BANK OF RAJASTHAN LTD. Versus VCK SHARES & STOCK BROKING SERVICES LTD

BANK OF RAJASTHAN LTD. Versus VCK SHARES & STOCK BROKING SERVICES LTD

Landmark Cases of India / सुप्रीम कोर्ट के ऐतिहासिक फैसले



REPORTABLE
 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NOS.8972-8973 OF 2014
BANK OF RAJASTHAN LTD. …APPELLANT
Versus
VCK SHARES & STOCK
BROKING SERVICES LTD. …RESPONDENT
J U D G M E N T
SANJAY KISHAN KAUL, J.
1. The present reference arises from a question mark over the legal right
of the borrower to initiate proceedings before a Civil Court against the bank
or financial institution, which seeks to recover a loan amount against it.
The Factual History:
2. The appellant bank, Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. (since amalgamated with
ICICI Bank Ltd.), sanctioned a term loan to the respondent company on
28.06.1994 with a limit of Rs.1.50 crores at interest of 19.25% per annum,
repayable in twelve quarterly instalments. In order to secure the loan, the
1
guarantors including the respondent, inter alia offered title deeds of
immovable properties as security. By mutual agreement, a further credit
overdraft facility was granted on 19.09.1995, up to a limit of Rs.5 crores.
This additional credit was secured by the deposit of shares, stocks, and
securities of various companies. The respondent did not adhere to financial
discipline, resulting in the appellant issuing a notice on 01.07.1997, calling
upon the respondent to settle the term loan account and overdraft facility
account within three days of the receipt of the notice.
3. Since the respondent failed to make the payment, the appellant filed
an application, being OA No.263 of 1997, for recovery of the amounts due
under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial
Institutions Act, 1993 (hereinafter referred to as ‘RDB Act’) before the Debts
Recovery Tribunal, Kolkata (hereinafter referred to as ‘the DRT’) on
21.11.1997. The appellant sought a recovery certificate against the
respondent for Rs.8,62,41,973.36 including interest at the rate of 20.88% per
annum.
4. The respondent entered appearance to defend the proceedings but in
addition also filed a Civil Suit No.77 of 1998 before the Kolkata High Court
2
against the appellant on 06.03.1998. The respondent inter alia, claimed a
decree for sale of the pledged shares, recovery of sale proceeds, and an
inquiry into the losses suffered by the respondent along with a decree for
payment of money after the same.
5. A crucial development took place on 18.03.1998 when the appellant
sold the pledged shares of BFL Software Ltd. for a total sum of
Rs.5,77,68,000/- to adjust the amounts against the dues in view of the
authorisation available with them as a part of the loan transaction. The
respondent, as a sequitur, filed Civil Suit no.129 of 1999 before the High
Court of Calcutta on 09.03.1999 praying, inter alia, for the following reliefs:
“i) A declaration that the sale of shares of BFL Software Ltd. was
void;
ii) a decree for return of pledged shares in respect of overdraft facility
account, and in default to pay Rs. 48.95 crores; and
iii) a declaration that no sum was payable by the Respondent to the
Appellant in respect of the term loan dated 27.07.1994 and Overdraft
Account dated 19.09.1995 and that the Appellant bank was not
entitled to a decree for a sum of Rs. 8,62,41,973.36 from the
Respondent.”
6. The appellant, in those proceedings, filed applications, being GA
No.4206 of 2000 in C.S. No.77 of 1998 and GA No.4171 of 2000 in C.S.
3
No.129 of 1999 in November 2000, seeking rejection of the plaint and
dismissal of the suits filed by the respondent. It was claimed that the suits
were not maintainable and that the High Court lacked jurisdiction as the
same exclusively vested with the DRT. The learned Single Judge vide order
dated 06.09.2022 allowed both the applications of the appellant and directed
the suits to be taken off from the file of the High Court. The respondent filed
two appeals, being APOT No.691 of 2002 (later APO No.488 of 2002) and
APOT No.692 of 2002 (later APO No.489 of 2002), challenging the order
dated 06.09.2022 of the learned Single Judge. The Division Bench vide its
order dated 27.09.2022 stayed the operation of the order of the learned
Single Judge while admitting the appeal.
7. Insofar as the DRT proceedings were concerned, OA No.263 of 1997
was disposed of by the DRT vide order dated 19.05.2003 predicated on a
reasoning that the appellant bank’s claim of Rs.6,04,17,777.36 was satisfied
through sale of pledged shares. It found that the amount actually due under
the proceedings stood settled and paid. The appellant was directed to return
the title deeds of the pledged shares and other securities to respondent. On
the counter claim filed by the respondent, the DRT held that the respondent
was entitled to recover Rs.6,88,187.49 from the appellant within four weeks
4
of the order. The respondent was also granted liberty to file appropriate
proceedings for recovery of dividends on the pledged shares except the sum
of Rs.20,11,337.35 for which set off was allowed in the proceedings.
8. The appellant, feeling aggrieved, proceeded to file an appeal before
the Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal, Kolkata (hereinafter referred to as
‘the DRAT’) with M.A. No.31 of 2003, which was dismissed vide an order
dated 14.11.2003 opining that the appellant should have sold the shares in
1996 and, thus was not entitled to claim interest. The appellant still not
being satisfied moved C.O. No.2777 of 2003 under Article 227 of the
Constitution of India before the Kolkata High Court on 17.11.2003 which
was, however, dismissed in default vide High Court order dated 11.02.2004
but restored later before a Single Judge vide order dated 16.01.2013. We are
informed that these proceedings also stand dismissed on 26.08.2019 and,
thus, there appears to be a quietus to the extent of claim of the bank. The
respondent, in terms of the decree, has also received the amounts due to it
and thus nothing survives qua that aspect.
9. Now, coming back to the suit instituted by the respondent, which was
dismissed by the learned Single Judge on the finding that the Court lacked
5
jurisdiction; the Division Bench allowed the appeals filed by the respondent
against the orders of the learned Single Judge in two cases, and it is the
decision in the two appeals permitting continuation of suits which have been
assailed before this Court.
Rationale of the Division Bench in restoring the suits:
10. The respondent successfully contended before the High Court that
there was no provision under the RDB Act for ousting the jurisdiction of the
Civil Court and to entertain a suit against banks and financial institutions.
There was also no provision to allow for transfer of suits against banks and
the financial institutions which were pending before the Civil Court. It was
thus submitted that the jurisdiction of the Civil Court would remain intact
even after the amendment to the RDB Act effected in the year 2000,
whereby the provisions for set-off and counterclaims were included under
Section 19 of the RDB Act. The newly inserted sub-Sections (7) and (9)
under Section 19 provided that a set-off/counterclaim filed by the borrower
would have the same effect as a plaint in a cross-suit to be determined by the
DRT.
