Anas Y @ Anas Yoosuf Kunju vs The Authorized Officer on 31 March, 2026

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    Kerala High Court

    Anas Y @ Anas Yoosuf Kunju vs The Authorized Officer on 31 March, 2026

    Author: Anil K. Narendran

    Bench: Anil K. Narendran

    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026               1
                                                                 2026:KER:29110
    
                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
    
                                            PRESENT
    
                   THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN
    
                                                  &
    
                  THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
    
         TUESDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 10TH CHAITHRA, 1948
    
                                      WA NO. 604 OF 2026
    
                AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 05.03.2026 IN WP(C) NO.47710 OF
    
                                  2025 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA
    
    
    APPELLANTS/1ST AND 2ND RESPONDENTS IN W.P.(C):
    
          1        THE AUTHORIZED OFFICER,
                   THE FEDERAL BANK LTD.,
                   LCRD/MAVELIKKARA DIVISION, PADINJARETHALAKKA CHERIAN
                   CHAMBERS, PUTHIYAKAVU, MAVELIKKARA,
                   ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN - 690101
    
          2        THE BRANCH MANAGER,
                   THE FEDERAL BANK LTD., PADAPPANAL BRANCH,
                   SRK COMPLEX, ARINALLOOR, PADAPPANAL,
                   KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN - 690538
    
    
                   BY ADV SHRI.MOHAN JACOB GEORGE
    
    
    RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS/PETITIONER IN THE W.P.(C)/3RD RESPONDENT
    IN W.P.(C):
    
          1        ANAS Y @ ANAS YOOSUF KUNJU,
                   AGED 32 YEARS
                   S/O. YOOSUF KUNJU,
                   MARAVARAYYATH, MULLIKKALA, THEVALAKKARA PO,
                   KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN - 690524
    
          2        ABDUL KHADER,
                   AGED 70 YEARS
                   S/O., ABDUL JALEEL , KODIMELKODI PUTHANVEEDU,
                   TKMCPO, KOTTAMKARA P.O, KOLLAM, PIN - 691504
     W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026        2
                                                        2026:KER:29110
    
    
                   BY ADVS.
                   SMT.I.S.LAILA
                   SHRI.CLINTON LAWRENCE
                   SMT.NOORIYA C. K.
    
    
    
            THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 31.03.2026,
    ALONG WITH WA.805 OF 2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
    FOLLOWING:
     W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026               3
                                                                 2026:KER:29110
    
    
                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
    
                                            PRESENT
    
                   THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN
    
                                                  &
    
                  THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
    
         TUESDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 10TH CHAITHRA, 1948
    
                                      WA NO. 805 OF 2026
    
              AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 19.03.2026 IN WP(C) NO.47710 OF
    
                                  2025 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA
    
    
    APPELLANT/PETITIONER IN WPC NO.47710 OF 2025:
    
                   ANAS Y @ ANAS YOOSUF KUNJU,
                   AGED 32 YEARS
                   S/O. YOOSUF KUNJU, MARAVARAYYATH,
                   MULLIKKALA, THEVALAKKARA PO,
                   KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM DISTRICT,
                   PIN - 690524
    
    
                   BY ADV SMT.I.S.LAILA
    
    
    RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS 1, 2, 3 IN W.P.(C):
    
          1        THE AUTHORIZED OFFICER,
                   THE FEDERAL BANK LTD., LCRD/MAVELIKKARA DIVISION,
                   PADINJARETHALAKKA CHERIAN CHAMBERS,
                   PUTHIYAKAVU, MAVELIKKARA,
                   ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN - 690101
    
          2        THE BRANCH MANAGER,
                   THE FEDERAL BANK LTD.,
                   PADAPPANAL BRANCH, SRK COMPLEX,
                   ARINALLOOR, PADAPPANAL, KOLLAM DISTRICT,
                   PIN - 690538
    
          3        ABDUL KHADER,
                   AGED 70 YEARS
                   S/O., ABDUL JALEEL,
     W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026        4
                                                           2026:KER:29110
    
                   KODIMELKODI PUTHANVEEDU, TKMCPO,
                   KOTTAMKARA P.O, KOLLAM, PIN - 691504
    
                   BY ADV
                   SRI. MOHAN JACOB GEORGE, FEDERAL BANK
    
    
    
            THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 31.03.2026,
    ALONG WITH WA.604 OF 2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
    FOLLOWING:
     W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026            5
                                                                2026:KER:29110
    
    
                                      JUDGMENT
    

    Anil K. Narendran, J.

