L And T Finance Ltd v. Atul Singh Baghel (Borrower) And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION ARBITRATION PETITION NO. 162 OF 2016 L & T Finance Limited .....Petitioner

Versus

Atul Singh Baghel & Anr.

....Respondents Mr. Sandesh Godse a/w Ms.Sharayu Pednekar i/by M/s.Vivek Patil & Associates., for Petitioner.

None for Respondents.

CORAM: S.J.KATHAWALLA, J.

DATE: 6th May, 2016 P . C.

1. This Petition is filed by the Petitioner under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking reliefs as prayed against the Respondents. The Arbitration Petition is served on the Respondents and an affidavit proving service is on record. The Petition is today taken up for final hearing. None appear for the Respondents.

2. By an Agreement dated 31st January 2014, the Petitioner had provided a loan of Rs. 20,50,000/ to the Respondent No.1 for purchase of a Commercial Vehicle being ASHOK LEYLAND 2518 bearing Chassis No. MB1HTDFC9DREJ3714 Engine No. DEHZ417609 more particularly described in Exhibit - F to the Petition ("Said Commercial Vehicle"). By the Loan-cum-Hypothecation Agreement dated 31.01.2014 the said Commercial Vehicle was hypothecated with the petitioner by the Respondent No. 1.

3.

The Loan amount of Rs.20,50,000/- was repayable by the Respondents to the petitioner with interest @ 7.00% per annum in monthly installments commencing from 10.03.2014 and ending on 10.06.2017. Therefore, the aggregate amount payable by the Respondents to the petitioner under the loan agreement was Rs26,24,000/-.

4.

Clause 12 of the agreement provides for the events of default; and Clause 17 provides for arbitration. There has been a default on the part of the Respondents. In view thereof both the Respondents became liable to pay to the Petitioner a sum of Rs.14,74,563/- as on 12.10.2015. The Petitioner therefore invoked arbitration clause in the Agreement dated 31.01.2014.

5.

In the present Petition, the Petitioner has sought appointment of the Court Receiver, High Court Bombay as Receiver of the said Commercial Vehicle more particularly described in Exhibit - F to the Petition. In absence of any defense or contest by the Respondents, the averments contained in the Petition have remained uncontroverted. I see no reason why the statement/submissions made by the Petitioner in

the Petition should not be accepted. Section 9 empowers the Court to pass an interim measure of protection. Since Respondents have defaulted in repayment of the outstanding dues, it is necessary to safeguard the interest of the Petitioner by appointing the Court Receiver as Receiver of the said Commercial Vehicle. The appointment of the Receiver is necessary in order to ensure that the said Commercial Vehicle is not wasted or alienated, thereby defeating the rights of the Petitioner. Hence the following order:

(i) Pending the hearing and final disposal of the arbitration proceedings, the Court Receiver is appointed as Receiver in respect of said Commercial Vehicle being ASHOK LEYLAND 2518 bearing Chassis No. MB1HTDFC9DREJ3714 Engine No. DEHZ417609 more particularly described in Exhibit - F to the Petition, with direction to take possession of the same with police assistance, if required, and without any prior notice to the Respondents;

(ii) The Court Receiver shall within a period of two weeks after taking possession, give an option to the Respondent in writing to act as agents of the Receiver in respect of the said Commercial Vehicle described in Exhibit-F to the Petition. The respondents shall be given two weeks time by the Court Receiver from the date of receipt of the Court Receiver's communication/letter to exercise such option. In the event of the respondent/s being desirous of acting as agents of the Receiver, they shall be appointed as agents of the Receiver, subject to security and royalty. The Receiver shall determine the quantum of security and royalty having regard to the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement for Commercial Vehicle Loan. (Exhibit A to the Petition);

(iii) In the event that the Respondents fail to communicate their willingness to the Receiver to act as agents of the Court Receiver within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of the communication from the Court Receiver, it would be open to the Petitioner to apply to the Court for further orders including sale of the said Commercial Vehicle more particularly described in Exhibit-F to the Petition by private treaty;

(iv) There shall be an interim injunction restraining the Respondents from alienating, encumbering, parting with possession or creating any third party rights in respect of the said Commercial Vehicle being ASHOK LEYLAND 2518 bearing Chassis No.

MB1HTDFC9DREJ3714 Engine No. DEHZ417609 more particularly described in Exhibit F to the Petition.

6.

A copy of this order shall be forthwith served on the Respondents by hand delivery and also by Speed Post A.D.

7. The Arbitration Petition is accordingly, disposed off. (S.J.KATHAWALLA, J.)