INDIAN BANK (ALLAHABAD BANK) vs ARVINDER SINGH SALUJA on 9 September 2022

**JUDGMENT**

1. The Applicant bank has made this application u/s 19 of the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 (here-in-after referred to as Act) on 08.05.2014, against the defendant to recover **Rs.17,07,322/- (Rs. Seventeen lac seven thousand three hundred twenty two only)** alongwith pendentelite and future interest @ 13.25% per annum with monthly rest from 08.05.2014 till realization.

Subsequently, the case record of the present Original Application 348 of 2014 has been transferred to this Tribunal in view of Notification of Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance dated 15.02.2017 thus the case has been re-numbered as TA 84 of 2018.

2. The application has been duly registered and numbered as above.

3. The brief facts of the case of the applicant bank as stated in the application are as under-

The applicant bank is a body corporate constituted under the Banking Companies (Acquisition & Transfer of Undertakings) Act No. V of 1970 is having its Head Office at 2, Netaji Subhas Road, Kolkata and several branches all over India including Belanganj Branch, Agra (U.P.)

Allahabad Bank merged in Indian Bank, therefore the Indian Bank is substituted in place of Allahabad Bank.

The brief history of the case as gathered from the Original Application are that the defendant, approached the applicant bank for grant of financial assistance in the shape of Term Loan for purchasing one New Tata Truck. The applicant bank considered the request of the defendant and sanctioned a Term Loan of Rs. 18.00 lac together with interest vide its sanction letter dated 29.11.2010. The said credit facility was repayable in 57 monthly instalments of Rs. 43,400/- together with interest thereon at the rate of Base Rate + 3.25% which was applicable at that time @ 11.5% per annum with monthly rest commencing from January, 2011.

Upon sanctioning of the said credit facility, the defendant signed and executed bank's security documents on 29.11.2010 in favour of the applicant bank.

In order to secure the said credit facility, the defendant created charge of hypothecation of entire vehicles in favour of the Applicant Bank.

It is further submitted that the applicant bank had disbursed the loan amount in favour of defendant. It is further submitted that the defendant executed and signed various loan documents in favour of the applicant bank on 29.11.2010. In terms of Agreement it was agreed that the said credit facility were repayable together with @ 11.5% per annum with monthly rest has the rate of interest was agreed @ 11.5% per annum with monthly rest.

The defendant availed the said credit facility but could not adhere with the terms and conditions of the said advance and failed to deposit the monthly instalment regularly and punctually as agreed. The defendant also failed to comply with the terms and conditions mentioned in guarantee agreement and as such a huge amount have become due against the defendants. As a result the account became very sticky in operation and became non performing assets on 31.10.2013. However, the defendants signed and executed various loan documents and confirmed the debt.

4. The applicant bank requested the defendant for adjusting the bank's dues but the defendant neither approached the bank nor paid the dues. Thus, the applicant bank sent a Legal Notices dated 18.01.2014, to the defendant by registered post. Despite service of notice, the defendant failed to comply with the terms of the said notices.

5 Since, the defendant has failed and neglected in spite of several reminders to make payment of the dues recoverable to bank, hence this application has been filed by the bank.

6. U/s 19 (4) of the Act & Rule 11 of the DRT [Procedure] Rules, 1993, copies of application & paper book were sent by this Tribunal to the defendant by registered/speed post on 21.11.2019 requiring the defendant to show-cause within 30 days of the service of summon/notice as to why relief prayed for, should not be granted.

7. Despite the registered summon/notice, the defendant has not appeared before this Tribunal to contest the case. The sufficient time has been given to the defendant to defend his case, but he failed to appear and to file WS, hence, the Tribunal has passed an order to proceed exparte against the defendant on 26.08.2022.

