Deepak Puri & ANR. v. State Bank Of India & ANR.

$~20 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + WP(C) 5708/2020 & CM APPL. 20643-20644/2020 DEEPAK PURI & ANR.

..... Petitioners Through Ms. Maneesha Dheer, Advocate versus STATE BANK OF INDIA & ANR.

..... Respondents Through Mr. Akshit Kapur, Advocate

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAYANT NATH

O R D E R

% 27.08.2020 The hearing has been conducted through video conferencing. CM APPL. 20644/2020 (Exemption) Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

Application stands disposed of.

WP(C) 5708/2020 & CM APPL. 20643/2020 (Stay) 1.

This writ petition is filed by the petitioner seeking to set aside the communication/notice dated 07.08.2020. A perusal of the impugned notice shows that the same is a notice issued to the petitioners to appear before the Wilful Defaulter Identification Committee on 28.08.2020 through videoconferencing to be arranged from SBI, Tolstoy Marg, Janpath, New Delhi. 2.

Learned counsel for the petitioners at the outset states that she has no objection to the hearing but states that the petitioner No.1 is a 78 years old individual suffering from various serious medical ailments. The petitioner No.1, on account of the presently prevalent Covid-19 pandemic, is advised

to remain in isolation. It is pleaded that on account of the same the petitioner No.1 who has to appear in person as per the said notice dated 07.08.2020 will not be able to go to the office of SBI at Connaught Place, New Delhi to make his submissions. She also submits that as the petitioner No.1 is an old person with serious medical ailments he would need time to make his presentation before the said committee. She also has taken me through the documents to show the medical condition of petitioner No.1. 3.

Keeping in view the said contentions of learned counsel for the petitioners, let the respondent No.1 bank/SBI make provisions for the petitioner to attend the video conferencing from his residence. This direction is being passed in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case. After receipt of the necessary link to enable the petitioner No.1 to connect with the committee and make his submissions, liberty is granted to the petitioner to seek an adjournment on ground of his medical conditions. In case such a request is made by the petitioner No.1, the Committee is requested to consider the same sympathetically and in these circumstances, to take up the matter at a convenient date any time after four weeks.

4.

It is also pleaded that the petitioner No.1 being an old person of 78 years' age may not find it convenient to connect with the concerned committee through video conferencing mode. In these circumstances, it is prayed by learned counsel for the petitioners that the link may also be sent to Mr.

Rajesh Kumar (Mobile No.:9958348491, Email id:

nitapuri@gmail.com), who will assist the petitioner No.1 in connecting with the committee through video conferencing on the date fixed. Needful be done by respondent No.1 bank.

5.

The petitioner No.1 is also free to file his written submissions within four weeks before the Identification Committee. 6.

The above order is passed without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the respective parties.

7.

The petition along with application seeking stay of the impugned notice dated 07.08.2020 is disposed of.

JAYANT NATH, J.

AUGUST 27, 2020 dkb