/61 brd;l; mjhtJ. ,jw;F ,izahd 26.596 rJuo epyk; eilghij kw;Wk; midj;J chpikfSld; ToaJ/

¶33

ciwa{h; rhh; gjpt[ mYtyfk;. g[j;Jhh; fpuhkk;. rh;nt vz;/71-1?y; cs;s Vf;fh; 2/05 brd;l; epyj;jpd; bjw;F gFjpapy; mike;Js;s Vf;fh; 0/75 brd;l; epyk;. mjhtJ ,jw;F ,izahd 32.700 rJuo epyj;jpd;

¶34

ehd;bfy;iyfs;: bry;tuh$; kw;Wk; r';fgps;is Mfpnahh;fSf;F brhe;jkhd epyj;jpd; tlf;fhf. tPuuhftdhy; th';fg;g;ll e";ir epyj;jpd; bjw;fhf. uhkyp';fk; tifawht[f;F brhe;jkhd e";ir epyj;jpd; nkw;fhf. T.P. mkph;jyp';fk; tifawht[f;F brhe;jkhd e";ir epyj;jpd; fpHf;fhf.

¶35

,jpy; Vf;fh; 0/75 brd;l; epyk; mjhtJ ,jw;F ,izahd 32.700 rJuo epyk; eilghij kw;Wk; midj;J chpikfSld; ToaJ/

¶36

njjp: 15.10.2015 mjpfhug;g{h;t mjpfhhp ,lk;: brd;id ,e;jpad; Xth;rP!; t';fp

¶37

,e;jpad; Xtu;rP!; t';fp bghJ mwptpg;g[

¶38

jpUr;rp khtl;lg; gjptfk;. ciwa{h; rhh; gjptfj;jpw;F cs;sl';fpaJk;. g[j;Jhh;

¶39

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶40

fpuhkk;. (Fkud; efh;. ng';fh;!; fhydp. 5tJ FWf;F) bjU rh;nt vz; 71-1 (75 brd;l;). 72-3A (61 brd;l;). 72-3B (70 brd;l;)?y; ml';fpaJkhd fhyp (tPl;Lkid) ,lk; jpU/tPuuhftd; vd;gtuhy; ,e;jpad; Xtu;rP!; t';fpf;F mlkhdk; bra;ag;g;lL. gpd;dh; mt;t';fpahy; SARFAESI rl;lj;jpd; fPH; 15/10/2015 md;W ifafg;gLj;jg; ;gl;Ls;sJ/ ,J gw;wpa tpguk; 17./10/2015 njjpapl;l The New Indian Express kw;Wk; jpdkzp ehspjH;fspy; btspahfp cs;sJ/ jpU/tPuuhftd; mth;fs; kPJk; CBI y; tHf;F gjpt[ bra;ag;gl;L mJ epYitapy; cs;sJ/ vdnt nkw;go fhyp ,lj;jpy; t';fp mDkjpapd;wp ntWahUk; chpiknfhunth. RthjPdk; bra;anth. tpy;y';fk; Vw;gLj;jnth ,ayhJ/ kPwpdhy; mJ t';fpia fl;LgLj;jhjJ kl;Lkpd;wp mth;fs; rl;lg;goahd eltof;ifia vjph;bfhs;s nehpLk; vd;gija[k; bjhptpj;Jf;bfhs;fpnwhk;/

¶41

Contention that there was no mortgage with the Bank and that the petitioner is in no way connected with the loan sanctioned by the Indian Overseas Bank, are factual matters, to be proved by adducing evidence before the Tribunal.

¶42

Statute provides for an alternative remedy. Further, Courts have consistently held that when there is an effective and alternative remedy, writ is not maintainable. We deem it fit to consider the following decisions.

