STATE BANK OF INDIA vs Laxmi Devi AND ANR on 21 October 2026

1. The respondent no.1 filed S.A. bearing No. 357/2015 titled as **Laxmi Devi and another v State Bank of India and another** which is stated to be pending before DRT-III, Delhi. In the present appeal the challenge is to order dated 19.02.2020 whereby the direction was issued to the appellant to take conscious decision for settlement as well as the direction was also issued to the Zonal Head to file affidavit to the effect that the name of the officer who has sanctioned the loan as there was some fraudulent transaction. The Zonal Head was also directed to remain present before the DRT-III, Delhi.

2. Sh. Bheem Sain Jain, Counsel for appellant during the course of argument has referred the order dated 05.03.2020 passed by this Tribunal and argued that the DRT-III, Delhi is not legally competent to force or compel the appellant to accept the OTS submitted on behalf of respondent no.1, the person who was claiming the title through her husband. He also referred the judgment which are cited in the order dated 05.03.2020. Sh. Bheem Sain Jain, Counsel for the appellant also informed that the S.A. bearing No. 357/2015 is still pending for consideration before DRT-III, Delhi.

3. There is a force in contention and argument advanced by Sh. Bheem Sain Jain, Counsel for the appellant that the appellant cannot be forced to accept the OTS which can only be done as per rules and regulations and procedure established by the appellant. The DRT-III, Delhi was not within its legal right to force or asked the appellant to accept one particular OTS stated to have been submitted on behalf of respondent no.1. After considering all facts, the impugned order dated 19.02.2020 is set aside and the DRT-III, Delhi is directed to proceed with the trial of S.A. bearing No. 357/2015 in accordance with law. It is also informed that now the present S.A. is pending before DRT-II, Delhi. It is also made clear that in pursuance of order dated 19.02.2020 there is no need for the Zonal Head of the appellant to present physically before the DRT-II, Delhi in pursuance to the order dated 19.02.2020. The present appeal is accordingly along with pending application, if any, disposed of.

4. The copy of this order be sent to DRT-II, Delhi for information and compliance.

----- **(Dr. Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain)** **Chairperson**

-N