Wednesday, 28 December 2016

Tenants to seek remedy from DRT before invoking the Writ Jurisdiction of High Court against SARFAESI Action



In its recent Judgment[1], a Division Bench of the Madras High Court has pointed out that the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Act, 2016 (44 of 2016), has provided for an effective and alternative remedy to a person, claiming to be a tenant or has lease hold rights, on the secured asset by approaching the Debt Recovery Tribunal. The Amendment has vested upon the DRTs the jurisdiction to examine whether the lease or tenancy and other parameters, mentioned in Section 4A of the Amended Act and to pass such orders, as deems fit, in accordance with the provisions of Securitisation and Reconstructions of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002.

Noting the observation of the Apex Court in Union Bank of India v Satyavati Tandon that in cases relating to recovery of the dues of banks, 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, the Division Bench held that exercise of writ jurisdiction is extraordinary, only in the absence of alternate and efficacious remedy and when there is an efficacious and alternate remedy under the provisions of the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act or Securitisation And Reconstructions of Financial Assets Act, 2002, as the case may be, a writ petition seeking remedy against SARFAESI action is not maintainable.




[1] B Rajini & Ors v Bank of Baroda, MANU/TN/3454/2016

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