¶43

(i) In Precision Fastenings v. State Bank of Mysore, reported in 2010(2) LW 86, a Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court has held as follows:

¶44

"This Court has repeatedly held in a number of decisions right from the decision in Division Electronics Ltd. v. Indian Bank (DB) Markandey Katju, C.J., (2005 (3) C.T.C., 513), that the remedy of the aggrieved party as against the notice issued under Section 13(4) of SARFAESI Act is to approach the appropriate Tribunal and the writ petition is not maintainable. The same position has been succinctly stated by the Hon'ble the Supreme Court in Transcore v. Union Of India (2006 (5) C.T.C. 753) in paragraph No. 26 wherein the Supreme Court has held as under: —

¶45

“The Tribunal under the DRT Act is also the Tribunal under the NPA Act. Under Section 19 of the DRT Act read with Rule 7

¶46

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶47

of the Debts Recovery Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 1993 (1993 Rules), the applicant bank or FI has to pay fees for filing such application to DRT under the DRT Act and, similarly, a borrower, aggrieved by an action under Section 13(4) of NPA Act was entitled to prefer an Application to the DRT under Section 17 of NPA.” (Emphasis added) "

¶48

(ii) In Union Bank of India v. Satyawati Tondon, reported in 2010 (5) LW 193 (SC), the Hon'ble Apex Court at paragraph Nos.16 to 18 and 27 to 29, held as follows:

¶49

"16. The facts of the present case show that even after receipt of notices under Section 13(2) and (4) and order passed under Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act, respondent Nos. 1 and 2 did not bother to pay the outstanding dues. Only a paltry amount of Rs. 50,000/- was paid by respondent No. 1 on 29.10.2007. She did give an undertaking to pay the balance amount in installments but did not honour her commitment. Therefore, the action taken by the appellant for recovery of its dues by issuing notices under Section 13(2) and 13(4) and by filing an application under Section 14 cannot be faulted on any legally permissible ground and, in our view, the Division Bench of the High Court committed serious error by entertaining the writ petition of respondent No. 1.

¶50

There is another reason why the impugned order should be set aside. If respondent No. 1 had any tangible grievance against the notice issued under Section 13(4) or action taken under Section 14, then she could have availed remedy by filing an application under Section 17(1). The expression ‘any person’ used in Section 17(1) is of wide import. It takes within its fold, not only the borrower but also guarantor or any other person who may be affected by the action taken under Section 13(4) or Section 14. Both, the Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal are empowered to pass interim orders under Sections 17 and 18 and are required to decide the matters within a fixed time schedule. It is thus evident that the remedies available to an aggrieved person under the SARFAESI Act are both expeditious and effective. Unfortunately, the High Court overlooked the settled law that the High Court will ordinarily not entertain a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution if an effective remedy is available to the aggrieved person and that this rule applies

¶51

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶52

with greater rigour in matters involving recovery of taxes, cess, fees, other types of public money and the dues of banks and other financial institutions. In our view, while dealing with the petitions involving challenge to the action taken for recovery of the public dues, etc., the High Court must keep in mind that the legislations enacted by Parliament and State Legislatures for recovery of such dues are code unto themselves inasmuch as they not only contain comprehensive procedure for recovery of the dues but also envisage constitution of quasi judicial bodies for redressal of the grievance of any aggrieved person. Therefore, in all such cases, High Court must insist that before availing remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution, a person must exhaust the remedies available under the relevant statute.

¶53

While expressing the aforesaid view, we are conscious that the powers conferred upon the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution to issue to any person or authority, including in appropriate cases, any Government, directions, orders or writs including the five prerogative writs for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III or for any other purpose are very wide and there is no express limitation on exercise of that power but, at the same time, we cannot be oblivious of the rules of self-imposed restraint evolved by this Court, which every High Court is bound to keep in view while exercising power under Article 226 of the Constitution. It is true that the rule of exhaustion of alternative remedy is a rule of discretion and not one of compulsion, but it is difficult to fathom any reason why the High Court should entertain a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution and pass interim order ignoring the fact that the petitioner can avail effective alternative remedy by filing application, appeal, revision, etc. and the particular legislation contains a detailed mechanism for re-dressal of his grievance. It must be remembered that stay of an action initiated by the State and/or its agencies/instrumentalities for recovery of taxes, cess, fees, etc. seriously impedes execution of projects of public importance and disables them from discharging their constitutional and legal obligations towards the citizens. In cases relating to recovery of the dues of banks,