6
11. The case of the appellant was that the proceedings before the DRT
were already pending when the suits were filed by the respondent. Thus, the
issue ought to have been raised in the statement of defence either by way of
set-off or a counterclaim before the DRT. It was pointed out that the
respondent had initially not raised such a counterclaim in the proceedings
before the DRT, but later this issue (subject matter of subsequent suit, being
CS No.129 of 1999) had been added by way of amendment. The respondent
pointed out that under the RDB Act, banks and financial institutions were
placed in an unequal position as they were barred from raising a
counterclaim before the Civil Court.
12. The Division Bench of the High Court opined that as per the view of
this Court in Nahar Industrial Enterprises Ltd. v. Hong Kong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation,
1
 a suit filed by a borrower against the bank
was not barred before the Civil Court, although a suit filed by the bank
against the borrower was barred. This judgment was found to be the
authority on the point as it came subsequent to the other decisions of the
Supreme Court on this issue.
1
(2009) 8 SCC 646.
7
Proceedings before this Court:
13. The reference in the present proceedings arose out of an order dated
17.09.2014 noticing an apparent conflict of views. It was observed that a
two-Judges Bench of this Court in United Bank of India, Calcutta v.
Abhijit Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd. And Others2
 had taken a view that as per the
legislative scheme of the RDB Act, jurisdiction was conferred upon the DRT
to try a counterclaim and set-off under Section 19 of the RDB Act and that
all such counter-claims and set-offs, including a cross-suit filed
independently, should be tried by the DRT.
14. In a later decision in Indian Bank v. ABS Marine Products (P) Ltd.3
a Division Bench of this Court took the view that the jurisdiction of the Civil
Courts was not barred in regard to any suit filed by the borrower against a
bank for any relief. Jurisdiction was barred only in regard to applications by
a bank or a financial institution for recovery of its debts. It was held that
although a counterclaim and set-off may be made under sub-Sections (6) and
(11) of Section 19 of the RDB Act, no jurisdiction was conferred on the
DRT to try independent suits or proceedings initiated by the borrowers. It
was thus held that the borrower had the option to file a separate suit before
2
(2000) 7 SCC 357.
3
(2006) 5 SCC 72.
8
the Civil Court and the counterclaim before the DRT was not the only
remedy. Referring to the earlier judgment in Abhijit Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd. &
Others (supra), the Bench in the Indian Bank (supra) observed that an
independent suit can be deemed to be a counterclaim and can be transferred
to DRT only if the following conditions are satisfied:
“a. The subject matter of the bank’s suit, and the suit of the
defendant against the bank, should be inextricably connected in
the sense that decision in one would affect the decision in the
other.
b. Both parties (the plaintiff in the suit against the bank and the
bank) should agree for the independent suit being considered as
a counter-claim in the bank’s application before the Tribunal, so
that both can be heard and disposed of by the Tribunal.”
15. Another Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in State Bank of India
vs. Ranjan Chemicals Ltd. and Another4
 held that there was no need to
restrict the power of the Civil Court to order joint trial by introducing a
condition that a joint trial could be ordered only with the consent of
both parties. It was observed on the basis of Abhijit Tea Co.’s case that
a claim in an independent suit could be considered as a claim for set-off
and counterclaim within the meaning of Section 19 of the RDB Act.
4
(2007) 1 SCC 97.
9
16. Thus, in the reference order, it was mentioned that subsequent to
the Ranjan Chemicals Ltd. case (supra), another Division Bench in
Nahar Industrial Enterprises Ltd. case (supra) held that the decision in
Ranjan Chemicals Ltd. (supra) could not have departed from the
decision in Indian Bank case (supra), both being Coordinate Benches.
It was thus concluded that there existed a difference of opinion between
several benches of this Court on this issue and it was considered
appropriate to refer the following questions to a larger Bench.
“(a). Whether an independent suit filed by a borrower against a
Bank or Financial Institution, which has applied for recovery of
its loan against the plaintiff under the RDB Act, is liable to be
transferred and tried along with the application under the RDB
Act by the DRT ?
(b). If the answer is in the affirmative, can such transfer be
ordered by a court only with the consent of the plaintiff?
(c). Is the jurisdiction of a Civil Court to try a suit filed by a
borrower against a Bank or Financial Institution ousted by
virtue of the scheme of the RDB Act in relation to the
proceedings for recovery of debt by a Bank or Financial
Institution?”
17. We are thus to opine on the aforesaid questions referred to us.
Plea of the Appellant:
Question No.1
18. The Supreme Court of India in Indian Bank case (supra), Ranjan
10
Chemicals Ltd. case (supra) and Nahar Industrial Enterprises Ltd. case
(supra) has had no cleavage of opinion regarding the first question referred
to a larger bench as they held that an independent suit by a borrower can be
transferred and tried along with the original application by the bank under
the RDB Act. The difference of opinion arose only with respect to consent of
the parties. These decisions have set no bar in law regarding the transfer of
independent suit filed by the borrower against the bank to be decided as a
counterclaim/set-off by the DRT in an original application filed by the bank.
19. The appellant contended that non-consolidation of actions may lead to
multiplicity of actions and conflicting decisions between the same parties on
the same cause of action and, thus, sought answer in the affirmative to the
first question.
Question no.2
20. Mr.V.V. Giri, learned senior counsel for the appellant, while
conceding that consolidation of suits is not superficially provided for under
the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Code’),
contended this Court on multiple occasions has held that the absence of
specific provisions governing consolidation of suits provided for in the
Code, the Court may exercise its inherent powers under Section 151 of the
11
Code directing consolidation.5
21. The only cavil to the proposition is that Section 151 of the Code
cannot be utilised to pass orders contrary to the express provisions of the
Code. In view of this legal position, it was contended that no consent of
parties is required for exercise of the inherent powers of the Court and, thus,
the opinion in Indian Bank’s case (supra) followed in Nahar Industrial
Enterprises case (supra) putting such a consent as a pre-condition to direct
consolidation of suits by the borrowers is contrary to the permissible
exercise of inherent powers of the Court under Section 151 of the Code.
Thus, question no.2 was requested to be answered in the negative.
Question no.3
22. The provisions of RDB Act provide for a complete scheme to try a
counterclaim/set-off filed by the borrower along with a written statement to
an OA filed by the bank as a cross-suit. This was stated to be quite evident
from a plain reading of Section 19(7) and Section 19(9) of the RDB Act. The
overall scheme of Sections 17, 18 and 19 of the RDB Act was contended to
form a bar for the purposes of Section 9 of the Code.
5 Mahalaxmi Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. v. AshabhaiAtmaram Patel, (2013) 4 SCC 404 (Paras
45-46); Chitivasala Jute Mills v. Jaypee Rewa Cement, (2004) 3 SCC 85 (Para 12); and KK Velusamy v.
