The central legal point established is the obligation under the SARFAESI Act to hand over possession after taking inventories and drawing panjanama, with police protection if necessary.

JUDGMENT :

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to comply with the order passed in REF.No.19478/2014/E3 dated 22.10.2019 passed by the 1st respondent.)

1. This is a very unfortunate case which we are facing with.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that though the outstanding has already crossed rupees five hundred crores, the petitioner bank is unable to recover anything notwithstanding the orders obtained. Earlier an order was obtained in W.P.No.8570 of 2020 on 16.07.2020 in respect of another property and the same has also not been complied with. Even in that case, all the proceedings have concluded and there was no prohibition.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that in the case on hand, there was serious objection through the lawyer supported by the other persons representing the borrower from taking possession. Thus, mere keys were handed over without drawing any panjanama by way of inventories. The vehicles have been parked blocking the ingress and egress. The Official Liquidator has no objection in handing over the possession of the first floor while for the ground floor there is an agreement to continue with the existing tenants. Regarding the other portions, the tenants are not in existence. Therefore, inventories will have to be taken by recording panjanama and thereafter, possession will have to be handed over.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that in so far as the building which is the subject matter of the writ petition in W.P.No.8570 of 2020, the possession has already been handed over in favour of the petitioner. The learned Special Government Pleader further submitted that the tenants are not forthcoming and therefore, lock and seal has been made and keys were handed over to the petitioner.

5. By way of reply, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Official Liquidator who was in occupation of the first floor has already agreed to vacate the premises and has given a letter dated 11.01.2019 itself pursuant to the order of this court. For the other tenants, no order has been obtained from the Debts Recovery Tribunal for their status and continuance. Insofar as the movables, if any, is concerned, the petitioner would put the same in a safer place after the inventories are taken.

6. Considering the submissions made, we are of the view that there appears to be a deliberate obstruction apparently from the group supporting the borrower.

7. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that even today scores of persons are standing outside the premises which is the subject matter in W.P.No.8570 of 2020 obstructing from taking possession of the property. The petitioner is a scheduled bank. Admittedly, it is a lender in whose favour orders have already been obtained. These orders have reached the finality. Under the scheme of the Act, the Tahsildar will have to facilitate the handing over possession after making inventories.

8. We need not travel beyond the order passed under Section 14(1) and (2) of the SARFAESI Act. The order speaks for itself. The said order clearly states that possession will have to be handed over after taking inventories and after drawing panjanama. The police protection was also directed to be given as per the order. Therefore, the Tahsildar is directed to take police protection by taking inventories of the properties which are subject matter of the writ petition and if no inventory was taken in the earlier writ petition, the same also will have to be taken. Thereafter, the possession will have to be handed over to the petitioner. We may also record the fact that for the ground floor in the present property, Federal Bank was agreed to continue by the auction purchaser. Therefore, the said bank need not be disturbed. For the first floor, the Official Liquidator h