Presiding Officer Of Debts Recovery Tribunals Should Be Vigilant That Matters Are Taken Up Chronologically: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has recently observed that the Presiding Officer of Debts Recovery Tribunals should be vigilant that matters are taken up chronologically.

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu was hearing a plea filed by the State Bank of India complaining of the inordinate delay on the part of the DRT, Coimbatore, and seeking direction for the early disposal of a matter.

Importantly, the Bench noted thus:

"The present petitions are part of the increasing number of matters where banks and financial institutions complain of the inordinate delay on the part of the specialized forum constituted by law to take up bank claims, to dispose of a matter."

Further, the Court opined that the Debts Recovery Tribunals and the Appellate Tribunals under the 1993 Act, now re-named as the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993, and the Act of 2002 have far too many matters than may conveniently be dealt with or disposed of.

Against this backdrop, the DRT, Coimbatore was requested to ensure that O.A.No.123 of 2011 was disposed of as expeditiously as possible and, preferably, within six months of receipt of a copy of this order.

Lastly, disposing of the plea, the Court also observed thus:

"The Presiding Officer of Debts Recovery Tribunals should be vigilant that matters are taken up chronologically. There appears to be a quality in Indian climatic conditions where certain matters tend to disappear from view. Surely the malaise can be adequately addressed by a specialized body, better funded by the Union and obviously instructed by the latest technology."

Case title - The Asst General Manager, State Bank of India v. The Registrar, DRT, Coimbatore, and others

Click here To Download Order

Read Order