N. Palanisamy, (2011) 11 SCC 275, (Para 12).
12
23. The extensive provisions i.e. Sections 19(5), (6), (8), (10-A), (10-B),
(13) and (20) regarding filing of counter-claim/set-off, verification of
counter-claim/set-off in a manner similar to the pleadings before Civil
Court, evidence by way of affidavit and provisions regarding crossexamination in rules; demonstrate that sufficient powers have been vested in
the DRT to try claims raised by the borrower inextricably connected with the
claim of the bank. These provisions are enacted to guard against multiplicity
of proceedings in relation to similar subject matters, once before the DRT
and another before the Civil Court. Thus, even Question no.3 was sought for
to be answered in the affirmative.
Submissions on behalf of the respondent:
24. It is contended by Mr. Jaideep Gupta, learned senior counsel for the
respondent, that the RDB Act was enacted with the objective of providing a
summary procedure to enable banks and financial institutions to recover
debts due to them in a speedy manner and it did not oust the jurisdiction of
Civil Courts. The purpose of the statute would be defeated if there was an
influx of civil suits filed by the borrowers against the lenders before the
DRT. It was also pointed out that there were no provisions in the RDB Act
to permit a counterclaim to be adjudicated independently even if the suit of
13
the plaintiff failed.

25. Learned senior counsel for the respondent submitted that as per
Transcore v. Union of India6
 the DRT is a creature of statute and has no
inherent power, which exists in Civil Courts. In Swarka Prasad Agarwal v.
Ramesh Chander Agarwal7
 it was held that a provision seeking to
circumscribe the jurisdiction of a Civil Court would require strict
interpretation and the Court ordinarily leans toward upholding the
jurisdiction of the Civil Courts. Learned senior counsel also sought to rely
on Nagri Pracharini Sabha v. Vth Additional District and Sessions Judge8
and Ramesh Chand Arwaitya v. Anil Panjwani9
 to submit that a litigant
having a grievance of a civil nature has an independent right to institute a
civil suit; and that Civil Court can entertain a civil suit even where a special
Tribunal conferred with the exclusive jurisdiction to try a particular class of
cases exists.
26. It was, thus, urged that the judgment of this Court in Indian Bank
case (supra) and Nahar Industrial Enterprises case (supra) had correctly
declared the law on the subject.
6
(2008) 1 SCC 125
7
(2003) 6 SCC 220
8
(1991) Supp 2 SCC 36
9
(2003) 7 SCC 350
14
The scheme of the RDB Act
27. Banks and financial institutions lend public money to assist
entrepreneurs in their business. Thus, on one hand, there is the interest of
public, whose funds are utilised, while on the other hand are the business
establishments which need funds for their business. Banks and financial
institutions in a sense are intermediaries in the process.
28. Litigation instituted by banks and financial institutions became
coloured by gross delays in the civil proceedings, as a result of which
defaulters were at a premium. Borrowers who maintained financial
discipline were the ones at a disadvantage. The borrowing process was being
misused and a large amount of public funds were stuck in litigation.
29. In order to expedite the recovery of dues, the RDB Act was enacted
by Parliament on 27.08.1993 and brought into force w.e.f. 24.06.1993. The
RDB Act provided for the establishment of a tribunal for expeditious
adjudication and recovery of debts due to banks and financial institutions
and for all matters connected therewith. The RDB Act is comprehensive in
character in terms of providing the methodology towards the said objective.
15
30. In this regard, it would be apposite to note the Statement of Objects
and Reasons for enacting the RDB Act:
“Banks and financial institutions at present experience
considerable difficulties in recovering loans and enforcement of
securities charged with them. The existing procedure for
recovery of debts due to the banks and financial institutions has
blocked a significant portion of their funds in unproductive
assets, the value of which deteriorates with the passage of time.
The Committee on the Financial System headed by Shri M.
Narasimham has considered the setting up of the Special
Tribunals with special powers for adjudication of such matters
and speedy recovery as critical to the successful
implementation of the financial sector reforms. An urgent need
was, therefore, felt to work out a suitable mechanism through
which the dues to the banks and financial institutions could be
realised without delay. In 1981, a Committee under the
chairmanship of Shri T. Tiwari had examined the legal and
other difficulties faced by banks and financial institutions and
suggested remedial measures including changes in law. The
Tiwari Committee had also suggested setting up of Special
Tribunals for recovery of dues of the banks and financial
institutions by following a summary procedure. The setting up
of Special Tribunals will not only fulfil a long-felt need, but
also will be an important step in the implementation of the
report of Narasimham Committee. Whereas on 30-9-1990 more
than fifteen lakhs of cases filed by the public sector banks and
about 304 cases filed by the financial institutions were pending
in various courts, recovery of debts involved more than Rs
5622 crores in dues of public sector banks and about Rs 391
crores of dues of the financial institutions. The locking up of
such huge amount of public money in litigation prevents proper
utilisation and recycling of the funds for the development of the
country.”
16
31. It is pertinent to note that a challenge was laid to the RDB Act as it
originally did not contain any provisions allowing a defendant in an
application filed by a bank to claim any setoff or counterclaim against them.
This issue received consideration in Union of India and Another vs. Delhi
High Court Bar Association and Others10
. By the time the judgment was
made, the RDB Act was suitably amended by Act 1 of 2000 to include such
provisions, and consequently the same were upheld.
The Statutory Framework
32. Chapter III of the RDB Act has the heading ‘Jurisdiction, Powers and
Authority of Tribunals’.
33. Section 17 of the RDB Act delineates the jurisdiction of the DRT as
follows:
“17. Jurisdiction, powers and authority of Tribunals.— (1)
A Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the appointed day, the
jurisdiction, powers and authority to entertain and decide
applications from the banks and financial institutions for
recovery of debts due to such banks and financial institutions.
[(1A) Without prejudice to sub-section (1),—
(a) the Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the date to be
appointed by the Central Government, the jurisdiction,
powers and authority to entertain and decide applications
10 (2002) 4 SCC 275.
17
under Part III of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
(31 of 2016).
(b) the Tribunal shall have circuit sittings in all district
headquarters.]
(2) An Appellate Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the
appointed day, the jurisdiction, powers and authority to
entertain appeals against any order made, or deemed to have
been made, by a Tribunal under this Act.
[(2A) Without prejudice to sub-section (2), the Appellate
Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the date to be
appointed by the Central Government, the jurisdiction,
powers and authority to entertain appeals against the
order made by the Adjudicating Authority under Part III
of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of
2016).]”
34. The expression ‘debt’, as used in Section 17, is defined under Section
2(g) of the RDB Act:
“2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise
requires,—
[(g) “debt” means any liability (inclusive of interest) which is
claimed as due from any person by a bank or a financial
institution or by a consortium of banks or financial institutions
during the course of any business activity undertaken by the
bank or the financial institution or the consortium under any
law for the time being in force, in cash or otherwise, whether
secured or unsecured, or assigned, or whether payable under a
decree or order of any civil court or any arbitration award or
otherwise or under a mortgage and subsisting on, and legally
recoverable on, the date of the application 1 [and includes any
18
liability towards debt securities which remains unpaid in full or
part after notice of ninety days served upon the borrower by the
debenture trustee or any other authority in whose favour
security interest is created for the benefit of holders of debt
securities or;]]"
35. Section 18 creates a bar for the Civil Court in relation to matters
specified under Section 17 of the RDB Act. It provides as under:
“18. Bar of jurisdiction.—On and from the appointed day, no court
or other authority shall have, or be entitled to exercise, any
jurisdiction, powers or authority (except the Supreme Court, and a
High Court exercising jurisdiction under articles 226 and 227 of the
Constitution) in relation to the matters specified in section 17:
[Provided that any proceedings in relation to the recovery of debts due
to any multi-State co-operative bank pending before the date of
commencement of the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery
of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 (1 of 2013) under the MultiState Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) shall be
continued and nothing contained in this section shall, after such
commencement, apply to such proceedings.]”
