2007 Supreme(SC) 266

2007(2) Supreme 422
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
(From Allahabad High Court)
Dr. AR. Lakshmanan & Altamas Kabir, JJ.
Manager, ICICI Bank Ltd.—Appellant
versus
Prakash Kaur & Ors.—Respondents
Criminal Appeal No. 267 of 2007
(Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 15 of 2007)
Decided on 26-2-2007
Counsel for the Parties :
For the Appellant : Harish N. Salve, Mukul Rohatgi, Sr. Advocates, P.S. Shroff, Tejas Karia, Ms. Mishra, (for M/s. Suresh A. Shroff & Co.), Advocates.
For the Respondents : Manjeet Chawla and Javed Mahmud Rao, Advocates.

IMPORTANT POINTS
1. The Banks should resort to procedure recognized by law to take possession of vehicles in cases where the borrower may have committed default in payment of the instalments instead of taking to strong arm tactics. The Banks cannot employ goondas to take possession by force.
2. For recovery of bank loans, merely because the Agency System is convenient to the banks, and has been approved by RBI, it should not lead to lawlessness and conduct resulting in challenge to rule of law.

Headnote:Indian Penal Code, 1860—Sections 166, 167, 212, 217, 218, 221 and 120-B, 400, 403, 406, 409, 417 to 422, 424, 466 to 469, 571, 511—Prevention of Corruption Act—Section 13—Registration of criminal case against Bank and its officials—Bank loan—Bank employing alternate means of recovery other than due process of law—Writ petitioner had taken a loan from ICICI Bank for purchase of a truck—On default in payment of instalments and in terms of the agreement entered into between the parties, truck was taken possession of by the bank authorities by use of force on 13-7-2006—Petitioner requested the Bank officials for release of truck which was not accepted—Police complaint filed by petitioner alleging that Bank and its officials had systematically conspired to cheat her by advancing the loan for purchase of truck—However, no FIR registered and no steps taken by police authorities on basis of application filed by petitioner—Writ petition for a direction upon police officials to register a FIR and to save losses to direct recovery of vehicle—High Court directed the police authorities to ensure registration of case on basis of complaint filed by the petitioner and its investigation by a competent police officer—Appeal filed by the Bank while willing to compromise the matter by foregoing the interest payable on outstanding dues—Option given to petitioner to get the vehicle on payment of initial sum of Rs. 50,000/- only—Bank directed to resort to procedure recognized by law to take possession of vehicles in cases of default.

       Held : Be that as it may, we are inclined to accept Mr. Salve’s suggestion and we accordingly direct that upon deposit of a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand) only, the Bank shall forthwith release to the writ petitioner or her agent the truck bearing registration No.UP-78-AN-1951 which had been seized from the writ petitioner’s possession. The writ petitioner assisted by her agent, will sit with the Bank officials for the purpose of reconciling the accounts and in the event it is found that the writ petitioner had not been given credit for certain payments made by her, such payments are to be taken into account and the balance principal amount will then be paid by the writ petitioner-respondent to the Bank in six equal monthly instalments, the last instalment being for any broken amount, if any. The writ petitioner-respondent undertakes not to encumber or dispose of the truck till the final accounting is completed and all dues are cleared. In case of default in payment of subsequent instalments, if any, the Bank will be entitled to re-possess the vehicle in accordance with law.(Para 22)

       The Bank shall forego the interest said to be payable by the writ petitioner and the writ petitioner will also not be entitled to make any claim on account of any damage and wear and tear that may have been caused to the writ petitioner’s vehicle while in the custody of the Bank and its officials.(Para 23)

       Before we part with this matter, we wish to make it clear that we do not appreciate the procedure adopted by the Bank in removing the vehicle from the possession of the writ petitioner. The practice of hiring recovery agents, who are musclemen, is deprecated and needs to be discouraged. The Bank should resort to procedure recognized by law to take possession of vehicles in cases where the borrower may have committed default in payment of the instalments instead of taking resort to strong arm tactics.(Para 25)

       (ii) BANKING—Bank Loans—Role of Recovery Agents—Use of abusive language for recovery—Due process of law RBI guidelines—Banks be held vicariously liable for such acts of agents.

