Sohan Rai v. The Indian Bank
SARFAESI recovery – Maintainability of Article 226 writ petition
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court, CWJC No.15489 of 2023, decided 21-07-2026 by G. Anupama Chakravarthy, J. Borrower Sohan Rai sought certiorari against Indian Bank's (erstwhile Allahabad Bank) demand notice dated 29.01.2022 requiring deposit of Rs. 18,38,111/- in Loan Account No.20447025643 (CC loan Rs.16,00,000/-; pleaded NPA w.e.f. 12.06.2021) and against memo dated 25.08.2023 handing over possession of his Patna dwelling house; he also sought restraint on penal interest and an extended repayment schedule. The Court disposed of the petition as not maintainable, an effective alternative remedy being available under the SARFAESI Act, following Satyawati Tondon (2010) 8 SCC 110, Celir LLP (2024) 2 SCC 1 and PHR Invent (2024 INSC 297); liberty was granted to approach the appropriate forum, with limitation left for the authority's consideration. Keywords: Article 226, alternative remedy, maintainability, SARFAESI Act, bank dues recovery, NPA, penal interest, physical possession, writ petition disposed.