Home Case Index All Cases Indian Laws Indian Laws + SC Indian Laws - 2022 (11) TMI SC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2022 (11) TMI 856 - SC - Indian LawsMaintainability of suit - auction of property - fraud established or not - suit was barred in view of Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act - disclosure of all facts - actual area of the secured property put to auction is less than 54 cents - property was put to auction “as is where is” and “as is what is” basis - HELD THAT:- It is required to be noted that after the Bank received the possession of the secured property in exercise of powers under the SARFAESI Act, the property in question admeasuring 54 cents was put to auction, by Auction Notice dated 23.01.2007. The plaintiff on the basis of the representation made and the auction notice in which the land was put to auction was stated to be 54 cents submitted her offer of Rs.32,05,000/for sale of 54 cents. At this stage, it is required to be noted that in the quotation itself the plaintiff specifically stated that the offer of Rs.32,05,000/is subject to the condition that the absolute ownership and vacant possession of full extent of property without encumbrances is handed over - The sale consideration received by the Bank was for 54 cents. That thereafter the sale certificate was registered in the month of October, 2010. Thereafter the plaintiff filed the suit for recovery of damages with respect to 14.40 cents. The final certificate was registered on 01.10.2010 and thereafter when the suit was filed in the year 2012 it cannot be said that the suit was barred by limitation. At this stage, it is required to be noted that as such no issue was framed by the learned Trial Court on whether the suit is barred by limitation or not. Suit was barred by Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act or not - HELD THAT:- It is required to be noted that the suit was for damages/compensation, with respect to the balance land, which could not have been decided by the DRT or Appellate Tribunal, Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act shall be applicable only in a case where the Debt Recovery Tribunal and/or Appellate Tribunal is empowered to decide the matter under the SARFAESI Act. The plaintiff was not challenging the sale/sale certificate. The plaintiff claimed the damages/compensation with respect to the less area. Therefore, the High Court has seriously erred in holding that the suit was barred by Section 34 of the SARFAESI Act. Property was put to auction on “as is where is” and “as is what is” basis - HELD THAT:- Considering the fact that the auction notice was for 54 cents; the plaintiff submitted the offer of Rs.32,05,000/for 54 cents; the plaintiff paid the actual amount of sale consideration i.e. Rs.32,05,000/for 54 cents; the sale certificate was issued for 54 cents and even the sale certificate which was registered in the year 2012 was for 54 cents, thereafter it was not open for the Bank to contend that though the Bank had handed over the possession of 34.60 cents still the sale consideration recovered would be for 54 cents. It was not open for the financial institution like the Bank to take such a plea. Even otherwise it is required to be noted that at least in the month of November, 2007 when the Tehsildar submitted the report, the Bank was aware that the actual area is 34.60 cents and not 54 cents. Thereafter the Bank ought not to have issued the sale certificate for 54 cents. The Bank ought to have been fair and ought to have issued the sale certificate only for 34.60 cents. This shows the conduct on the part of the bank. The High Court has committed an error in allowing the appeal and quashing and setting aside the judgment and decree passed by the learned Trial Court. Consequently, the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court is hereby quashed and set aside. The judgment and decree passed by the learned Trial Court decreeing the suit is hereby restored - appeal allowed.
|