Thursday, February 20, 2025

WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE DEFENDANT IN ORIGINAL APPLICATION BEFORE DRT

 

IN THE DEBTS RECOVERY TRIBUNAL SILIGURI

PCM Tower, 2nd Floor, 2 no.Mile, Sevoke Road, Siliguri - 734001.

 

ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO. 15 OF 2024

{ Diary no. 396/2023 }

 

PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK

--- ---- APPLICANT

VERSUS

 

M/S. H. M. ENTERPRISE AND OTHERS

----- ---- RESPONDENTS

 

 

WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE DEFENDANT NO. 2, HASNA BEWA;

 

The humble petition of the above named defendant no. 2, Hasna Bewa, most respectfully;

 

Sheweth as under :

 

1.   That the defendant no.2, Hasna Bewa is in receipt of the Copy of the Original Application with all annexures only on 27th day of January’ 2025, in pursuance of the Order dated 09-01-2025, passed in the above referred Original Application by the Hon’ble Tribunal. The defendant no. 2, Hasna Bewa on her bare perusal of the plaint, founds that the contents and statements of the plaint are false, concocted and based on false summarization.

 

2.   That the plaint is not in the prescribe form as emphasized in Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993. Therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

3.   That the plaint is without any accrued cause of action in presenting the plaint before the Hon’ble Tribunal. Therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

4.   That the present plaint has no lawful claim. Therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

5.   That the present plaint has not been placed even by the competent person. Therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

6.   That the plaint has not been placed ever with the true facts and states of affairs, and the same has not been placed with clean hands by the alleged applicant, therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

7.   That the present plaint is motivated, harassed, and without any competency. Therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

8.   That the present plaint is suffering with the non-joinder & mis-joinder of the necessary parties. Therefore the plaint is liable to be dismissed inlimnie.

 

9.   Save what are matters of record and save what have been specifically dealt by the defendant no. 2, hereinafter each and every allegations made in the said plaint is denied and disputed as if the same has been set out in paragraph seriatim and specifically traversed.

 

10.               That the defendant no. 2, hereinafter deny and dispute each and every allegations made in the said plaint being Original Application, save and except what are the matter of records.

 

11.               Before dealing with each and every paragraph of the said Plaint being Original Application. The defendant no. 2, state and submits the following for proper adjudication of the suit;

 

(i)           That after death of husband of your defendant in 2000, she faced a lot of problems including financial issues. To run her family she decided to start a business in 2011-12; but she had no sufficient money. So, She contacted with the then Branch Manager, namely one Mr. Sunder of United Bank of India, now Punjab National Bank, Nimtatla Chunakhali Branch, Beharampore, Murshidabad, for getting Loan of Rs. 3,00,000/- . The said Mr. Sunder sanctioned to start and run her business. She availed of that Loan and the same was repaid in time.

 

(ii)          That your defendant further decided to enhance her business for which money was required. So She again approached the Branch Manager, who ultimately sanctioned further Loan of Rs. 5,00,000/-. She again repaid the said Loan in time. Therefore from time to time on three occasions She had taken Loan from Bank for doing her business and She repaid the entire Loan Amount with interest in time. In the mean-time new manager one Mr. Mahindra came to the Branch of the said Bank. Then the manager was again changed. One Mr. Koushik took the charge. She approached him for extending a Loan to the tune of Rs. 7,00,000/- to run smoothly the business of “Rana Raja Bastralay”. It was given. By that time the manager was again changed. One Mr. Prakash Shrivastava took the charge.  