8. To prove its case, the applicant Bank has referred attested copies of various documents before this Tribunal with its Original Application on 08.05.2014. The applicant bank also filed Affidavit in Evidence of Shri Atulya Chandra Sarin, Senior Manager. The details of documents are as follows. :- <table border="1"> <thead> <tr> <th>Sl. No</th> <th>Description of Documents(Attested copies)</th> <th>Date of Execution</th> <th>Amount [In lacs]</th> <th>Signature of executants</th> <th>Ex./ Ann. No.</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Power of attorney</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>Bank</td> <td>1</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Loan Application</td> <td>04.11.2010</td> <td></td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Sanction letter</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Bank</td> <td>3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Acknowledgment letter</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Demand Promissory Note</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>5</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Agreement for Medium Term Loan</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>Undertaking of borrower</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>7</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8.</td> <td>Copy of receipt</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>8</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9.</td> <td>Registration Certificate</td> <td>29.11.2010</td> <td>18.00</td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>9</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10.</td> <td>Legal notice</td> <td>18.01.2014</td> <td></td> <td>Bank</td> <td>10</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11.</td> <td>Debt Acknowledgment</td> <td>20.01.2014</td> <td></td> <td>Defendant</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>12.</td> <td>Statement of account</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>Bank</td> <td>12 v</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

9. Opportunity of hearing has been fully given to both the parties, but despite several opportunities given to defendant, the defendant has not appeared to contest the case, hence, the exparte arguments of learned counsel for applicant bank were heard. Perused the case record and considered.

4DRT, ALLAHABADTA 84 of 2018|JJ

documents to secure the loan. Further submitted that the claim of the bank has been proved by documentary and oral evidence. Ld. Counsel for the applicant bank further submitted that a recovery of Rs. 6,86,500/- has been received during the pendency of the OA..

11. It is further submitted by Ld. Counsel of applicant bank that there is no any stay granted by any Higher Court, in respect of the proceedings of the present OA and requested to issue recovery certificate, as claimed for, in OA.

12. It has been established that defendant is living in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Cause of action also arose in the State of Uttar Pradesh. The said claim on the date of filing of application exceeded Rs.10 lacs. The applicant bank is functioning within jurisdiction of this Tribunal. Therefore, this Tribunal has territorial as well as pecuniary jurisdiction to adjudicate upon the present application.

13. On the issue of Limitation, to prove it, the applicant bank has submitted that the applicant bank has declared that the account as NPA on 31.10.2013 whereas the present application has been filed on 08.05.2014. Even, it is counted for the purpose of Limitation, then it is established that the applicant bank has filed the case within the limitation period from the date of declaring the account as NPA. As such, it is established that present application has been filed well within the period of limitation.

14. In the affidavit of Shri Atulya Chandra Sarin, Senior Manager of the applicant bank has stated that he is well acquainted with the facts of the case and has on verification of record, sworn in the affidavit in support of contents of application and the documents as evidence and established on oath the pleadings and documents of the applicant bank as stated above.

15. The documents as stated above reveal that the defendant has applied for the loan and the bank had sanctioned the loan and to secure the loan and for repayment of loan amount with interests etc., the defendants have executed various loan documents and hypothecated the entire goods, which strengthen the case of the applicant bank.

16. The applicant bank has also furnished statement of accounts as above, which is not only admissible but shall be taken as correct statement of accounts, more so since the entries in the statement of accounts has not been challenged.

17. Since, the defendant was proceeded exparte, contentions raised and documents produced by plaintiff remained unrebutted and the tribunal may act upon the affidavit of the applicant as per law. Defendant has neither denied the utilization of funds advanced by applicant bank nor have pointed out any specific error and discrepancy in the Statement of Accounts, which is kept in due course of business, evidence on affidavit, which has supported the claim of the applicant bank, established to have fully correct and believable. Provisions contained in Section 4 of the Banker's Books Evidence Act, 1891 apply to certified copies of entries in banker's book furnished along with the application filed under

section 19[1] of the Act. Hence, the entries in the Statement of Account are also proved.

18. On consideration of the arguments and on perusal of the application, documents and affidavit, it is proved that the applicant bank has granted the loan facility, documents were executed by the defendant and facility were availed by the defendant as stated in the application.

