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2007 Supreme(Mad) 3025

High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. CHOCKALINGAM
M/s. Sri Murugan Automobiles represented by its Proprietor, Choolaimedu, Chennai
Versus
Indian Bank Rep. By its Chief Manager, Chennai
W.P.No.43835 of 2006 and MP Nos.1 of 2006 and 1 of 2007
Decided On : 18-09-2007

Advocates:
For the Petitioner:M.Manivannan, Advocate. For the Respondent:R.Venkataraman, Advocate.

Once an alternative efficacious remedy is available, there is no question of entertaining a writ petition. Granting liberty to prefer an appeal may be considered as extending the period of limitation.

Headnote:

Certiorarified Mandamus - Loan Default - The court dismissed the writ petition seeking to quash the bank's notice of Intending Sale and the entire proceedings, stating that the petitioner had an alternative efficacious remedy available through an appeal before the D.R.T. The court also declined to grant liberty to the petitioner to prefer an appeal, emphasizing that it would be extending the period of limitation.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner sought to quash the bank's notice of Intending Sale and the entire proceedings, claiming an outstanding amount under a One Time Settlement Scheme. The bank had issued a notice under Sec.13(2) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, and the property was brought for sale.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the petitioner had an alternative efficacious remedy available through an appeal before the D.R.T. and dismissed the writ petition. The court declined to grant liberty to the petitioner to prefer an appeal, stating that it would be extending the period of limitation.

Issues: The issues involved the challenge to the bank's notice of Intending Sale and the petitioner's request for quashing the proceedings, as well as the petitioner's plea for liberty to prefer an appeal within the limited time period.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that once an alternative efficacious remedy is available, there is no question of entertaining a writ petition. The court also emphasized that granting liberty to prefer an appeal would be extending the period of limitation.

Final Decision: The writ petition was dismissed, and the court declined to grant liberty to the petitioner to prefer an appeal. The court observed that the pendency of the writ proceedings before the court should be taken into consideration by the D.R.T. while considering the question of condonation of delay in preferring the appeal.

Judgment :-

Seeking a writ of certiorarified mandamus, the petitioner has brought forth this writ petition to quash the respondent banks notice of Intending Sale dated 20.7.2006, and quash the entire proceedings pursuant to the said notice and further direct the respondent Bank to accept the outstanding amount of Rs.2,20,000/- agreed by them under One Time Settlement Scheme.

2. The affidavit in support of the petition is perused. The Court heard the learned Counsel on either side.

3. Admittedly, the petitioner approached the respondent Bank for doing his business and submitted an application for loan in 1994 under THADCO Scheme. Under the said Scheme, sanction was made for Rs.2.00 lakhs on 21. 1995. Subsequently, subsidy was granted. Following the same, monthly instalment was to be paid. But, there was default. In such circumstances, a suit came to be filed by the Bank in O.S.No.4210/98 on the file of the XVIII Assistant City Civil Court, Madras. A preliminary decree came to be passed, and final decree was also applied for. Following the same, a notice was issued by the Bank under Sec.13 (2) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002. Following the same, the property was brought for sale. Under the circumstances, this writ petition has been brought forth.

4. It is also further contended by the learned Counsel for the petitioner that a suit in O.S.No.4354 of 2006 was filed by the petitioner before the VI Assistant City Civil Court, Madras; that it is a case for permanent injunction restraining the defendant from interfering with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the property, and under the circumstances, it is a fit case where the Court has to interfere and pass orders for the reasons stated therein and for the irregularities committed by the Bank.

5. The learned Counsel for the respondent would submit that in the instant case, pursuant to the preliminary decree passed, a notice was issued under Sec.13(2) of the Act; that following the same, the property was brought for sale; that as per the said notice, the property was actually sold; that it has been purchased by the third party; that the sale proceeds have been given credit to towards the liability of the petitioner; that under the circumstances, if the petitioner is really aggrieved, he has got an appeal remedy under the provisions of the Act; that he can make an appeal before the D.R.T.; that instead, he has brought forth this petition before this Court, and hence, it has got to be dismissed.

6. After careful consideration of the submissions made, this Court is of the considered opinion that once it is brought to the notice of the Court that there is an alternative efficacious remedy available, no question of knocking the doors of the writ Court would arise. Admittedly, a notice was issued by the respondent following the preliminary decree passed by the City Civil Court, under Sec.13 (2) of the Act. The property was also brought for sale. That notice is being challenged in this writ petition. According to the learned Counsel for the respondent, the property, pursuant to the sale notice, was sold in public auction, and it was purchased by the third party, and the sale proceeds have been given credit to. Now, at this juncture, it remains to be stated that the petitioner has challenged the sale notice. It is brought to the notice of the Court that the property has already been sold. Apart from all the above, an appeal provision is available under the said Act, and it has got to be preferred before the D.R.T. Once an appeal remedy is available, an efficacious one, there is no question of entertaining this writ petition by this Court. Hence, it has got to be dismissed.

7. While dismissing the writ petition, the learned Counsel for the petitioner brought to the notice of the Court that the time available for preferring an appeal is only 60 days, and under the circumstances, liberty has got to be given t

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