 

Photocopy of Certificate of Closure of the Loan Accounts, are collectively annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “A”

 

(iii)        That your defendant expressed her desire to the Branch Manager to start a new business for which a Loan of Rs. 40,00,000/- was required. But at that time, She had existing three Loan accounts. To close down the said accounts, a sum approximately of Rs. 12,00,000/- was necessary. The said manager dissuaded to repay the said sum of Rs. 12,00,000/- from the new Loan of Rs. 40,00,000/- . Your defendant agreed. He asked her to issue three cheques amounting to total 12 Lakhs. Your defendant issued the same and the manager assured her of closing the said three loan accounts. The manger further told your defendant that She would receive a cheque within a four days, and to contact him immediately after receiving the same. Accordingly, your defendant received the cheque by post and immediately contacted him. Subsequently the said Mr. Shrivastava joined RM Office. In-spite of receiving your defendant’s three cheques the Loan Amount was not repaid. In the mean-time your defendant contacted with Mr. Arun Babu, the Assistant Manager and told him the fact. After hearing her trouble he asked the concern Manager Mr. Shrivastava to whom your defendant submitted three cheques, to close down the said accounts immediately. Accordingly your defendant’s said three Loan accounts were closed.

 

(iv)        That in availing the said Loan, Your defendant had to mortgage the Title Deed of one of her Properties. In-spite of repeated request and in-spite of the payment of the Loan Amount the bank authority has not returned the title deed. It is still lying with the Bank. The said Mr. Shrivastava also told your defendant not to disclose the fact that He have not been given the Deed to Mr. Sunder, Arun Babu, and Cashier Khokan Babu.

 

(v)          That the said Mr. Shrivastav in mean time came to residence of your defendant and asked for Rs. 3,00,000/- immediately to treat his ailing father and further assured her of depositing the same in her Loan Account. This is the incident of 2020. Relying his words and considering his immediate need She gave him Rs. 3 Lakhs by Cash. The said Mr. Shrivastav after a few days again came to residence of your defendant and asked for money to save another Customer of the Bank whose account has been declared as NPA. He immediately opened and transferred Rs. 8 Lakhs in your defendant’s Account and then took that money for saving the said customer. He further promised to deposit the previous Rs. 3 Lakhs and present Rs. 8 Lakhs in your defendant’s Loan Account. But he has not kept his promise. The said Mr. Shrivastav again came to your defendant’s house and asked for Rs. 2 Lakhs in lieu of opening a Loan Account having subsidy facility. She paid him Rs. 50,000/- by cash and Rs. 1,50,000/- by cheque. The said Mr. Shrivastav has not given her certificate against her Gold Bond of 12 gm. Gold for which Rs. 60,000/- was given.

 

(vi)        That the said Mr. Shrivastav has neither returned your defendant’s money to the tune of Rs. 15,00,000/- nor has he deposited the same in her loan account. He also has not handed over her Mediclaim Certificate for which She paid him Rs. 16,000/-. Beside key of the hardware shop room of one Mr. Jagadish Mondal has also not been handed over to her. He took the names of surajit, and sekhar of the bank who would solve her problem. The said Arun Babu of the bank in two parts took Rs. 14 Lakhs from your defendant against booking of a flat. Neither any agreement for sale has been prepared nor money, has been returned. Arun babu has also cheated your defendant.

 

(vii)       That surprisingly the Bank authority which has now been merged with Punjab National Bank has published in “Financial Express” as well as Bengali vernacular “Ekdin” on their Edition on 10-11-2021, Possession Notice, in respect of the same property. In one place they have shown total outstanding as Rs. 69,27,691.87/- and in another place the outstanding has been shown as Rs. 18,83,206.87/-;

 

(viii)     That your defendant has been shown as a defaulter but in reality She never have been provided with the alleged Loan Amount. It is a conspiracy of the Bank Officials, for which She has been impleaded as a party to the issue.

 

(ix)        That the bank officials have sanctioned & withdrawn Rs. 4 Lakhs which has been given for survival during the pandemic from account no. 0700306740359. Besides your defendant have no idea about the account number 0700306742490, where Rs. 2.81 lakhs have been shown. Who has sanctioned and who has taken money, your defendant cannot tell.

 

(x)          That your defendant lodge such facts with the concerned Police Authority as well as the Bank Authority seeking thereby investigation into the matter of her complaint and to book the culprit being bank officials. Your defendant is victim who has been defrauded by bank officials.

 

Photocopy of Complaint to Police Authority and Bank Authority are collectively enclosed herewith and marked as Annexure – “B”.