       Held : As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

       FACTORS :

       *The issue of Banks employing alternate means of recovery other than by due process of law i.e., either through Courts, Tribunals, Adalats or Commissions is an issue that has to be viewed from two angles (1) from the angle of the common man and (2) from the angle of the bank.

       REASONS :

       *First of all, the entrance of the multi national banks into the country has spread the culture of Credit Cards, Loans on an unimaginable level where rather than the rich, it is the middle class, the lower middle class and the lower class who are at the receiving end of the bonanzas promised by the Banks.

       *Inadequate information on the Credit Card application, Loan Applications, Advertisements or even while meeting the bankers in person in respect of the lending rates and hidden charges, leads to this class of people being lured into the buying of the Credit Cards or taking of the home loan or education loan without knowing the ramifications of non-payment and default.

       *The first mistake here is most definitely on the part of the bank who does not believe in educating the masses regarding the promises. Once the credit card or loan is taken and there appears a default, then the witch-hunt begins.

       *Now the bank is the aggressor and the public is the victim. The first step to recovery of the money due is through the so called RECOVERY/COLLECTION AGENTS. A very dignified term used for paid recovery agents who are individual and independent contractors hired by the Banks to trace the defaulters and to both physically, mentally and emotionally torture and force them into submitting their dues.

       *A man’s self respect, stature in society are all immaterial to the agent who is only primed at recovery. This is the modernized version of Shylock’s pound of flesh. No explanation is given regarding the interest charge and the bank takes cover under the guise of the holder of the card or loan having signed the agreement whose fine print is never read or explained to the owner.

       *When a harassed man approaches the Court or the police station he is not armed with a recording phone and finds it difficult to give evidence of the abuse he has suffered. Here the bank gets away with everything. Young and Old members of the family threatened on streets, institutions and also at home at godforsaken hours by these agents who have the full support of their contractor bank. The stance taken by the bank in any suit alleging such incidents is that no such agent has been appointed by them or their agents do not misbehave in the manner aforesaid and if found guilty the agents have to bear the cross and the bank gets away scot free.

       *Using of the abusive language for recovery is the norm of the day for most nationalized or multi national bank or non-nationalized bank. Though some are smart enough to record the abuse and proceed to establish the same through Court of Law, most of them are unfortunate not to have recourse to it. Such people form the majority and such litigations are pending in large volumes before the Civil and Consumer Courts. Again the banks escape liability since these agents are not salaried employees of the bank and hence not directly liable for anything.

       *Taking it from the angle of the common man the inflow of software money and high salaries has resulted in uncontrolled expenditure. Rather than utility it is a fashion to carry a card for it makes a statement depending on the type of card one carries.

       *To maintain ones image one pays the price of utilizing the card without realizing that even a single day’s delay in payment results in more than 100 to 200 rupees being charged as default and penalty charges, which if accumulates over a month, results in the charges exceeding the actual payment due.

       *As for loans, when litigation is commenced by the customer against the bank or an institution, then they refuse to divulge the true statement of account stating that it will be produced in court. This gives ample scope for manipulation.

       SUGGESTIONS

       *Chronic defaulters should mean a default of a maximum of three months if intermittent payments have been made.

       *It is mandatory that the banks be held vicariously liable for such acts of agents. These agents have to be identified as registered agents of the bank and should be bought directly under the purview of the RBI.

       *It may be useful that in view of the enormous amount of litigation pending and being filed against the banks that the recovery agents be made employees of the bank and the bank be held liable directly for all actions of such employees.

       *Also every statement sent by the bank should disclose clearly the rate of interest and the default interest and penalty charges separately calculated and added to the amount pending and due by the customer.