36. Section 19 relates to the procedure before the DRT for the making of
applications for recovery. It provides as follows:
“[19. Application to the Tribunal.— (1) Where a bank or a financial
institution has to recover any debt from any person, it may make an
application to the Tribunal within the local limits of whose
jurisdiction—
[(a) the branch or any other office of the bank or financial
institution is maintaining an account in which debt claimed is
outstanding, for the time being; or]
19
[(aa)] the defendant, or each of the defendants where there are
more than one, at the time of making the application, actually
and voluntarily resides, or carries on business, or personally
works for gain; or
(b) any of the defendants, where there are more than one, at the
time of making the application, actually and voluntarily resides,
or carries on business, or personally works for gain; or
(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises:
[Provided that the bank or financial institution may, with the
permission of the Debts Recovery Tribunal, on an application made
by it, withdraw the application, whether made before or after the
Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws
(Amendment) Act, 2004 (30 of 2004) for the purpose of taking action
under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and
Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (54 of 2002), if no such
action had been taken earlier under that Act:
Provided further that any application made under the first
proviso for seeking permission from the Debts Recovery Tribunal to
withdraw the application made under sub-section (1) shall be dealt
with by it as expeditiously as possible and disposed of within thirty
days from the date of such application:
Provided also that in case the Debts Recovery Tribunal refuses
to grant permission for withdrawal of the application filed under this
sub-section, it shall pass such orders after recording the reasons
therefor.]
[(1A) Every bank being, multi-State co-operative bank referred
to in sub-clause (vi) of clause (d) of section 2, may, at its option, opt
to initiate proceedings under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies
Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) to recover debts, whether due before or after
the date of commencement of the Enforcement of the Security Interest
and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 (1 of 2013)
from any person instead of making an application under this Chapter.
20
(1B) In case, a bank being, multi-State co-operative bank
referred to in sub-clause (vi) of clause (d) of section 2 has filed an
application under this Chapter and subsequently opts to withdraw the
application for the purpose of initiating proceeding under the MultiState Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) to recover debts,
it may do so with the permission of the Tribunal and every such
application seeking permission from the Tribunal to withdraw the
application made under sub-section (1A) shall be dealt with by it as
expeditiously as possible and disposed of within thirty days from the
date of such application:
Provided that in case the Tribunal refuses to grant permission
for withdrawal of the application filed under this sub-section, it shall
pass such orders after recording the reasons therefor.]
(2) Where a bank or a financial institution, which has to recover
its debt from any person, has filed an application to the Tribunal under
sub-section (1) and against the same person another bank or financial
institution also has claim to recover its debt, then, the later bank or
financial institution may join the applicant bank or financial
institution at any stage of the proceedings, before the final order is
passed, by making an application to that Tribunal.
[(3) Every application under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)
shall be in such form, and shall be accompanied with true copies of all
documents relied on in support of the claim along with such fee, as
may be prescribed:]
Provided that the fee may be prescribed having regard to the
amount of debt to be recovered:
Provided further that nothing contained in this sub-section
relating to fee shall apply to cases transferred to the Tribunal under
sub-section (1) of section 31.
[Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, documents
includes statement of account or any entry in banker’s book duly
21
certified under the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891 (18 of 1891).]
[(3A) Every applicant in the application filed under subsection (1) or sub-section (2) for recovery of debt, shall—
(a) state particulars of the debt secured by security
interest over properties or assets belonging to any of the
defendants and the estimated value of such securities;
(b) if the estimated value of securities is not sufficient to
satisfy the debt claimed, state particulars of any other properties
or assets owned by any of the defendants, if any; and
(c) if the estimated value of such other assets is not
sufficient to recover the debt, seek an order directing the
defendant to disclose to the Tribunal particulars of other
properties or assets owned by the defendants.]
[(3B)] If any application filed before the Tribunal for recovery
of any debt is settled prior to the commencement of the hearing before
that Tribunal or at any stage of the proceedings before the final order
is passed, the applicant may be granted refund to the fees paid by him
at such rates as may be prescribed.]
[(4) On receipt of application under sub-section (1) or subsection (2), the Tribunal shall issue summons with following
directions to the defendant—
(i) to show cause within thirty days of the service of
summons as to why relief prayed for should not be granted;
(ii) direct the defendant to disclose particulars of
properties or assets other than properties and assets specified by
the applicant under clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (3A); and
(iii) to restrain the defendant from dealing with or
disposing of such assets and properties disclosed under clause
22
(c) of sub-section (3A) pending the hearing and disposal of the
application for attachment of properties.]
[(4A) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 65A of the
Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (4 of 1882), the defendant, on service
of summons, shall not transfer by way of sale, lease or otherwise
except in the ordinary course of his business any of the assets over
which security interest is created and other properties and assets
specified or disclosed under sub-section (3A), without the prior
approval of the Tribunal:
Provided that the Tribunal shall not grant such approval without
giving notice to the applicant bank or financial institution to show
cause as to why approval prayed for should not be granted:
Provided further that defendant shall be liable to account for the
sale proceeds realised by sale of secured assets in the ordinary course
of business and deposit such sale proceeds in the account maintained
with the bank or financial institution holding security interest over
such assets.]
[(5) (i) the defendant shall within a period of thirty days from
the date of service of summons, present a written statement of his
defence including claim for set-off under sub-section (6) or a counterclaim under sub-section (8), if any, and such written statement shall
be accompanied with original documents or true copies thereof with
the leave of the Tribunal, relied on by the defendant in his defence:
Provided that where the defendant fails to file the written
statement within the said period of thirty days, the Presiding Officer
may, in exceptional cases and in special circumstances to be recorded
in writing, extend the said period by such further period not exceeding
fifteen days to file the written statement of his defence;
(ii) where the defendant makes a disclosure of any property or
asset pursuant to orders passed by the Tribunal, the provisions of subsection (4A) of this section shall apply to such property or asset;
23
(iii) in case of non-compliance of any order made under clause
(ii) of sub-section (4), the Presiding Officer may, by an order, direct
that the person or officer who is in default, be detained in civil prison
for a term not exceeding three months unless in the meantime the
Presiding Officer directs his release:
Provided that the Presiding Officer shall not pass an order
under this clause without giving an opportunity of being heard to such
person or officer.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, the expression
‘officer who is in default’ shall mean such officer as defined in clause
(60) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013).]