 

(xi)        Pursuant to grant of loan facility vide sanction letter dated 18/11/2017 by the applicant bank to and in favour of your defendant. The applicant took mortgaged of her one of the property. Full description of the said ownership property of the defendant particularly described in a Schedule at the foot hereof and marked as Schedule “A”.

Photocopy of Sanctioned Letter dated 18/11/2017, is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “C”.

 

(xii)      As per the terms and conditions of the loan sanctioned by the Applicant, the Defendant is required to repay the loan in 180 Equated Monthly Installments and the last Installment repayable by the Defendant is due on much later as of Rs.17,260/- (Rupees Seventeen Thousand and Two Hundred Sixty ) only, per month. It is pertinent to states that the Loan Account No. 0700306734640, has been assigned by the respondent.

 

(xiii)     The Borrower being your defendant regularly paid such EMI to the Applicant, and whereas the Borrower paid her EMI up to the month of May’ 2020.  The said EMI directly taken by the Applicant Bank, through ECS from the account of the borrower. Borrower did not default in paying her EMI as assigned by the applicant bank. The Borrower lastly paying her EMI in the month of May’ 2020.

 

Photocopy of Bank Statement showing payment of EMI, in respect of Loan Account no. 0700306734640 and 0700250032294, are annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “D”.

 

(xiv)     Further pursuant to grant of loan facility vide sanction letter dated 01/08/2018, by the applicant bank to and in favour of the defendant. The applicant took mortgaged of her same property, which has already been taken while granting the Loan Account No. 0700306734640 to the defendant. Therefore a single property as described in Schedule “A” has been taken as mortgage by the applicant bank in both the Loan Accounts i.e.  the Loan Account No. 0700306734640 and the Loan Account No. 0700250032294.

 

Photostat copy of Sanctioned Letter dated 01-08-2018, is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “E”.

 

(xv)       That on 24 March 2020, the Government of India under Prime Minister NarendraModi ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, limiting movement of the entire 1.3 billion population of India as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in India. It was ordered after a 14-hour voluntary public curfew on 22 March, followed by enforcement of a series of regulations in the country's COVID-19 affected regions. The lockdown was placed when the number of confirmed positive corona virus cases in India was approximately 500. Observers stated that the lockdown had slowed the growth rate of the pandemic by 6 April to a rate of doubling every six days, and by 18 April, to a rate of doubling every eight days. As the end of the first lockdown period approached, state governments and other advisory committees recommended extending the lockdown. The governments of Odisha and Punjab extended the state lockdowns to 1 May. Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and Telangana followed suit.

 

(xvi)     That on 14 April, Prime minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown until 3 May, with a conditional relaxations after 20 April for the regions where the spread had been contained or was minimal. On 1 May, the Government of India extended the nationwide lockdown further by two weeks until 17 May. The Government divided all the districts into three zones based on the spread of the virus—green, red and orange—with relaxations applied accordingly. On 17 May, the lockdown was further extended till 31 May by the National Disaster Management Authority.

 

(xvii)   That on 30 May, it was announced that lockdown restrictions were to be lifted from then onwards, while the ongoing lockdown would be further extended till 30 June for only the containment zones. Services would be resumed in a phased manner starting from 8 June. It was termed as "Unlock 1.0". Modi later clarified that the lockdown phase in the country was over and that 'unlock' had already begun.

 

(xviii)  That the second phase of unlock, Unlock 2.0, was announced for the period of 1 to 31 July, with more ease in restrictions. Unlock 3.0 was announced for August. Similarly, Unlock 4.0 was announced for September and Unlock 5.0 for the month of October. In the same way, Unlock 6.0 was announced for the month of November, Unlock 7.0 was announced for the month of December, Unlock 8.0 was announced for the month of January, and Unlock 9.0 was announced for the month of February.