¶54

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶55

financial institutions and secured creditors, stay granted by the High Court would have serious adverse impact on the financial health of such bodies/institutions, which ultimately prove detrimental to the economy of the nation. Therefore, the High Court should be extremely careful and circumspect in exercising its discretion to grant stay in such matters. Of course, if the petitioner is able to show that its case falls within any of the exceptions carved out in Baburam Prakash Chandra Maheshwari v. Antarim Zila Parishad AIR 1969 SC 556, Whirlpool Corporation v. Registrar of Trade Marks, Mumbai (1998) 8 SCC 1=1999-2-L.W. 200 and Harbanslal Sahnia and another v. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and others (2003) 2 SCC 107 and some other judgments, then the High Court may, after considering all the relevant parameters and public interest, pass appropriate interim order.

¶56

It is a matter of serious concern that despite repeated pronouncement of this Court, the High Courts continue to ignore the availability of statutory remedies under the DRT Act and SARFAESI Act and exercise jurisdiction under Article 226 for passing orders which have serious adverse impact on the right of banks and other financial institutions to recover their dues. We hope and trust that in future the High Courts will exercise their discretion in such matters with greater caution, care and circumspection.

¶57

Insofar as this case is concerned, we are convinced that the High Court was not at all justified in injuncting the appellant from taking action in furtherance of notice issued under Section 13(4) of the Act.”

¶58

(iii) In Saraspathy Sundararaj v. Authorised Officer and Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India, reported in (2010) 5 LW 560, a Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court has held as follows:

¶59

"The petitioner has filed this writ petition praying for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the possession notice dated 16.09.2004 issued by the respondent under the SARFAESI Act and consequently direct the respondent to effect the settlement in accordance with the SBI OTS-SME 2010 Scheme as contained in its letter dated 18.03.2010 and unconditionally restore physical possession of the six

¶60

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

¶61

rooms taken physical possession by it at No. 29, Sarojini Street, T. Nagar, Chennai - 17 with such damages.

¶62

... When a specific forum has been created which enables the borrower to challenge the action of the financial institution by filing necessary petition under Section 17, the petitioner is not entitled to invoke the writ jurisdiction of this Court. What could not be achieved by the petitioner by filing a petition before the appropriate Forum, which is at present barred by period of limitation, could not be permitted to be achieved by extending the jurisdiction conferred to this Court under Article 226 of The Constitution of India. Above all, since the petitioner has violated the terms and conditions of the loan by transferring the property in favour of her son, this Court is not inclined to entertain the petition...." 8. In the light of the above discussion and decisions stated supra, we are not inclined to entertain the writ petition. 9. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected Writ Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. Sd/- Asst.Registrar (CS II ) /true copy/ Sub Asst. Registrar To The Authorised Officer Indian Overseas Bank Ashok Nagar Branch No.9 Dr. Natesan Road Ashok Nagar Chennai 600 083.

¶63

+2cc to Mr.M.Theivakumar, Advocate sr.no.8616

¶64

Writ Petition No.2502 of 2018 nr 12/02/2018

¶65

https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

Mr.Veeraraghavan, v. The Authorised Officer

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Mr.Veeraraghavan, v. The Authorised Officer

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Cases cited

Statutes considered

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

Similar cases

Canara Bank, Vs The District Collector

M/s.Vinjane Centre, Vs Hdfc Bank Ltd.

The State of Tamilnadu Vs Tvl. Mdanlal Steel Industries

Venkatesan Raghuram Prasad Vs Income Tax Officer

M/s.Bajaj Finance Limited, Vs The District Magistrate cum

Sarathy Ginning Factory, Vs The Authorised Officer