[(5A) On receipt of the written statement of defendant or on
expiry of time granted by the Tribunal to file the written statement,
the Tribunal shall fix a date of hearing for admission or denial of
documents produced by the parties to the proceedings and also for
continuation or vacation of the interim order passed under sub-section
(4).
(5B) Where a defendant makes an admission of the full or part
of the amount of debt due to a bank or financial institution, the
Tribunal shall order such defendant to pay the amount, to the extent of
the admission within a period of thirty days from the date of such
order failing which the Tribunal may issue a certificate in accordance
with the provisions of sub-section (22) to the extent of the amount of
debt due admitted by the defendant.]
(6) Where the defendant claims to set-off against the applicant’s
demand any ascertained sum of money legally recoverable by him
from such applicant, the defendant may, at the first hearing of the
application, but not afterwards unless permitted by the Tribunal,
present a written statement containing the particulars of the debt 2
[the debt sought to be set-off along with original documents and other
evidence relied on in support of claim of set-off in relation to any
ascertained sum of money, against the applicant].
24
(7) The written statement shall have the same effect as a plaint
in a cross-suit so as to enable the Tribunal to pass a final order in
respect both of the original claim and of the set-off.
(8) A defendant in an application may, in addition to his right of
pleading a set-off under sub-section (6), set up, by way of counterclaim against the claim of the applicant, any right or claim in respect
of a cause of action accruing to the defendant against the applicant
either before or after the filing of the application but before the
defendant has delivered his defence or before the time limited for
delivering his defence has expired, whether such counter-claim is in
the nature of a claim for damages or not.
(9) A counter-claim under sub-section (8) shall have the same
effect as a cross-suit so as to enable the Tribunal to pass a final order
on the same application, both on the original claim and on the
counter-claim.
(10) The applicant shall be at liberty to file a written statement
in answer to the counter-claim of the defendant within such period 3
[as may be prescribed].
[(10A) Every application under sub-section (3) or written
statement of defendant under sub-section (5) or claim of set-off under
sub-section (6) or a counter-claim under sub-section (8) by the
defendant, or written statement by the applicant in reply to the
counter-claim, under sub-section (10) or any other pleading
whatsoever, shall be supported by an affidavit sworn in by the
applicant or defendant verifying all the facts and pleadings, the
statements pleading documents and other documentary evidence
annexed to the application or written statement or reply to set-off or
counter-claim, as the case may be:
Provided that if there is any evidence of witnesses to be led by
any party, the affidavits of such witnesses shall be filed
simultaneously by the party with the application or written statement
or replies filed under sub-section (10A).
25
(10B) If any of the facts or pleadings in the application or
written statement are not verified in the manner provided under subsection (10A), a party to the proceedings shall not be allowed to rely
on such facts or pleadings as evidence or any of the matters set out
therein.]
[(11) Where a defendant sets up a counter-claim in the written
statement and in reply to such claim the applicant contends that the
claim thereby raised ought not to be disposed of by way of counterclaim but in an independent action, the Tribunal shall decide such
issue along with the claim of the applicant for recovery of the debt.]
* * * * *
(13)(A) Where, at any stage of the proceedings, 3 [the Tribunal on an
application made by the applicant along with particulars of property to
be attached and estimated value thereof, or otherwise is satisfied], that
the defendant, with intent to obstruct or delay or frustrate the
execution of any order for the recovery of debt that may be passed
against him,—
(i) is about to dispose of the whole or any part of his
property; or
(ii) is about to remove the whole or any part of his property
from the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Tribunal; or
(iii) is likely to cause any damage or mischief to the property
or affect its value by misuse or creating third party
interest,
the Tribunal may direct the defendant, within a time to be fixed by it,
either to furnish security, in such sum as may be specified in the order,
to produce and place at the disposal of the Tribunal, when required,
the said property or the value of the same, or such portion thereof as
may be sufficient to satisfy the certificate for the recovery of the debt,
or to appear and show cause why he should not furnish security.
(B) Where the defendant fails to show cause why he should not
26
furnish security, or fails to furnish the security required, within the
time fixed by the Tribunal, the Tribunal may order the attachment of
the whole or such portion of the properties claimed by the applicant as
the properties secured in his favour or otherwise owned by the
defendant as appears sufficient to satisfy any certificate for the
recovery of debt.
* * * * *
(15) The Tribunal may also in the order direct the conditional
attachment of the whole or any portion of the property specified under
5 [sub-section (13)].
(16) If an order of attachment is made without complying with the
provisions of sub-section (13), such attachment shall be void.
(17) In the case of disobedience of an order made by the Tribunal
under sub-sections (12), (13) and (18) or breach of any of the terms on
which the order was made, the Tribunal may order the properties of
the person guilty of such disobedience or breach to be attached and
may also order such person to be detained in the civil prison for a
term not exceeding three months, unless in the meantime the Tribunal
directs his release.
(18) Where it appears to the Tribunal to be just and convenient, the
Tribunal may, by order—
(a) appoint a receiver of any property, whether before or after
grant of certificate for recovery of debt;
(b) remove any person from the possession or custody of the
property;
(c) commit the same to the possession, custody or management
of the receiver;
(d) confer upon the receiver all such powers, as to bringing and
defending suits in the courts or filing and defending applications
before the Tribunal and for the realisation, management, protection,
preservation and improvement of the property, the collection of the
rents and profits thereof, the application and disposal of such rents
27
and profits, and the execution of documents as the owner himself has,
or such of those powers as the Tribunal thinks fit; and
(e) appoint a Commissioner for preparation of an inventory of
the properties of the defendant or for the sale thereof.
[(19) Where a certificate of recovery is issued against a
company as defined under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) and
such company is under liquidation, the Tribunal may by an order
direct that the sale proceeds of secured assets of such company be
distributed in the same manner as provided in section 326 of the
Companies Act, 2013 or under any other law for the time being in
force.]
[(20) The Tribunal may, after giving the applicant and the
defendant, an opportunity of being heard, in respect of all claims, setoff or counter-claim, if any, and interest on such claims, within thirty
days from the date of conclusion of the hearings, pass interim or final
order as it deems fit which may include order for payment of interest
from the date on which payment of the amount is found due up to the
date of realisation or actual payment.]
[(20A) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Tribunal
that the claim of the applicant has been adjusted wholly or in part by
any lawful agreement or compromise in writing and signed by the
parties or where the defendant has repaid or agreed to repay the claim
of the applicant, the Tribunal shall pass orders recording such
agreement, compromise or satisfaction of the claim.]
(20AA) While passing the final order under sub-section (20),
the Tribunal shall clearly specify the assets of the borrower which
security interest is created in favour of any bank or financial
institution and direct the Recovery Officers to distribute the sale
proceeds of such assets as provided in sub-section (20AB).