 

(xix)     That in the month of April’ 2021, the respondent bank through its Letter dated 09-04-2021, sent Recovery notice stating inter alia your borrower as a defaulter and call upon your applicant for payment of Rs. 18,83,208/- ( Rupees Eighteen Lakhs and Eighty Three Thousand and Two hundred eight ) only, categorize such Loan account as NPA ( Nonperforming account) on 31-03-2021, and thereby threatened to initiate Legal proceeding against your applicant.

 

Photocopy of Recovery recall notice dated 09-04-2021, in respect of Loan Account No. Loan Account no. 0700306734640 and 0700250032294, are annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “F”.

 

(xx)      That the Reserve Bank of India on 27-03-2020, issued Statement of Development and Regulatory Policies where inter alia certain regulatory measures were announced to mitigate the burden of debt servicing brought about by disruptions on account of COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the continuity of financial assertions, which extended time and again, by the RBI.

 

Photostat copy of RBI circular dated 27-03-2020, and the Regulatory Statement, are collectively annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “G”.

 

(xxi)     That the Reserve Bank of India has issued such notification for the moratorium period at first for the three months commencing from the month of March’ 2020, April’ 2020, and May’ 2020, and consequently for another three months i.e. June’ 2020, July’ 2020, and August’ 2020. Thus a total period of Six months has been given as moratorium period were announced to mitigate the burden of debt servicing brought about by disruptions on account of COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the continuity of financial assertions, which extended time and again, by the RBI.

 

(xxii)   The Defendant  astonished while She received a notice on or about 05/11/2021 at the door of her residence wherein it was purportedly contended that one alleged notice dated 14-09-2021 by the Applicant Bank purportedly under sub-Section 2 of Section 13 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act; 2002, calling upon the Applicant to discharge in full a total sum of Rs.18,83,206.87/- ( Rupees Eighteen Lakhs and Eighty Three Thousand and Two hundred six and paise eighty seven ) only, was allegedly served upon the Defendant, and in one another notice the applicant purportedly calling upon the defendant to discharge in full a total sum of Rs. 69,27,691.87/- (Rupees Sixty Nine Lakhs and Twenty Seven Thousand and Six Hundred Ninety One and paise eighty seven) only, was allegedly served upon the defendant by the applicant bank.

 

(xxiii) The said astonishing notice received by the defendant on at her outer door further alleged that since the defendant failed to repay the amount mentioned in the said alleged notice purportedly under Section 13(2) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act; 2002, the Applicant Bank is taking symbolic possession of the property, by pasting a notice being Appendix –IV ( See Rule 8 (1) ) Possession Notice ( for immovable property ), being notice of Symbolic Possession under the provision of Section 13 (4) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, on 05-11-2021.

 

(xxiv)  The Defendant immediately rushed to the Applicant Bank enquiring about the matter but the Bank Officials showed their inability to satisfy the Defendant.

 

(xxv)   The Defendant states that the Applicant on the one hand is making request after request by its various letters addressed to the defendant requesting him to clear the EMI but on the other hand served the said astonishing and purported notice of symbolic possession on 05-11-2021 which is not at all tenable under the law.

 

(xxvi)  Furthermore interestingly no alleged notice under Section 13(2) of SARFAESI Act’ 2002 was ever been served by the Applicant. It is pertinent to states that the defendant is not in receipt of any communication regarding NPA of such Loan Account, neither she is in receipt of any statutory Notice under Section 13 (2) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, and whereas all of a sudden on 05-11-2021, the Authorised Officer of the applicant visited the premises and pasted a Possession Notice ( for immovable property ) under Appendix IV ( See rule 8 (1) ) of the Security Interest ( Enforcement ) Rules’ 2002, at the premises being Mouza : Jan-Mahammadpur, J.L. no. 112, L.R. Khatian No. 2417, L.R. Dag no. 2503, measuring 3.50 decimal along-with construction of Two storied building standing thereon within the limits of Hatinagar Gram Panchayat, Post Office – Ghorsala, Police Station – Raghunathganj, District – Murshidabad, Pin - 742102, West Bengal, in connection with the Loan Account Number 0700306734640, and Loan Account no. 0700250032294, being measures referred to in sub-section (4) of section 13 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, taken by the secured creditor ( Punjab National Bank ) by its authorized officer on 05-11-2021. Consequently the Applicant Bank published in News Paper on 10-11-2021 in Bengali vernacular “Ekdin” and in “Financial Express”.

