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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 25538

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, CJ, N.Sathish Kumar, J
Jeyakumar – Appellant
Versus
The Authorized Officer Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd. – Respondent
W.P.(MD) No.8245 of 2026|W.M.P.(MD) Nos.6742 & 6743 of 2026



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.J.Sivaram
For the Respondents: Mr.N.Dilip Kumar

SARFAESI Act Section 14 order is ministerial; remedy lies before Debts Recovery Tribunal.

Headnote:The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act), particularly Sections 13 and 14, enables secured creditors to enforce security interests upon default. Borrower availed loan that became NPA; bank initiated proceedings under Section 13, obtaining Magistrate's order under Section 14 for possession of secured asset. Court found petitioner's challenge to Magistrate's order untenable as it is ministerial. Issue framed: validity of Magistrate's order under Section 14 SARFAESI Act post borrower's death. Ratio: Section 14 order is purely ministerial to aid possession; alternative remedy available via appeal to Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT). Writ petition dismissed, liberty granted to approach DRT; no costs.

Table of Content
1. challenge to magistrate's sarfaesi possession order. (Para 1 , 2)
2. section 14 order ministerial; appeal to drt. (Para 3)
3. writ dismissed with drt liberty. (Para 4)

For Petitioner : Mr.J.Sivaram For Respondents : Mr.N.Dilip Kumar Standing Counsel for R1 O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by MR.N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.]

This writ petition has been filed challenging the order dated

17.02.2026, passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoothukudi, in Crl.M.P.No.77 of 2026, under Section 14 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (in short, “SARFAESI Act)”, directing to take physical possession of the secured asset.

2. According to the petitioner, his mother is the borrower and now, she is no more. In such circumstances, the impugned order has been passed.

3. We are of the view that since the loan availed by the borrower became Non Performed Asset (NPA), the respondent – Bank initiated proceedings under Section 13 of the SARFAESI Act and the impugned order has been passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate under Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act. The impugned order passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate exercising power under Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act is purely ministerial to assist the secured creditor to take possession of the secured asset. As against the order passed under Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act, the petitioner is having appeal remedy before the Debts Recovery Tribunal. Therefore, it is for the petitioner to work out his remedy before the Debts Recovery Tribunal.

4. In view of the above, this writ petition is dismissed granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the Debts Recovery Tribunal and work out his remedy in accordance with law. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

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