(20AB) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
any law for the time being in force, the proceeds from sale of secured
assets shall be distributed in the following orders of priority, namely:
28
(i) the costs incurred for preservation and protection
of secured assets, the costs of valuation, public notice for
possession and auction and other expenses for sale of assets
shall be paid in full;
(ii) debts owed to the bank or financial institution.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, it is hereby
clarified that on or after the commencement of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), in cases where insolvency and
bankruptcy proceedings are pending in respect of secured assets of the
borrower, the distribution of proceeds from the sale of secured assets
shall be subject to the order of priority as provided in that Code.]
[(21) (i) The Tribunal shall send a copy of its final order and the
recovery certificate, to the applicant applicant and defendant.
(ii) The applicant and the defendant may obtain copy of any
order passed by the Tribunal on payment on such fee as may be
prescribed.]
[(22) The Presiding Officer shall issue a certificate of recovery
along with the final order, under sub-section (20), for payment of debt
with interest under his signature to the Recovery Officer for recovery
of the amount of debt specified in the certificate.]
[(22A) Any recovery certificate issued by the Presiding Officer
under sub-section (22) shall be deemed to be decree or order of the
Court for the purposes of initiation of winding up proceedings against
a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) or
Limited Liability Partnership registered under the Limited Liability
Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009) or insolvency proceedings against
any individual or partnership firm under any law for the time being in
force, as the case may be.]
(23) Where the Tribunal, which has issued a certificate of
recovery, is satisfied that the property is situated within the local
limits of the jurisdiction of two or more Tribunals, it may send the
29
copies of the certificate of recovery for execution to such other
Tribunals where the property is situated:
Provided that in a case where the Tribunal to which the
certificate of recovery is sent for execution finds that it has no
jurisdiction to comply with the certificate of recovery, it shall return
the same to the Tribunal which has issued it.
(24) The application made to the Tribunal under sub-section (1)
or sub-section (2) shall be dealt with by it as expeditiously as possible
and 1 [every effort shall be made by it to complete the proceedings in
two hearings, and] to dispose of the application finally within one
hundred and eighty days from the date of receipt of the application.
(25) The Tribunal may made such orders and give such
directions as may be necessary or expedient to give effect to its orders
or to prevent abuse of its process or to secure the ends of justice.]”
37. Section 31 provides for the transfer of pending cases before courts to
the DRT on the date of establishment of the same:
“31. Transfer of pending cases.—(1) Every suit or other proceeding
pending before any court immediately before the date of
establishment of a Tribunal under this Act, being a suit or proceeding
the cause of action whereon it is based is such that it would have
been, if it had arisen after such establishment, within the jurisdiction
of such Tribunal, shall stand transferred on that date to such Tribunal:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any
appeal pending as aforesaid before any court:
[Provided further that any recovery proceedings in relation to
the recovery of debts due to any multi-State co-operative bank
pending before the date of commencement of the Enforcement of
Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act,
2012 (1 of 2013) under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act,
30
2002 (39 of 2002), shall be continued and nothing contained in this
section shall apply to such proceedings.]
(2) Where any suit or other proceeding stands transferred from
any court to a Tribunal under sub-section (1),—
(a) the court shall, as soon as may be after such transfer,
forward the records of such suit or other proceeding to the
Tribunal; and
(b) the Tribunal may, on receipt of such records, proceed
to deal with such suit or other proceeding, so far as may be, in
the same manner as in the case of an application made under
section 19 from the stage which was reached before such
transfer or from any earlier stage 2 *** as the Tribunal may
deed fit.”
The reference before us
38. The interplay of the provisions of the RDB Act and the Code has been
discussed in the aforesaid judgment in Indian Bank’s case (supra). We find
it appropriate to extract the paragraphs which deal with this aspect:
“15. It is evident from Sections 17 and 18 of the Debts Recovery Act
that civil court's jurisdiction is barred only in regard to applications by
a bank or a financial institution for recovery of its debts. The
jurisdiction of civil courts is not barred in regard to any suit filed by a
borrower or any other person against a bank for any relief. It is not
disputed that the Calcutta High Court had jurisdiction to entertain and
dispose of C.S. No.7/1995 filed by the borrower when it was filed and
continues to have jurisdiction to entertain and dispose of the said suit.
There is no provision in the Act for transfer of suits and proceedings,
except section 31 which relates to suit/proceeding by a Bank or
financial institution for recovery of a debt. It is evident from Section
31 that only those cases and proceedings (for recovery of debts due to
31
banks and financial institutions) which were pending before any court
immediately before the date of establishment of a tribunal under
the Debts Recovery Act stood transferred, to the Tribunal. In this case,
there is no dispute that the Debt Recovery Tribunal, Calcutta, was
established long prior to the company filing C.S. No.7/1995 against
the bank. The said suit having been filed long after the date when the
tribunal was established and not being a suit or proceeding instituted
by a bank or financial institution for recovery of a debt, did not
attract section 31.
16. As far as sub-sections (6) to (11) of section 19 are concerned, they
are merely enabling provisions. The Debts Recovery Act, as it
originally stood, did not contain any provision enabling a defendant in
an application filed by the bank/financial institution to claim any set
off or make any counter claim against the bank/financial institution.
On that among other grounds, the Act was held to be unconstitutional
(see Delhi High Court Bar Association vs. Union of India AIR 1995
Delhi 323). During the pendency of appeal against the said decision,
before this Court, the Act was amended by Act 1 of 2000 to remove
the lacuna by providing for set off and counter-claims by defendants
in the applications filed by Banks/financial institution before the
Tribunal. The provisions of the Act as amended were upheld by this
Court in Union of India vs. Delhi High Court Bar Association [2002
(4) SCC 275]. The effect of sub-sections (6) to (11) of Section 19 of
the amended Act is that any defendant in a suit or proceeding initiated
by a bank or financial institution can : (a) claim set off against the
demand of a Bank/financial institution, any ascertained sum of money
legally recoverable by him from such bank/financial institution; and
(b) set-up by way of counter-claim against the claim of a
Bank/financial institution, any right or claim in respect of a cause of
action accruing to such defendant against the bank/financial
institution, either before or after filing of the application, but before
the defendant has delivered his defence or before the time for
delivering the defence has expired, whether such a counter claim is in
the nature of a claim for damages or not. What is significant is
that Sections 17 and 18 have not been amended. Jurisdiction has not
been conferred on the Tribunal, even after amendment, to try
independent suits or proceedings initiated by borrowers or others
against banks/financial institutions, nor the jurisdiction of civil courts
32
barred in regard to such suits or proceedings. The only change that
has been made is to enable defendants to claim set off or make a
counter-claim as provided in sub-sections (6) to (8) of Section 19 in
applications already filed by the bank or financial institutions for
recovery of the amounts due to them. In other words, what is provided
and permitted is a cross-action by a defendant in a pending
application by the bank/financial institution, the intention being to
have the claim of the bank/financial institution made in its application
and the counter-claim or claim for set off of the defendant, as a single
unified proceeding, to be disposed of by a common order.
