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2023 DIGILAW 142 (UTT)

Hotel Golden Tulip, A Unit Of Surgio And Medico Centre v. Punjab National Bank

2023-01-23

RAVINDRA MAITHANI

body2023
JUDGMENT Ravindra Maithani, J. - By means of instant petition, the petitioner seeks the following relief:- '(i) Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus, commanding/ directing the Ld. Debts Recover Tribunal of Uttarakhand at Dehradun to pass an appropriate order in accordance with law on the application of the petitioner filed under Section 340 Cr.P.C. (Annexure No.4 to this writ petition) within the stipulated period fixed by this Hon'ble Court.' 2. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. Learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for respondent no. 1 appeared through video conferencing. 3. It appears that the respondent-Bank filed a suit for recovery of money against the petitioner before the Debts Recovery Tribunal, Dehradun ('the DRT'). The petitioner had already filed a Caveat, which was in order. The petitioner also filed a preliminary objections with a request to dismiss the Original Application ('the OA'), filed by the respondent-Bank. By the order dated 05.01.2023, the DRT observed that the objections are not properly stamped. The DRT fixed 08.02.2023 for further proceedings, while giving opportunity to the petitioner and others to file objections. The order dated 05.01.2023 is as follows:- 'Called out, Ld. Counsel for the Applicant and Caveator present. The Caveator has not filed caveat petition in proper form. The Defendant No. 1 has filed preliminary objection vide Diary no. 66 dated 05.01.2023 and prayer has been made to dismiss the above captioned O.A. No. 607 of 2022 and for any other relief may deem fit but no any court fees has been paid for relief. Every person is liable to pay court fee, if he has come before the Tribunal or Court for any relief or prayer. The Defendant- Applicant is directed to pay proper fee, if he wants to press objection as per prayer. Ld. Counsel for Defendant No. 1 has stated that he shall file vakalatnama within a week on behalf of Defendant No. 2 & 3 also. As per Ld. Counsel for the Defendant No. 1, no need to send summons to the Defendants No. 2 & 3. The Defendants shall file written statement within in a period of 15 days, after receiving written statement Applicant Bank may file replication, if any, within a period of 15 days. As per Ld. Counsel for the Defendant No. 1, no need to send summons to the Defendants No. 2 & 3. The Defendants shall file written statement within in a period of 15 days, after receiving written statement Applicant Bank may file replication, if any, within a period of 15 days. The Defendants are restrained from transferring, alienating, selling or otherwise dealing with or disposing of any personal movable and immovable properties belonging to them in any manner whatsoever till furnishing security/disposal of this case without the prior permission of this Tribunal. Put up on 08.02.2023 for further proceedings.' 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner had filed an application under Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ('the Code') because along with OA, some documents were filed, which were not pertaining to the petitioner. 5. It is argued that instead of deciding that application under Section 340 of the Code, it was observed that it was not sufficient stamped and the court proceeded further while granting interim relief. 6. During the course of hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner would file objections within three days from today and participates in the proceedings before the DRT. 7. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for respondent no.1-Bank would submit that the petitioner has not come up with clean hands. He has concealed many things because he filed earlier a writ petition, in which the order was passed to decide the representation that may be submitted by the petitioner. The representation was so decided. The petitioner thereafter, again filed another writ petition, which was dismissed and a Special Appeal against it, filed by the petitioner has also stood dismissed. 8. It is argued that all these facts have not been mentioned by the petitioner in the instant petition. Learned counsel for the respondent no.1-Bank would also submit that, in fact, the petitioner wants to influence the DRT proceedings. He wants to delay the proceedings. 9. A Caveat, which was filed by the petitioner before the DRT was in order. There was a report of the office of DRT. It is on record. In its order dated 05.01.2023, the Court did not pass any order, on any application filed by the petitioner. What the DRT observed was that the petitioner may file proper fee, if he wants to press objections. There was a report of the office of DRT. It is on record. In its order dated 05.01.2023, the Court did not pass any order, on any application filed by the petitioner. What the DRT observed was that the petitioner may file proper fee, if he wants to press objections. The petitioner could have filed proper fee. 10. This Court does not see anything in the order dated 05.01.2023 of the DRT, which may warrant any interference. The DRT has given time to the petitioner and others to file their objections. As stated, the DRT has observed 'the Defendant-Applicant is directed to pay proper fee, if he wants to press objection as per prayer.' 11. Moreover, the proceedings under Section 340 of the Code may be initiated, if any court is of the opinion that it is expedient in the interest of justice 'this expediency in the interest of justice is to be determined by the Court before which the issue is raised.' The Court may not be directed to proceed under Section 340 of the Code in the circumstances like the instant one. The DRT has given time to file objections to the petitioner and others. 12. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the time has already been expired. 13. Petitioner is free to move an application before the DRT seeking extension of the time. This Court has no doubt that if an extension application is filed, it would find disposal in accordance with law. 14. With these observations, the writ petition deserves to be dismissed. 15. The writ petition is dismissed. 16. All the pending applications, if any, stand disposed of.