 

Photostat copy of Possession notice dated 05/11/2021, and Publication dated 10-11-2021 in Bengali vernacular “Ekdin” and in “Financial Express” are collectively annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “H”.

 

(xxvii)                In absence of any communication about NPA of the Loan Account and Statutory Notice under the provisions of Section 13(2) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, the applicant purportedly proceeded under section 13(4) of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, by pasting a Possession Notice dated 05-11-2021 ( for immovable property ) under Appendix IV ( See rule 8 (1) ) of the Security Interest ( Enforcement ) Rules’ 2002, at the premises being Mouza : Jan-Mahammadpur, J.L. no. 112, L.R. Khatian No. 2417, L.R. Dag no. 2503, measuring 3.50 decimal along with construction of Two storied building standing thereon within the limits of Hatinagar Gram Panchayat, Post Office – Ghorsala, Police Station – Raghunathganj, District – Murshidabad, Pin - 742102, West Bengal, in connection with the Loan Account Number 0700306734640, and the Loan Account Number 0700250032294.

 

(xxviii)              If at all the service of the alleged notice under Section 13(2) of SARFAESI Act as falsely claimed by the Applicant is held to be true still the admitted service of various letters, emails, etc., of the Applicant upon the Defendant requesting her to clear and make payment of outstanding EMI amount to waiver of said alleged statutory notice under Section 13(2) of SARFAESI Act’ 2002.

 

(xxix) That the Defendant states that inasmuch as the said account for the loan of the Defendant was or is not within the category of Non-Performing Asset and as such the alleged demand notice of the Applicant, if any, dated 09-04-2021 allegedly served upon the Defendant is bad in law and have no force at all.

 

(xxx)   In-spite of such unenforceable and bad notice allegedly served upon the Defendant and further in-spite of the said loan account of the Defendant being not under the category of Non- Performing Asset, the Applicant in collusion and connivances with its officers and knowing fully, well that the Defendant is under moratorium given by RBI intends to translate the said notice and with such ulterior and bad intention and in furtherance of the said purported notice dated 05-11-2021, served upon the Defendant under the disguise of the enforcement of course of law which is not at all tenable under the law.

 

(xxxi) That due to arbitrary act on the part of the Bank, the Defendant made to suffer and is likely to be seriously prejudiced as a cloud has been casted upon her right, title and interest as owner of the Schedule “A” property and it was necessary that the said notices be quashed. The defendant lodged SARFAESI application being SA no. 26 of 2022, wherein challenging applicant bank notice for recovery of the loan facility bearing Account No. 0700250032294, and Notice under Section 13(4) of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, being Possession notice under rule 8(1) dated 05-11-2021, and another application being SA no. 27 of 2022, wherein challenging applicant bank notice for recovery of the loan facility bearing Account No. 0700306734640, and Notice under Section 13(4) of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act’ 2002, being Possession notice under rule 8(1) dated 05-11-2021, before the Hon’ble DRT Siliguri.

 

(xxxii)                That the said SARFAESI applications has been decided by the Hon’ble DRT Siliguri by way of a common order & Judgment dated 29-07-2024, passed in SA no. 26 of 2022 and SA no. 27 of 2022, wherein it was hold by the Hon’ble DRT Siliguri that “without serving 13(2) notice to the applicant 13(4) notice has been issued and thus both the S.As are hereby allowed and 13(4) possession notice dated 05-11-2021 is hereby set aside with liberty to the secured creditor to initiate SARFAESI measures afresh under the SARFAESI Act and the rules framed there under for recovery of the dues amount”.

 

Photostat Copy of the Order & Judgment 29-07-2024, passed in SA no. 26 of 2022 and SA no. 27 of 2022, by the Hon’ble DRT Siliguri, is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure – “I”.