19. Now, whether interest has been charged as per agreement and as per R.B.I. Guidelines?

20. The applicant bank has sought for recovery of following sum with costs till realization:

- (i) **Rs.17,07,322/- (Rs. Seventeen lac seven thousand three hundred twenty two only)** together with interest @ 13.25% per annum with monthly rest from 08.05.2014 (Against defendant);

- (ii) During the pendency of OA/TA the Applicant Bank recovered **Rs.6,86,500/-** ;

- (iii) **Rs. 17,07,322.00 - Paid Rs. 6,86,500.00 = Rs.10,,20,822.00** **Total amounting to Rs.10,,20,822.00 (Rs. Ten lac twenty thousand eight hundred twenty two only)**

21. Learned Advocate appearing for the applicant bank submits that the applicant bank has charged interest in terms of the agreements and that interest has been charged at such rates, and capitalized at such periodical rests as are permitted by and do not run counter to the directives of Reserve Bank of India.

22. On consideration of the arguments and on perusal of the pleadings, documents and affidavit, it is proved that the applicant has charged interest against defendant in terms of documents and as per directives of R B I, but keeping the facts and circumstances of the case in mind, the defendant deserves some leniency in the rate of interest.

23. Defendant did not appear before the Tribunal to contest the claim made by the applicant, therefore, it necessarily goes to establish that the claim made by the applicant bank is genuine and true. It is manifest that the defendant has not disputed the claim. Therefore, the claim referred to the Tribunal is recoverable till full and final realization of the claim.

24. In Indian Bank Vs. Blue Jagers Estates Limited and others [2010] 8 SCC 129, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has observed as under- *"The Court cannot lose sight of the fact that the bank is a trustee of public fund. It cannot compromise the public interest for benefiting private individuals. Those who take loan and avail financial facility from the bank are duty bound to repay the amount strictly in accordance with the terms of the contract. Any lapse in such matters has to be viewed seriously and the bank is not only entitled but duty bound to recover the*

6DRT, ALLAHABADTA 84 of 2018[J]

*amount by adopting all legally permissible methods. Parliament enacted the act because it was found that legal mechanism available till then was wholly insufficient for recovery of the outstanding dues of the banks and Financial Institutions."*

25. In my view, the case of the bank is well proved by evidence of the applicant bank. The applicant bank is entitled to receive **Rs.10,20,822.00 (Rs. Ten lac twenty thousand eight hundred twenty two only)** from the defendant alongwith pendentelite and future interest @8.75% simple from 08.05.2014 till realization. So the final order may be passed accordingly, to meet the ends of justice.

ORDER

In the result, the application of the applicant bank is, allowed exparte and debt is determined with costs against the defendant and it is, hereby, ordered that the applicant bank is entitled to receive **Rs.10,20,822.00 (Rs. Ten lac twenty thousand eight hundred twenty two only)** from the defendant alongwith pendentelite and future interest @8.75% simple from 08.05.2014 till realization of the entire sum due and recoverable with costs.

In case of failure to repay the aforementioned adjudicated amount within 30 days, same shall be recovered from the sale of the hypothecated vehicles of the Defendant in execution proceedings. The amount, if any, already recovered by sale of hypothecated vehicles or otherwise shall be adjusted towards the debt and only the balance amount shall be recoverable. If the dues of Applicant Bank still remain unsatisfied, the same shall be recovered by attachment and sale of the personal movable and immovable assets of the Defendant. The cost of litigation be also borne by the Defendant.

The Defendant is hereby restrained by means of injunction from depleting, transferring, encumbering, alienating, selling or otherwise dealing with hypothecated vehicles or his other immovable/movable property/estates without first paying the above claim of Applicant Bank/Certificate Holder.

In case, any of the Defendant expire, the legal representatives shall be liable to pay in proportion to the inheritance.

Let a certificate of recovery be drawn up forthwith and put up for signatures in terms of provisions contained in Section 19(22) of the Act to be issued, on the basis of the order of the Tribunal to the Recovery Officer. The Recovery Officer shall realize the amount as per the certificate in the manner and mode prescribed under the Act from the defendant.

Parties are directed to appear before the Recovery Officer, DRT, Allahabad on 11.11.2022. The order be communicated accordingly.

Judgment signed, sealed, dated and pronounced in the open court on this. 9^th Day of September, 2022.

Dictated & Corrected by me

[R. M. Kushawaha] Presiding Officer Debts Recovery Tribunal, Allahabad

[R. M. Kushawaha] Presiding Officer Debts Recovery Tribunal, Allahabad

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