17. Making a counter claim in the Bank's application before the
Tribunal is not the only remedy, but an option available to the
borrower/defendant. He can also file a separate suit or proceeding
before a civil court or other appropriate forum in respect of his claim
against the Bank and pursue the same. Even the Bank, in whose
application the counter-claim is made, has the option to apply to the
tribunal to exclude the counter-claim of the defendant while
considering its application. When such application is made by the
Bank, the Tribunal may either refuse to exclude the counter-claim and
proceed to consider the Bank's application and the counter-claim
together; or exclude the counter-claim as prayed, and proceed only
with the Bank's application, in which event the counter-claim
becomes an independent claim against a bank/financial institution.
The defendant will then have to approach the civil court in respect of
such excluded counter claim as the Tribunal does not have jurisdiction
to try any independent claim against a bank/financial institution. A
defendant in an application, having an independent claim against the
Bank, cannot be compelled to make his claim against the Bank only
by way of a counter-claim. Nor can his claim by way of independent
suit in a court having jurisdiction, be transferred to a Tribunal against
his wishes.
18. In this case, the first respondent does not wish his case to be
transferred to the Tribunal. It is, therefore, clear that the suit filed by
the first respondent against the Bank in the High Court for recovery of
damages, being an independent suit, and not a counter-claim made in
the application filed by the bank, the Bank's application for transfer of
the said suit to the Tribunal was misconceived and not maintainable.
33
The High Court, where the suit for damages was filed by the company
against the bank, long prior to the bank filing an application before
the tribunal against the company, continues to have jurisdiction in
regard to the suit and its jurisdiction is not excluded or barred
under Section 18 or any other provision of Debts Recovery Act.”
39. On a plain reading of the provisions, the conclusion reached was that
Section 17 of the RDB Act bars the jurisdiction of the Civil Court only in
respect of applications filed by the bank or financial institution. This
provision did not bar the jurisdiction of the Civil Court to try a suit filed by
the borrower. There was also an absence of provisions in the Act for transfer
of suits and proceedings except Section 31, which relates to pending suit
proceedings by a bank or financial institution for recovery of debt.
40. It was noticed that the significant aspect of Sections 17 and 18 of the
RDB Act was that even after establishment of the DRT, no jurisdiction had
been conferred on it to try independent suits or proceedings initiated by the
borrower or others against banks/financial institutions. What has been
permitted is only a cross-action in the form of a counterclaim by a defendant
in the pending application to facilitate a unified proceeding. The most
significant aspect considered in this behalf is set out in para 17 extracted
above - that a counterclaim in a bank’s application before the DRT was not
34
the only remedy, but an option available to the defendant borrower. The
borrower was not precluded from filing a separate suit or proceeding before
a Civil Court or other appropriate forum. Not only that, even the bank, in
whose application a counterclaim is made, has the option to apply to the
DRT to exclude the counterclaim of the defendant while considering its
application. If the DRT were to find in the bank’s favour, the defendant
would have to approach the Civil Court in respect of such excluded
counterclaim, as the DRT does not have jurisdiction to try an independent
claim against the bank/financial institution.
41. The question thus arises as to whether the view expressed in Indian
Bank (supra) is the correct legal proposition in view of certain earlier
judgments as well as latter judgments. We may however notice that the
earlier judgment in the case of Abhijit Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd. (supra), where an
independent suit of a defendant was deemed to be a counterclaim and
transferred to the DRT, was considered and differentiated in the Indian
Bank case (supra). Although both were judgments of Coordinate Benches of
this Court, Indian Bank’s case (supra) opined that the transfer would only
be possible if the subject-matter of the two suits was inextricably connected
and where both parties consented to such transfer.
35
42. In the subsequent judgment in Ranjan Chemicals Ltd. And Another
(supra), the Court went as far as to say that the transfer could be made of the
civil proceedings to the DRT without consent of both the parties and that a
claim in an independent suit could be considered as the claim for set-off or a
counterclaim. This flip-flop-flip continued depending on the view that the
Bench of two Judges wanted to take as thereafter in Nahar Industrial
Enterprises Ltd. (supra), it was found that there was no reason to depart
from the view taken in Indian Bank case (supra), as was sought to be done
in Ranjan Chemicals Ltd. And Another case (supra), and that is how the
reference arose.
Our view:
43. We must note at the threshold itself that there are no restrictions on
the power of a Civil Court under Section 9 of the Code unless expressly or
impliedly excluded. This was also reiterated by a Constitution Bench of this
Court in Dhulabhai vs. State of Madhya Pradesh11. Thus, it is in the
conspectus of the aforesaid proposition that we will have to analyse the rival
contentions of the parties set out above. Our line of thinking is also
influenced by a Three-Judges Bench of this Court in Dwarka Prasad
11 1968 SCR (3) 660.
36
Agarwal (D) By LRs and Anr. v. Ramesh Chander Agarwal and Ors.12
where it was opined that Section 9 of the Code confers jurisdiction upon
Civil Courts to determine all disputes of civil nature unless the same is
barred under statute either expressly or by necessary implication and such a
bar is not to be readily inferred. The provision seeking to bar jurisdiction of
a Civil Court requires strict interpretation and the Court would normally
lean in favour of construction which would uphold the jurisdiction of the
Civil Court.
44. Now, if we turn to the objective of the RDB Act read with the scheme
and provisions thereof; it is abundantly clear that a summary remedy is
provided in respect of claims of banks and financial institutions so that
recovery of the same may not be impeded by the elaborate procedure of the
Code. The defendant has a right to defend the claim and file a counterclaim
in view of sub-Sections (6) and (8) of Section 19 of the RDB Act. In case of
pending proceedings to be transferred to the DRT, Section 31 of the RDB
Act took care of the issue of mere transfer of the Bank’s claim, albeit
without transfer of the counterclaim. Thus, if the debtor desires to institute a
counterclaim, that can be filed before the DRT and will be tried along with
12 (2003) 6 SCC 220.
37
the case. However, it is subject to a caveat that the bank may move for
segregation of that counterclaim to be relegated to a proceeding before a
Civil Court under Section 19(11) of the RDB Act, though such
determination is to take place along with the determination of the claim for
recovery of debt.
45. We are thus of the view that there is no provision in the RDB Act by
which the remedy of a civil suit by a defendant in a claim by the bank is
ousted, but it is the matter of choice of that defendant. Such a defendant may
file a counterclaim, or may be desirous of availing of the more strenuous
procedure established under the Code, and that is a choice which he takes
with the consequences thereof.
46. We may notice that the RDB Act was amended from time to time,
including by amendments made under Act 1 of 2000, Act 30 of 2004, Act 1
of 2013 and Act 44 of 2016. The anomaly, inter alia, initially sought to be
cured was on account of the non-availability of provisions on counterclaim
and set-off. It is to get over such a scenario that amendment through Act 1
of 2000 was made by the Legislature itself to cure the problem. The
Legislature did not, at any stage, make any further amendment for excluding
the jurisdiction of the Civil Court in respect of a claim of a defendant in
38
such a proceeding being filed along with the suit. The Legislature in its
wisdom has also not considered it appropriate to bring any amendment to
enhance the powers of the DRT in this respect.