       *At the very first month of default, the card should automatically be terminated by the bank to prevent further use/misuse.

       *At the time of issuance of card itself, the issuance letter should contain every single charge being made, explained in simple terms and the penalty the customer will bear for such non-payment.

       *These agents should be held responsible for every background check done on the person to whom the card is issued and the defaulter should be made liable along with the agent. This would ensure that the agent does not source illegal or fraudulent customer.

       *This is dealt with elaborately in the RBI guidelines issued on 21.11.2005 but which still remains only on paper and is not being followed.(Para 1)

       (iii) BANKING—Bank Loans for Purchase of Vehicles—Hire Purchase—Default cases—Seizure of vehicles by Recovery Agents—Need for effective supervisory system to curb abuse of powers—Suggestions made.

       Held : As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

       FACTORS :

       Very many banks and more importantly banks like ICICI have extended liberal credit facilities for purchase of vehicles whether two wheelers or four wheelers, more the number the targets are achieved. This results in a certain amount of default cases. The default can be two-fold – (1) genuine and (2) fraudulent. Both, in the case of genuine and fraudulent the method usually adopted by these institutions is to engage thug/hooligan/gangster for recovery or the two wheelers or four wheelers. Many times even notice is not given to them. They seize the vehicles even in public places deliberately to cause embarrassment. There is no codification till date. This requires immediate attention. In all the cases of hire purchase, advance cheques for a period of 36 months or 48 months or 60 months are obtained and since there is no proper collection process, they not only seize the vehicles but also continue to present the cheques merely to harass the customers. A recent incident has taken place when the Recovery Agent had gone and threatened a school going child for the money due by the father.

       Unless we have an effective supervisory system the abuse will continue.

       SUGGESTION

       Most of the non-banking financial institutions adopt the arbitration route for the purpose of getting a commissioner of the Court appointed for seizing the vehicles.

       The most important aspect would be a broad guideline for fixing the targets, whether they be for lending or for recovery. This would result in a proper balance between the extreme differences of working conditions between the Multinational Commercial Banks and Nationalized and Non-nationalized Banks who are doing the very same credit business with dignity.(Para 1)

       (iv) BANKING—Bank Loans—Role of Recovery Agents—Whether agency systems to be abolished—Suggestions made.

       Held : As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

       FACTORS

       Though there are voices raised stating that the agency system should be abolished, this has to be examined from the view of the bank for whom this system has proved to be extremely productive in view of chronic and regular defaulters and customers who have a premeditated intention of cheating the bank. Such people are identified easily by the agents and produced physically before the bank who resort to all means including the local police help to force such customers to repay their dues.

       REASON

       The delay in the Courts and the in-effective and corrupt police structure enables the bank to seek the help of such agencies which proves to be cost effective and less cumbersome.

       SUGGESTION

       *Abolition of the system is not the answer but effective control over the agency by the respective banks is essential.

       *Even though, the Reserve Bank of India Guidelines permit the use of an Independent Agency, no prescribed qualification or licence is granted.

       *If there could be a guideline only licensed recovery agents would be employed and misuse of the agents as against the borrowers can be eradicated.

       *License also should be granted after the respective agents get through in a course conducted by the banks.

       *In accordance with the RBI Guidelines, in any proven cases the license of the agent should be cancelled with penal consequences on them.

       *This could be the best alternative if the banks do not come forward to employ their own personnel and depute them for recovery of outstandings. (Para 1)

       (v) BANKING—Bank Loans—Recovery of—RBI Guidelines—Regulatory mechanisms—Banking Regulations Act.

       Held : As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

       RBI Guidelines

       *The widely published and circulated guidelines dated 21.11.2005 has constituted a working group on regulatory mechanisms and for fair trade practices.

       *It came into effect as of 30th November, 2005 and covers a wide area pertaining to the rights of the customers and right to privacy, confidentiality, practice of debt collections, Redressal of grievances and monitoring systems to be implemented by the banks.