 

(xxxiii)              That therefore the alleged notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act 2002, given by the applicant bank has been set aside. The two notices under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act 2002, as demand notice dated 02-07-2021, and 14-09-2021, has been set aside by the Hon’ble DRT Siliguri. Therefore the said alleged Demand notices under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act 2002 have no force at all in pursuing any demand on the Defendant, herein.

 

 

 

 

 

12.               Without waiving any of the aforesaid Objections and Facts and fully relying thereupon and without prejudice to the same. Now, the defendant deals with the specific paragraphs of the said Plaint being Original Application, in seriatim as hereunder.

 

13.               The Plaint being Original Application is not maintainable either in facts or in its present form and the said Plaint is speculative, harassing, motivated, concocted and baseless as is barred by the Principles of Law and hence same is liable to be rejected at once, with cost.

 

14.                Save and except the statements made in the said Plaint which are matter of record, the defendant denies each and every allegations contained in the said Plaint being Original Application and calls upon the applicant bank to strict proof of the said allegations, in terms of the facts as well as in terms of the Law.

 

15.               That with references to the statements made in paragraph nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, of the application, this Defendant specifically and categorically denies and disputes the contents and purport of those paragraphs, and put to the applicant bank to the strict proof thereof. The Defendant’s repeat and reiterate the statements made in paragraph no.11, herein above. The Defendant says that M/s. H.M. Enterprise was a creation of the Bank Officials, as the same has not ever been intended by the Defendant as she was not in any iota about the partnership firm and the business in partnership, whatsoever. However, the said M/s. H.M. Enterprise is an unregistered partnership firm, which have no locus to stand for realization of any claim whatsoever in pursuance of the Partnership Act, 1932. The Defendant no. 3 is a son of the defendant no. 2, herein. The provisions under Section 69 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, an unregistered firm cannot sue to enforce a right arising from a contract subsequently the financial institution cannot sue to enforce a right arising from a contract with unregistered partnership firm. The defendant has been shown as a defaulter but in reality She never have been provided with the alleged Loan Amount. It is a conspiracy of the Bank Officials, for which She has been impleaded as a party to the issue. if a demand notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act, 2002 is set aside by the Hon’ble Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT), the bank cannot rely on it as the foundation for filing an Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act). It weakens the foundation of any subsequent claim for recovery under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act). If the DRT sets aside this notice, it usually implies that the bank’s claim of default or the procedure followed was flawed — whether due to non-compliance with legal requirements or other procedural defects. When a bank files an Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the RDB Act for recovery of dues, it must be backed by valid proof of debt/default. If the demand notice under SARFAESI has already been quashed, it calls into question the very basis of the bank's claim, especially if the same debt/default is being relied upon in both proceedings. Your defendant has been shown as a defaulter but in reality she never has been provided with the alleged Loan Amount. It is a conspiracy of the Bank Officials, for which she has been impleaded as a party to the issue. While the borrower never received the loan, the fundamental requirement of a “debt” under both SARFAESI (Section 2(1)(o)) and the RDB Act (Section 2(g)) is not satisfied. The bank officials conspired to falsely show loan disbursal, it amounts to fraud under Section 17 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.  Therefore it challenges the very existence of the debt allegedly shown by the applicant bank. The enigmatic approach of the applicant bank has created fauxpas to trap her illegally. A nationalized bank is not expected to get involved in creating such atmosphere which is equivalent to literally extortion. The Act itself resembles the scheme of vulture accounts more familiar in the western countries. In the instant case a nationalized bank has failed the expectation of the billions. As such the Hon’ble Tribunal should school them accordingly. Nothing has ever been placed to show that any communication regarding NPA and demand has ever been served by the applicant bank on the defendant on any occasion prior to placing the present Original Application before the Hon’ble DRT. The applicant bank is not able to place on record the Actual Debt ever against the defendant. The erroneous application has been lodged by the applicant bank against the defendant. Therefore, in the given facts and circumstances, the applicant bank is not entitled get any relief as prayed for ever before the Hon’ble DRT.