47. We may also refer to the judgment of this Court in Transcore (supra)
opining that the DRT, being a Tribunal and a creature of the Statute, does not
have any inherent power which inheres in Civil Courts such as Section 151
of the Code.
48. We now draw our attention to Chapter 5 of the RDB Act, which deals
with recovery of debt determined by the DRT. Section 25 of the RDB Act
prescribes the mode of recovery of debts, which takes place pursuant to a
certificate issued under sub-Section (7) of Section 19 to recover the amount
of debt specified in the certificate by any of the modes specified therein.
The expanse of the reliefs the defendant may claim in the suit proceeding
can certainly go beyond mere adjustments of the amounts of claim, for
which the DRT would not have any power.
49. Now, turning to the issue of the power of the Civil Court to transfer an
independent proceeding instituted by a defendant to be tried alongside a
recovery proceeding before the DRT. There is gainsay that there is no
39
specific power to transfer a suit to the DRT. A plaint can be returned only
under the provisions of Order VII Rule 10 of the Code for the reasons
specified therein. In the absence of such reasons, Section 151 of the Code
cannot be utilised as a residuary power to achieve the transfer, which is
really a consequence of return of the plaint when the grounds under Order
VII Rule 10 of the Code are not satisfied. The absence of any legislative
power cannot give a power by implication to the Civil Court. We believe
that it would not be appropriate to read such power to transfer a suit to a
DRT under Section 151 of the Code when the DRT is a creature of a statute
and that statute does not provide for such eventuality.
50. We must also notice an important aspect that even where a defendant
is to invoke the jurisdiction of the DRT by filing a counterclaim, the bank
has a right to seek a relegation of that claim to the Civil Court and the DRT
has been empowered to do so, albeit, at the final adjudication stage. This is
so in view of the summary nature of remedy provided before the DRT and
thus, if certain inquiries beyond the contours of what the DRT does are
envisaged, a Civil Court remedy may be considered as appropriate.
51. Now coming to the question whether consent is required for the
40
transfer of a suit. We do believe that once we have opined that there is no
power of transfer in the Civil Court, the consent or absence of it is not
something which would lend such power to the Civil Court. The option
before the defendant, who has instituted the suit, is clear - either he could
file a counterclaim before the DRT or he could institute separate civil
proceedings.
52. We however have a word of caution keeping in mind the nature of
powers exercised by the DRT and the objective of its creation. The
interpretations in Abhijit Tea Co. and Ranjan Chemicals (supra), seeking to
give power of transfer to the Civil Court, whether by consent or otherwise,
were apparently predicated on an apprehension that a defendant may launch
a suit before the Civil Court in order to delay the proceedings before the
DRT.
53. We certainly would not like that the process envisaged under the RDB
Act be impeded in any manner by filing of a separate suit if a defendant
chooses to do so. A claim petition before the DRT has to proceed in a
particular manner and would so proceed. There can be no question of stay
of those proceedings by way of a civil proceeding instituted by a defendant
41
before the Civil Court. The suit would take its own course while a petition
before the DRT would take its own course. We appreciate that this may be in
the nature of parallel proceedings but then it is the defendant’s own option.
We see no problem with the same as long as the objective of having
expeditious disposal of the claim before the DRT under the RDB Act is not
impeded by filing a civil suit. Thus, it is not open to a defendant, who may
have taken recourse to the Civil Court, to seek a stay on the decision of the
DRT awaiting the verdict of his suit before the Civil Court as it is a matter of
his choice.
54. We thus make it abundantly clear that in case of such an option
exercised by the defendant who filed an independent suit, whatever be the
nature of reliefs, the claim petition under the RDB Act would continue to
proceed expeditiously in terms of the procedure established therein to come
to a conclusion whether a debt is due to a bank and/or financial institution
and whether a recovery certificate ought to be issued in that behalf.
55. We may say that if the Legislature were to think otherwise, nothing
prevented the Legislature nor prevents it now from making suitable
amendments in the RDB Act to meet such a scenario.
42
56. In view of the discussion aforesaid, the questions framed above are to
be answered as under:
(c) Is the jurisdiction of a Civil Court to try a suit filed by a borrower
against a Bank or Financial Institution ousted by virtue of the scheme
of the RDB Act in relation to the proceedings for recovery of debt by
a Bank or Financial Institution?
The aforesaid question ought to be answered first and is answered in
the negative.
(a) Whether an independent suit filed by a borrower against a Bank or
Financial Institution, which has applied for recovery of its loan
against the plaintiff under the RDB Act, is liable to be transferred and
tried along with the application under the RDB Act by the DRT?
In the absence of any such power existing in the Civil Court, an
independent suit filed by the borrower against the bank or financial
institution cannot be transferred to be tried along with application
under the RDB Act, as it is a matter of option of the defendant in the
claim under the RDB Act. However, the proceedings under the RDB
43
Act will not be impeded in any manner by filing of a separate suit
before the Civil Court.
(b) If the answer is in the affirmative, can such transfer be ordered by
a court only with the consent of the plaintiff?
Since there is no such power with the Civil Court, there is no question
of transfer of the suit whether by consent or otherwise.
57. The aforesaid takes care of the reference.
58. Now coming to the factual scenario of the case. The fact is that the
proceedings under the RDB Act in any case have reached a culmination with
satisfaction of the claim and, thus, no proceedings instituted by the appellant
are pending before the DRT. As for the suit, there is no question of a
counterclaim or a transfer or any other manner other than trial of the suit
instituted by the respondent. In fact, some part of the claim of the bank was
not even allowed and some adjustments were directed to be made. Even
thereafter so far as any other claims of the respondent are concerned, the
DRT in terms of the order dated 19.05.2003 permitted the respondent to
pursue the remedy in accordance with law - which can only mean the civil
proceedings. Thus, the suit is liable to proceed accordingly.
44
Conclusion:
59. The civil appeals are accordingly dismissed leaving the parties to bear
their own costs.
60. The judgments in Abhijit Tea Co. (supra) and Ranjan Chemicals Ltd.
(supra) are held not to be laying down the correct legal proposition. The
judgments in Indian Bank (supra) and Nahar Industrial Enterprises
(supra) are affirmed except to the extent that they allow the transfer of a suit
from the Civil Court to the DRT.
...................……………………J.
[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]
 ...................……………………J.
[Abhay S. Oka]
...................……………………J.
[Vikram Nath]
New Delhi.
November 10, 2022.
45

Comments

  1. A Personal Loan for a Marriage can be a useful way to cover wedding expenses. However, it's important to carefully consider the terms and interest rates before taking on debt.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

भारतीय संविधान से संबंधित 100 महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न उतर

100 Questions on Indian Constitution for UPSC 2020 Pre Exam

Atal Pension Yojana-(APY Chart) | अटल पेंशन योजना