       *Pursuant to this certain knowledgeable persons/executives aggrieved by the agencies behaviour took recourse through the Ombudsman.

       *Not many are aware of this forum and the banks continue to be safe.

       Banking Regulations Act

       *Banking Regulations Act does not, in any way, provide the details of the conduct of the bank business.

       *It only contemplates the registration of a bank, incorporation of a bank and thereafter puts the bank under the control of RBI.

       *While there are guidelines both for lending and recovery which contemplates that no use of force or abuse is used in recovery proceedings, in the absence of an effective overseeing body, these abuses continues.

       *Since every bank should hold a license issued to carry on the banking business in India by the RBI in accordance with the conditions imposed by the RBI, if and when both nationalized and MNB’s violate any of the rules and regulations consistently over a period of time, then strictures ought to be imposed on such digressing banks to curb their high handed activities and to make them answerable to the general public.

       *Only this would reinstate the confidence of the masses in the banking system who are already burdened with the population of over 60 years of age having lost tremendously on the lowering of the interest rates.

       *The banking procedures should be people friendly at the same time, strict in its enforcement and educative enough to guide the public on the benefits of prudent banking and savings and at the same time, enlighten them on the pitfalls of borrowing or taking credit from institutions for various purposes, way beyond their means.(Para 1)

       (vi) BANKING—Bank Loans—Recovery Process—Multi National Banks and Nationalised Banks—Answerability is to be made the prime criteria in both the sectors—Additional inputs required —Need to create distinct and separate department for recovery, manned by persons who will not resort to violence on force when they are in the process of recovery of dues—Appropriate training is to be given in accordance with RBI guidelines.

       Held : As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

       CONCLUSION :

       On an overall assessment of the system presently existing in India, the Multi National Banks score over the nationalized banks in terms of connectivity and ease in functioning, since they are highly automated and efficient. The staff too is well trained and well paid also. The disadvantage here is that the more the pay, the greater the pressure. Every facility is provided but work is extracted to the maximum irrespective of the age or personal circumstances. In a nationalized bank, since there is no fear of immediate removal, the attitude of the staff is tolerant. No effort is made to go a little more to help the masses. Burden is shifted easily at the lower level. The middle management and higher management are under tremendous pressure, since they are to achieve targets on par with the Multi National Banks. Though there is job security and comfort in pension, there is no answerability. This leads to a recalcitrant attitude and apathy.(Para 1)

       As a conclusion, one can state that though efficiency is necessary, it should not be attained under pressure and this situation would only improve if answerability is made the prime criteria in both the sectors.(Para 2)

       ADDITIONAL INPUTS

       Considering the difficulties of the customers as well as banks, the concept to be developed is to create distinct and separate department for recovery. This should be manned by persons who will not resort to violence or force when they are in the process of recovery of the dues.(Para 3)

       While the fraudulent defaulters can be dealt with by taking the Police help for such action, it is only when law is taken into the hands of the so called recovery agents, who are appointed on contract basis, the issue gets aggravated. A separate wing, wherein appropriate training is given in accordance with RBI guidelines would facilitate the bank in its recovery process and also would provide more responsibilities to the persons so engaged.(Para 4)

       (vii) BANKING—Bank Loans—Recovery Process—Loans whether they are Personal Loans or Credit Cards or Housing Loans with less than Rs. 10 lakhs exposure, can be referred to Lok Adalat—As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.(Para 5)

       (viii) BANKING—Bank Loans—Role of Recovery Agents—Agency must be coupled with a licence issued after conducting examination—Appropriate training should be given to agents who should have requisite qualification and maturity to handle delicate and sensitive situation—Agency system should not lead to lawlessness and conduct resulting in challenge to rule of law—As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.(Para 6)

       (ix) BANKING—Social Responsibility—It is not mere lending the money that matters but also the consequences thereafter—Social responsibility is larger than the banks profit and growth ratio alone—As per Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.(Paras 7 to 9)