P. Sathasivam, J.

1. First defendant in O.S.No.391 of 84 on the file of the First Additional Subordinate Judge, Madurai, aggrieved by the grant of interest at 18 per cent for the suit claim from the date of the suit till date of payment, has filed the above appeal.

2. Necessary facts for the disposal of the appeal alone are briefly stated hereunder:- The plaintiff/respondent herein filed the said suit for passing preliminary mortgage decree for sale of the hypotheca directing the defendants to pay the plaintiff a sum of Rs.8,91,678.09 with subsequent interest thereon at 20 percent per annum from date of plaint till payment.

The plaintiff is a Bank incorporated under Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings Act V of 1970) with its Head Office at Mandvi, Baroda, Gujarat State and a branch at East Avanimoola Street, Madurai. First defendant applied to the plaintiff’s branch at East Avanimoola street for the purpose of construction of a new hotel building, purchase of furniture etc. The plaintiff sanctioned the same on condition of execution of necessary instruments and on his creating equitable mortgage of items 1 and 2 described in plaint A Schedule. T