    W.A.No.604 of 2026 is one filed by respondents 1 and 2 in

    SPONSORED

    W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, invoking the provisions under Section

    5(i) of the Kerala High Court Act, 1958, challenging the interim

    order dated 05.03.2026 of the learned Single Judge in I.A.No.1 of

    2026 in that writ petition. The 1st respondent herein filed the said

    writ petition, invoking the extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court

    under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of

    mandamus commanding respondents 1 and 2 therein (appellants

    in W.A.No.604 of 2026) not to proceed based on Ext.P2 possession

    notice dated 10.07.2023, Ext.P8 order dated 26.11.2025 of the

    Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Kollam in M.C.No.1689 of 2025

    and Ext.P12 notice dated 03.12.2025 issued by the Advocate

    Commissioner appointed in M.C.No.1689 of 2025, against the

    petitioner’s property having an extent of 3.75 Ares comprised in

    Survey No.298/11 in Block No.15 of Thevalakkara Village of

    Karunagappally Taluk and 5.64 Ares in Re.Sy.No.5/2 and 5/3 in

    Block No.167 of Kollam East Village of Kollam Taluk in Kollam

    District, under the provisions of the Securitisation and

    Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 6
    2026:KER:29110

    Interest Act, 2002 (‘SARFAESI’ Act); a writ of certiorari quashing

    Ext.P8 order dated 26.11.2025 of the Chief Judicial Magistrate

    Court, Kollam in M.C.No.1689 of 2025; a writ of mandamus

    commanding respondents 1 and 2 therein to allow the petitioner

    to remit the dues as on date, in fair and equal instalments; a writ

    of mandamus commanding respondents 1 and 2 therein to allow

    the petitioner to settle the entire loan by One Time Settlement, by

    excluding penal interest; and a writ of mandamus commanding

    respondents 1 and 2 therein to reconsider and reduce the penal

    interest and interest rate in respect of the loan transactions

    referred to in paragraph No.2 of the writ petition.

    2. The loan transactions referred to in paragraph No.2 of

    the statement of facts in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025 read thus;

    
        Date             Account No.          Loan Availed      Balance amount to
                                                                be paid
    
    
        16.03.2017       19985500000386       Rs.65,00,000/-  Rs.3,74,88,781.81
                                              (Thereafter,    as on 06.07.2023
                                              the same was
                                              enhanced to
                                              Rs.3,50,00,000)
    
    
        07.08.2020       19987100000014       Rs. 50,00,000/-   Rs.33,56,750/- as
                                                                on 09.06.2023
        28.12.2021       19886900000430       Rs. 6,30,000/-    Rs.5,37,368.41/-
                                                                as on 28.06.2023
        03.03.2017       19986600000201       Rs. 6,90,000/-    Rs.2,47,680.23/-
                                                                as on 03.07.2023
     W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026           7
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        16.03.2017       19986900000091       Rs. 20,00,000/-   Rs.6,81,184.09/-
                                                                as on 16.06.2023
        05.08.2017       19986900000125       Rs. 7,30,000/-    Rs.1,17,199.58/-
                                                                as on 05.07.2023
        05.06.2020       19986900000224       Rs. 19,10,000/-   Rs.9,58,763/-   as
                                                                on 05.07.2023
    
    

    3. On 18.12.2025, when W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025 came

    up for admission, the learned Single Judge passed a detailed order,

    which reads thus;

    “Adv. Mohan Jacob George takes notice for the respondents
    1 and 2. Adv. Mansoor Ali K A appears for the 3rd
    respondent.

    2. On the basis of Ext. P14 agreement dated 20.01.2025,
    the 3rd respondent has agreed to purchase the secured
    asset. Pursuant thereto, a total amount of Rs. 55,00,000/-
    (Rupees Fifty-Five Lakhs only) has already been remitted
    and deposited with the bank, of which Rs.25,00,000/- was
    paid in March 2025, Rs. 15,00,000/- in August 2025, and
    Rs. 15,00,000/- in September 2025.

    3. The learned counsel for the petitioner seeks some
    indulgence from this Court and submits that a further sum
    of Rs. 25,00,000/- will be paid on or before 15.01.2026. It
    is also submitted that the 3rd respondent has agreed to pay
    the balance amount at the earliest. Therefore, it is prayed
    that the coercive proceedings against the petitioner may be
    deferred, failing which irreparable injury and hardship would
    be caused to the petitioner and the 3rd respondent-
    purchaser may back out from the agreement.

    4. The learned counsel for the respondent Bank opposes the
    same and submits that the outstanding amount as on today
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 8
    2026:KER:29110

    (18.12.2025) comes to Rs.5 crores eighty lakhs. It is further
    submitted that the petitioner has paid only Rs.55,00,000/-
    (Rupees Fifty-Five Lakhs only) and, therefore, no indulgence
    can be granted.

