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2021 Supreme(Ker) 1146

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
Murali Purushothaman, J.
The District Registrar (General) and ors.– Petitioners
Versus
Farzana Khatoon @ Farzana Parvez D/O.Sekh Roshan and ors. – Respondents
RP No. 525 of 2021
Decided On : 15-11-2021

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Sri.Jafar Khan
For the Respondent: Sri.Retheesh N.A, Presun S., Adv.

Headnote:KEYWORD - Review Petition Subject: Registration of sale certificate and attachment for sales tax dues 1. Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) - Section 13, Section 26E 2. Kerala General Sales Tax Act (KGST Act) - Section 26B 3. Kerala Value Added Tax Act (KVAT Act) - Section 38 4. Kerala Registration Act, 1908 - Section 72 The court is reviewing an interim order that directed the registration of a sale certificate for a property. The property was put up for sale in an e-auction under the provisions of the SARFAESI Act. The writ petitioner, who was the successful bidder, faced refusal from the Sub Registrar to register the sale certificate due to an order of attachment for sales tax dues. The review petitioners argue that the sales tax dues create a statutory first charge on the property, while the writ petitioner contends that the attachment does not bind the purchaser under the SARFAESI Act. The court examines the relevant provisions of the KGST Act, KVAT Act, and SARFAESI Act, as well as previous judgments, to determine the priority of the sales tax dues and the rights of the secured creditor. The court concludes that the order does not require review and dismisses the review petition.

Fact of the Case:

The writ petitioner participated in an e-auction and was issued a sale certificate for a property. However, the Sub Registrar refused to register the certificate due to an order of attachment for sales tax dues. The writ petitioner filed a writ petition to accept the sale certificate for registration.

Finding of the Court:

The court finds that the order of attachment for sales tax dues was effected after the mortgage of the property and that the sale conducted under the SARFAESI Act takes precedence over statutory charges due to the government. The court also notes that previous judgments have affirmed that attachments subsequent to the mortgage do not affect the title and ownership of the purchaser under the SARFAESI Act.

Ratio Decidendi:

The court determines that the sales tax dues do not create a statutory first charge on the property and that the sale conducted under the SARFAESI Act takes priority over the rights of the government to recover the dues. The court relies on the provisions of the SARFAESI Act, KGST Act, and KVAT Act, as well as previous judgments, to support its decision. Final Decision: The court dismisses the review petition, stating that there is no reason to review the interim order directing the registration of the sale certificate. No costs are awarded.

ORDER :

Respondents 1, 2 and 4 in W.P. (C) No. 530 of 2021 have filed this Review Petition to review the interim order dated 16.04.2021 passed by this Court in the writ petition. The writ petition was filed by the auction purchaser of a property against the refusal of the Sub Registrar, Ernakulam to register Ext.P8 sale certificate.

2. The property covered by Ext.P8 sale certificate was mortgaged by the prior owner with M/s ING Vysya Bank Ltd., who had availed a loan from the said bank. Later, on 12.12.2014, the said loan facility along with the mortgaged property was taken over by M/s IndusInd Bank Ltd. Thereafter, the IndusInd Bank Ltd. assigned the said secured asset to the 3rd respondent, an asset reconstruction company and when the loan account became NPA, the said company took possession of the secured assets under the provisions of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act, for short) and put the property for sale in e-auction in exercise of the powers under Section 13 of the said Act. The writ petitioner participated in the e-auction held on 20.07.2020 and was the successful bidder and was issued with Ext.P3 sale certificate under Rule 9 (6) of the Security Interest (Enforcement) Rules, 2002. The sale certificate shows that there is Sales Tax attachment of Rs.81,29,156/-over the property. Ext.P4 encumbrance certificate also shows this attachment.

3. When the writ petitioner approached the Sub Registrar for registration of the sale certificate after paying the stamp duty as fixed by the 1st respondent by Ext.P6 order, the Sub Registrar refused to register the document and returned the same by Ext. P9 order stating that there is an order of attachment No. E2 109/16,110/16,111/16/ST dated 18.02.2017 (Annexure A1) of the Special Tahsildar (RR), Kanayannur over the property. The writ petitioner filed Ext.P10 appeal before the District Registrar under Section 72 of the Kerala Registration Act, 1908 and the appeal was dismissed by Ext.P14 order stating that in view of the order of attachment for recovery of Sales Tax dues, clarification regarding the first charge is required and the writ petitioner has to obtain necessary orders from the Court. It is challenging the said orders that the writ petitioner has filed the above writ petition to accept Ext.P8 document for registration and to register the same.

4. When the writ petition came up for admission on 08.01.2021, the learned Government Pleader was asked to get instructions and the writ petition was posted after 2 weeks. The matter came up for further consideration on 05.02.2021 and the learned Government Pleader sought further time and the case was ordered to be listed on 01.03.2021. This Court also directed the petitioner to implead the assessing authority concerned. On 01.03.2021, this Court allowed I.A. No. 1 of 2021 for impleading and the Commercial Tax Officer was impleaded as additional 4th respondent in the writ petition. This Court also ordered notice on admission by speed post to the 3rd respondent and the learned Government Pleader who took notice on admission on behalf of other respondents was asked to get instructions and to file Statement. On 30.03.2021, the 3rd respondent entered appearance through counsel and the learned Government Pleader was asked to get instructions from the additional 4th respondent as to 'whether the sales tax liabilities on the property in question is one for the period prior to the date of mortgage, ie., 12.12.2014' and the matter was listed on 13.04.2021. On 13.04.2021, the Government Pleader sought further time for instruction and the matter was posted to 16.04.2021. On 16.04.2021, this Court passed the interim order which is sought to be reviewed in this Review Petition and it reads as follows:-

    “The learned Government Pleader on instructions submits that the sales tax liabilities on the property is subsequent to the date of the mortgage ie, after 12.12.2014. In

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