IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD
B. Vijaysen Reddy, J.
R.V. Homes (India) Pvt. Ltd. - Appellant
Versus
Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. - Respondent
C.R.P. No. 3818 of 2018
Decided On : 06-08-2021
SARFAESI Act - Jurisdiction of Civil Court - [SARFAESI Act] - [Section 34] - The court discussed the provisions of the SARFAESI Act, particularly Section 34, which bars the jurisdiction of the Civil Court to entertain suits or proceedings related to matters determined by the Debts Recovery Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal. The court emphasized that the SARFAESI Act is a special statute created for ensuring speedy recovery of debt amounts by banks and that the remedy for aggrieved parties is provided under Section 17 of the SARFAESI Act. The judgment highlighted the wide import of the expression 'any person' under Section 17, which includes not only the borrower but also the guarantor or any other person affected by actions taken under the SARFAESI Act. The court also emphasized that the Civil Court does not have jurisdiction to entertain suits when the SARFAESI Act proceedings have been initiated, and rejected the petitioner's contention that the suit cannot be rejected at the preliminary stage. The judgment cited relevant case law to support its findings.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit for perpetual injunction to restrain the defendant from interfering with the plaintiff's possession of a residential flat. The defendant had initiated proceedings under the SARFAESI Act to take possession of the property due to an outstanding loan amount. The court found that the suit property was mortgaged by the vendors of the plaintiff, and as per Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act, the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
Finding of the Court:
The Court found that the suit property was mortgaged, and the Civil Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit due to the provisions of the SARFAESI Act. The Court rejected the petitioner's contention that the suit cannot be rejected at the preliminary stage and emphasized that the remedy for aggrieved parties is provided under Section 17 of the SARFAESI Act.
Issues: The main issue was whether the Civil Court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit in light of the provisions of the SARFAESI Act, particularly Section 34.
Ratio Decidendi: The key legal principle established in the judgment is that the SARFAESI Act is a special statute created for ensuring speedy recovery of debt amounts by banks, and the remedy for aggrieved parties is provided under Section 17 of the SARFAESI Act. The judgment emphasized the wide import of the expression 'any person' under Section 17, which includes not only the borrower but also the guarantor or any other person affected by actions taken under the SARFAESI Act.
Final Decision: The civil revision petition was dismissed as being devoid of merits, and the Court emphasized that any observations made in the order should not be construed as an expression of opinion in the event the petitioner approaches the Debts Recovery Tribunal.
ORDER :
(B. Vijaysen Reddy, J.)
1. This revision is filed challenging the order dated 23.11.2017 in IA No. 3798 of 2015 in OS No. 699 of 2015 passed by the Chief Judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad, where under the plaint was returned to be presented, before the appropriate forum.:
2. The facts of the case, in brief, are as under :
(b) That the contents of the defendant's notice dated 30.08.2015 shows that there is an outstanding amount of Rs. 18,89,641/- due from Gagadam Sudhakar and Gagadam Kamala; the defendant has already issued demand notice but there was no compliance of such demand, therefore, the defendant is proposing to take action under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (for short 'SARFAESI Act') for taking possession of the suit schedule property from the said persons; the threat of the defendant is illegal since all the originals of title deeds and link documents pertaining to the suit property are in possession of the plaintiff; there is no registered mortgage deed or deposit of title deed as evident from the encumbrance certificate in respect of the suit property by G. Sudhakar Rao and his wife; the law is settled that unless and until the defendant has secured the loan amount under either the registered Deed of Deposit of Title Deeds or the registered mortgage deed, the defendant cannot interfere with the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the plaintiff under the guise of initiating proceedings under the SARFAESI Act; legal notice dated 06.09.2015 was issued by the plaintiff to the defendant to furnish the documents pertaining to loan transaction cautioning the defendant not to resort further illegalities to interfere with the suit property; there is every possibility of the defendant colluding with G. Sudhakar and G. Kamala and may interrupt and interfere with the possession and enjoyment of the plaintiff.
(c) The application in LA No. 3978 of 2015 was filed by the defendant under Order VII Rule 11 CPC read with Section 151 CPC, inter alia, stating that G. Sudhakar Rao and G. Kamala approached the defendant in the month of March, 2005 seeking financial assistance for construction; they informed the defendant that they are the owners and possessors of the 852 Sq.yards, situated in Premises No. 8-2-203/82/J/-III/391/C, in Plot No. 391-C-III, Road No. 81, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, under a registered document; G. Sudhakar informed that he is carrying on construction of Anishritha Residency Complex and it is on the verge of completion; they are falling short of funds and requested for loan of Rs. 40,00,000/- to complete the project; on being satisfied with the credibility, the defendant sanctioned and disbursed the financial assistance of Rs. 25,00,000/-; the required loan documents were executed by the said persons as applicant and co-applicant on 18.03.2005; the above referred property was offered as security for availing loan, thereby, creating mortgage on the area specified in
The main legal point established in the judgment is that a plaintiff cannot suppress material facts to avoid a statutory bar and maintain a suit. The Court has the authority to consider circumstances....
Application against measures to recover secured debts – Jurisdiction - Jurisdiction of Civil Court is not ousted. However, Civil Courts have to be extremely cautious while granting any interim order ....
The court established that suppression of material facts regarding a mortgage can bar a civil suit under Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act.
The bar under Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act cannot be extended to claims involving collusion and fraud, which are better addressed before the Civil Court.
Civil courts' jurisdiction is barred under Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act in matters that can be determined by Debt Recovery Tribunals.
No civil court can exercise jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which the Debt Recovery Tribunal is empowered to determined.
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