Punjab National Bank vs Mr. S. Jainullabudeen on 27 September 2023

FINAL ORDER

1. This application is filed by the applicant bank under Section 19(1) of Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 against the defendant seeking issuance of a Recovery Certificate for recovery of a sum of Rs.40,20,006/- with further interest at the rate of 14.05% per annum with monthly rests from 01.02.2020 till the date of realisation along with costs of the application.

2. It is the case of the applicant that the defendant approached the applicant bank for grant of Term Loan of Rs.46,00,000/- for purchase of 8 Indigo eCS LS cars for operation as Tax Cabs vide application dated 31.07.2015 and considering the said request vide sanction letter dated 24.08.2015 sanctioned Rs.46 lakhs to the defendant repayable in 58 Equated Monthly Installments of

Rs.1,05,500/- commencing from October 2015. It is stated that the defendant executed necessary documents on 26.08.2015. It is also stated that at the request of the defendant vide letter dated 14.03.2016 the loan was rescheduled by which the loan was to be repaid in 53 Equated Monthly Installments of Rs.1,12,481.81p from March 2016 and the defendant executed Supplementary Term Loan Agreement dated 14.03.2016.

3. It is also the case of the applicant that the defendant violated the terms and conditions of sanction, committed default in repayments and failed to regularize the loan accounts despite repeated request and hence the account was classified as NPA on 11.01.2018. It is stated that the hypothecated vehicles have been sold in public auction and has since been appropriated to the loan account.

4. It is the case of the applicant that after availing the loan, the defendant was irregular in remitting the loan amount. The efforts of the applicant bank to make the defendant to settle the loan did not yield any result, and hence the applicant approached this Tribunal seeking issuance of a Recovery Certificate allowing recovery of the amount due in the account.

5. Summons taken out to the defendant returned with endorsement “Left” and hence the service was completed by substituted service by causing paper publication. As there was no representation on behalf of the defendant and on 16.06.2022, the defendant is called absent and set ex-parte on that day. Applicant Bank filed Proof Affidavit along with 9 documents, which were marked as Ex. A-1 to A-9 on 11.05.2023. The Ld. Counsel for Applicant Bank made his submissions on 04.07.2023 and thereafter the matter stood till this date for passing final orders.

6. The following issues arise for consideration in the matter: - (a) Whether the applicant had succeeded in proving the liability of the defendant?

(b) What order as to cost of the proceedings need be passed?

These issues are considered together.

7. Heard the Ld. Counsel for the applicant, perused the OA averments and the record placed before the Tribunal.

8. The evidence of the applicant is led by AW1 who produced the documents Exhibit A-1 to A-9 along with the proof affidavit. The documents produced in evidence are all found admissible. The proof affidavit of the applicant bank remained unchallenged and unrebutted. Therefore, on careful consideration of proof affidavit along with exhibits filed on behalf of the applicant bank, besides the material placed before the Tribunal, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant bank has successfully proved the OA claim against the defendant. Further, the statement of accounts in respect of the loan account produced and certified under the Banker’s Book Evidence Act, clearly indicates that the amount claimed by the applicant is due from the defendants. It is clear from the statement of accounts that penal interest is not capitalized.

9. In view of the foregoing, it is clearly evident that the application filed by the applicant bank is well within the period of limitation and this Tribunal possesses the territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction to entertain this OA.

10. In view of the fact that the loan facility availed by the defendant is a credit facility for business and the applicant has claimed interest at contractual rate till the date of filing of the OA, this Tribunal is of the view that the pendente lite and future interest can be awarded at reduced rates.

11. In view of the afore mentioned discussions, the only conclusion this Tribunal can draw is that the applicant had clearly proved the disbursement of the loan, which the applicant is entitled to realize. Hence, OA is disposed off in the following manner: - (a) TA No.243 of 2023 stands allowed.

(b) Applicant is permitted to realize an aggregate sum of Rs.40,20,006/- from the defendant together with interest at the rate of 9% per annum (simple), from the date of filing of OA till date of realization after deducting all the amounts received by them during the pendency of OA, and also by selling the other assets of the defendant.

(c) It is made clear that the defendant is personally liable for all such amounts due under the Loan Account.

(d) Applicant is permitted to realize cost of the proceedings and shall file cost memo within 7 days from the date of receipt of the copy of the order.

(e) The Recovery Certificate shall be drawn up and issued to the Recovery Officer in terms of this final order.

12. Communicate a copy of the order to the parties concerned in terms of Section 19(21)(i) of the RDB Act, read with Rule 16 of DRT (Procedure) Rules, 1993. (Dictated to PS, transcribed by him, corrected, signed and pronounced by me in Open Court on this the 27th day of September, 2023) Sd/- (T. RAJESH) PRESIDING OFFICER DRT-II, CHENNAI