A.Anny Leema v. The General Manager
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 21-11-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI A.Anny Leema D/o Arockiyaraj, 10B, Kondithouzhu North Street, Kamarajar Salai, Madurai 625 009 Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The General Manager Axis Bank Limtied, Axis Bank Loan Centre, 2nd Floor, Centennial Square, Hotel Brown Star, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road, KG NTR Heritage, Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024 2.Mr.Amitab Chaudry, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Axis Bank Limited, Axis House, C-2, Wadia International Centre Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli Mumbai Maharashtra 400 025 3.P. Devarajan
Nodal Officer, Axis Bank Limited Chennai Circle, 2 nd Floor, No.3 Club House Road, Chennai 600 002 4.The Regional Manger, Axis Bank Limited, Chennai Main Branch, No 82, Dr. Radhakrishann Salai, Chennai 600 004 5.The Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank Of India, No 16, Fort Glacis, Rajaji Salai Chennai 600 001 6.S.Sekar S/o Seenikalai, One Roof E-service Centre, No.5, Mudichur Road, Near Krishna Nagar (Bus Stop), Krishna Nagar, West Tambaram Chennai 600 045 Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1 st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation on 09.02.2024 demanding for one time settlement of the petitioner's home loan in home loan No. 423870 on the basis of petitioner's representation on 09.02.2024 within stipulated time frame fixed by this Hon'ble Court.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.S.Raja Mohamed
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed, seeking Writ of Mandamus, to direct the st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 09.02.2024, demanding for one time settlement of the petitioner's home loan in home loan No. 423870 on the basis of petitioner's representation.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner, a resident of Kamarajar Salai, Madurai, married the 6 th respondent in the Roman Catholic Church at Peerkankaranai, Chennai. The petitioner and the 6 th respondent have jointly purchased a house at Door No.28, Plot No.11, Perunkalathur Village, Tambaram Taluk, Kanchipuram District, in the name of the 6 th respondent through Document No.2855 of 2012 dated 04.04.2012 on the file of SRO, Padappai and availed a home loan of Rs.30,00,000/- from CITI Bank. Subsequently, CITI Bank merged with the respondent Bank. The
petitioner intended to settle the entire loan amount by way of a one-time settlement, but the same was not considered by the Bank. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner initially filed W.P. (MD) SR No.19795 of 2024 before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, wherein, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court vide its order dated 08.08.2024, directed the petitioner to approach this Court for appropriate remedy. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.
3. This Court is of the opinion that the writ petition itself is not maintainable, since the respondent Bank is a private bank, and in view of the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Federal Bank Limited v. Sagar Thomas and Others, (2003) 10 SCC 733, a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution is not maintainable against a private bank in matters relating to contractual obligations or loan transactions. Hence, the petitioner cannot seek a writ as against the respondent Bank and must work out her remedy either before the competent Civil Court or before the respondent Bank in the manner known to law.
4. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to entertain the writ petition and finds it appropriate to grant liberty to the petitioner to work out her remedy in the manner known to law.
5. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed as not maintainable. Liberty is granted to the petitioner to work out her remedy either before the competent Civil Court or before the respondent Bank in the manner known to law. However, there shall be no order as to costs. 21-11-2025 kak Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes To
1. The General Manager
Axis Bank Limtied, Axis Bank Loan Centre, 2nd Floor, Centennial Square, Hotel Brown Star, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road, KG NTR Heritage, Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024 2.Mr.Amitab Chaudry, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Axis Bank Limited, Axis House, C-2, Wadia International Centre Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli Mumbai Maharashtra 400 025 3.P. Devarajan Nodal Officer, Axis Bank Limited Chennai Circle, 2 nd Floor, No.3 Club House Road, Chennai 600 002 4.The Regional Manger, Axis Bank Limited, Chennai Main Branch, No 82, Dr. Radhakrishann Salai, Chennai 600 004 5.The Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank Of India, No 16, Fort Glacis, Rajaji Salai Chennai 600 001 6.S.Sekar S/o Seenikalai, One Roof E-service Centre, No.5, Mudichur Road, Near Krishna Nagar (Bus Stop),
Krishna Nagar, West Tambaram Chennai 600 045
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
kak 21-11-2025