Vinod vs Authorised Officer

N. Nagaresh

The petitioner has approached this Court aggrieved by the coercive proceedings for recovery of financial advance made by the Thalappilly Taluk Primary Co-operative Agricultural Development Bank Limited to the petitioner, invoking the provisions of the Kerala State Co-operative Rural Development Banks Act, 1984 and the Kerala Revenue Recovery Act, 1968.

The Bank paid ₹5,00,000/- to the petitioner as NABARD Loan in the year 2014 and NFS Loan in the year 2016. The petitioner states that though the petitioner made remittances promptly during the initial repayment period of the financial advance, he could not pay the repayment instalments promptly later due to stringent financial constraints. The repayment of loan fell into arrears. It happened due to reasons beyond the control of the petitioner.

Though the petitioner requested the Bank to permit the petitioner to repay the overdue amounts in easy monthly instalments, the Bank authorities were not yielding. The authorities, instead, started coercive proceedings, invoking the provisions of the Kerala State Co-operative Rural Development Banks Act, 1984 and the Kerala Revenue Recovery Act, 1968 and issued Ext.P7 notice invoking Section 71 of the Kerala Revenue Recovery Act, 1968.

The petitioner states that he is still in a position to clear the overdue amounts towards the loan, if sufficient time is given to clear the dues in easy monthly instalments. If the respondents are permitted to continue with the coercive proceedings and auction the secured assets provided by the petitioner, he will be put to untold hardship and loss.

Standing Counsel entered appearance on behalf of the Bank and denied all the statements made by the petitioner. On behalf of the respondents, it is submitted that the loan was given to the petitioner in the year 2014 and 2016. The petitioner committed default in repaying the loan.

The Bank repeatedly reminded the petitioner and required him to clear the dues. The petitioner deliberately omitted to do so. In the circumstances, the Bank had no other go than to proceed against the petitioner invoking the provisions of the Kerala State Co-operative Rural Development Banks Act, 1984 and the Kerala Revenue Recovery Act, 1968. The impugned Ext.P7 notice was issued in these circumstances. The petitioner has not advanced any legal reasons to thwart the coercive proceedings initiated by the Bank.

The Standing Counsel, however, submitted that if the petitioner is ready and willing to make a substantial payment soon and remit the balance overdue amount immediately thereafter, a short breathing time can be granted to the petitioner to clear the dues. The Standing Counsel submitted that the outstanding amount due to the Bank from the petitioner is about ₹10,20,000/- and the overdue amount is about ₹8,15,000/-.

I have heard the counsel for the petitioner and the Standing Counsel representing the Bank.

The specific case of the petitioner is that the petitioner has been making the repayment and maintaining the loan account initially. The default in repayment occurred lately due to reasons beyond the control of the petitioner. The petitioner has provided substantial security which will safeguard the interest of the Bank.

In the facts and circumstances of the case, I am inclined to dispose of the writ petition giving a short and reasonable time to the petitioner to clear off the liability.

The writ petition is therefore disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The petitioner shall remit the overdue amount of ₹8,15,000/- in 10 equal and consecutive monthly instalments along with accruing interest and other Bank charges, if any. The first instalment shall be paid on or before 18.12.2023.

(ii) If the petitioner commits default in making payments as directed above, the respondents will be at liberty to continue with coercive proceedings against the petitioner in accordance with law.

(iii) The petitioner shall also pay current EMIs along with the aforesaid payments.

(iv) If the petitioner makes payments as directed above, coercive proceedings, if any, against the petitioner shall stand deferred.