 

16.               That the defendant states and submits that an applicant bank cannot seek a declaration against the borrower in an Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act). The Section 19 of the RDB Act allows a financial institution to file an OA before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) for the recovery of a "debt". Declaratory reliefs (such as declaring a person as a defaulter, determining rights over a property, or any status-related relief) fall under civil jurisdiction, which the DRT does not possess. In Punjab National Bank v. O.C. Krishnan & Ors. (2001), the Supreme Court ruled that the RDB Act aims to expedite recovery, not to grant declaratory or civil reliefs.

 

17.               That the defendant states and submits that a Chief Manager of a bank cannot file an Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act) without proving his authority through a valid competency certificate or authorization. Under Section 19 of the RDB Act, an application for debt recovery can be filed only by a duly authorized person on behalf of the financial institution. The Chief Manager or any officer must demonstrate authorization either through (a)  Power of Attorney (PoA) issued by the bank, (b) Board Resolution specifically authorizing the officer to file the case, and /or (c) delegation of powers under the bank’s internal regulations. Since noting has ever been placed on record or ever stated anywhere in the pleading by the applicant bank, the present Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act) is liable to be dismissed in limnie.  

 

18.               That the relief sought for in the said Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act) are wholly without jurisdiction and the same should be negated by this Hon’ble Tribunal.

 

19.               That the relief claimed by the applicant bank is unlawful and since such claimed has not been based on the lawful manner and calculation of interest and other charges if any. The purported claim cannot be said to placed by the applicant bank in its clean hand.

 

20.               That in the given facts and circumstances the present Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act), is not sustainable under the Law and therefore the defendant herein seeks dismissal of the suit inlimnie.

 

21.               There is no merit in the said Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act).

 

22.               That unless the Hon’ble Tribunal dismissed the above referred Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act), the defendant herein will highly prejudice and suffer with irreparable loss and injury, thereof.

 

23.               That this application being Written Statement is made bonafide and in the interest of administration of Justice.

 

It is therefore, most respectfully prayed as follows:-

 

a.   To accept this Written Statement of the defendant number 2, herein Hasna Bewa, and to dismissed the present Original Application (OA) under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act), being O.A. no. 15 of 2024, in the interest of administration of Justice;

 

b.   Such or other order may kindly also be passed as deemed fit and proper in the fact and circumstances of this case.

 

And for this act of kindness your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray.

 

 

SCHEDULE “A” ABOVE REFERRED TO

 

Description of immovable property;

 

ALL that piece and parcel of the immovable property being at Mouza : Jan-Mahammadpur, J.L. no. 112, L.R. Khatian No. 2417, L.R. Dag no. 2503, measuring 3.50 decimal alongwith construction of Two storied building standing thereon within the limits of Hatinagar Gram Panchayat, Post Office – Ghorsala, Police Station – Raghunathganj, District – Murshidabad, Pin - 742102, West Bengal, bounded by :

 

On the North             : Road

On the South            : House of Rasimuddin Mondal,

On the East               : House of Marjina Bibi,

On the West              : Bapi Sk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFIDAVIT

 

I, Hasna Bewa, Wife of Late Janaruddin Seikh, aged about 53 years, by faith Muslim, by Occupation Business, residing at premises being Village – Ustia, Post Office – Muktinagar, Police Station – Berahampore, District – Murshidabad, Pin – 742102, West Bengal, do here by solemnly affirm and declare as follows:-

 

1.   That I am the Defendant no. 2 in the above Suit and I am well acquainted with the facts of the suit and I am competent to swear this Affidavit.

 

2.   That the statements made above in paragraphs are true to my knowledge as derived from the records.

 

 

That the rest are my humble submissions to the Hon’ble Debt Recovery Tribunal and I sign this Affidavit on the _________February’ 2025.

 

 

 

 

DEPONENT

Identified by me

 

Advocate

 

                                                                  

Prepared in my Chamber,

 

 

Advocate.

Dated : _____February’ 2025.

Place : Kolkata.                                        

 

N O T A R Y

 

 

 

 

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