    Taking note of the fact that since March 2025, onwards the
    petitioner has remitted an amount of Rs. 55,00,000/-
    (Rupees Fifty-Five Lakhs only) and that the petitioner is
    ready to deposit a further sum of Rs.25,00,000/- (Rupees
    Twenty-Five Lakhs only) on or before 15.01.2026, I am
    inclined to grant the petitioner one more opportunity to save
    the property by directing him to deposit Rs.25,00,000/- on
    or before 15.01.2026. Till such time, all coercive
    proceedings shall stand stayed.”

    4. On 05.03.2026, when the writ petition came up for

    consideration, along with I.A.No.1 of 2026, the learned Single

    Judge passed the following order;

    “As per order dated 18.12.2025, the petitioner was directed
    to remit Rs.25 lakhs. The petitioner remitted only Rs.15
    lakhs on 03.02.2026 and the balance amount of Rs.10 lakhs
    on 03.03.2026. Thus the interim order is complied with.
    Coercive proceedings shall stand stayed for another period
    of two weeks. Post on 09.03.2026 to get instructions as to
    whether the 3rd respondent is ready to pay the balance
    amount in instalments.”

    5. Challenging the order dated 05.03.2026 of the learned

    Single Judge in I.A.No.1 of 2026 in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025,

    respondents 1 and 2 therein have filed W.A.No.604 of 2026.
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 9

    2026:KER:29110

    6. In W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, respondents 1 and 2 have

    filed a counter affidavit dated 10.03.2026, opposing the reliefs

    sought for, raising the question of maintainability.

    7. By the judgment dated 19.03.2026, the learned Single

    Judge dismissed W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, without prejudice to

    the contentions taken by the petitioner and the right of the

    petitioner to avail the statutory remedy. The said judgment reads

    thus;

    “It is aggrieved by the coercive steps taken by respondents
    1 and 2 under the provisions of the Securitisation and
    Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of
    Security Interest Act, 2002
    (hereinafter referred to as the
    SARFAESI Act‘ for short), this writ petition has been
    preferred by the petitioner.

    2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the
    learned counsel for respondents 1 and 2.

    3. The learned counsel for respondents 1 and 2 vehemently
    opposed entertaining this writ petition and granting the
    reliefs to the petitioner since, he has an efficacious
    alternative remedy before the DRT.

    4. I find considerable force in the submissions made by the
    learned counsel for respondents 1 and 2. The Honourable
    Apex Court in a catena of decisions including the decisions
    in Phoenix ARC Pvt. Ltd. v. Vishwa Bharati Vidya
    Mandir and Others
    [2022 KHC OnLine 6040], South
    Indian Bank Ltd. (M/s.)
    v. Naveen Mathew Philip
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 10
    2026:KER:29110

    [2023 KHC OnLine 6435] and PHR Invent Educational
    Society v. UCO Bank
    [2024 KHC OnLine 6208], have
    categorically held that writ petitions against SARFAESI
    proceedings must not be entertained since the aggrieved
    persons have an alternative and efficacious remedy before
    the DRT.

    In such circumstances, this writ petition is dismissed without
    prejudice to the contentions and right of the petitioner to
    avail the statutory remedy.”

    8. The judgment dated 19.03.2026 of the learned Single

    Judge in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025 is under challenge in

    W.A.No.805 of 2026 filed by the petitioner therein.

    9. We heard arguments of the learned counsel for Federal

    Bank Ltd., for the appellants-respondents in W.A.No.604 of 2026

    and the learned counsel for the appellant-petitioner in W.A.No.805

    of 2026.

    10. The issue that requires consideration in these writ

    appeals is as to whether any interference is warranted on the order

    dated 05.03.2026 of the learned Single Judge in I.A.No.1 of 2026

    in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, which is under challenge in

    W.A.No.604 of 2026, and the judgment dated 19.03.2026 of the

    learned Single Judge in that writ petition, which is under challenge

    in W.A.No.805 of 2026.

     W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026        11
                                                          2026:KER:29110
    
    

    11. The learned counsel for the appellant in W.A.No.805 of

    2026, who is for the petitioner in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, would

    contend that, though the appellant-petitioner was prepared to pay

    off the entire dues in monthly instalments, the learned Single

    Judge did not consider the said request and dismissed the writ

    petition by the impugned judgment dated 19.03.2026. Therefore,

    the judgment of the learned Single Judge warrants interference in

    W.A.No.805 of 2026.

    12. The learned counsel for Federal Bank Ltd., for the

    appellants in W.A.No.604 of 2026, who are respondents 1 and 2

    in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, would point out that the total liability

    of the 1st respondent-petitioner as on March 2026 comes to

    Rs.6.47 crores. The petitioner had earlier approached this Court

    seeking interference in the SARFAESI proceedings, by filing

    W.P.(C)No.10280 of 2024, which was dismissed as withdrawn by

    Ext.P7 judgment dated 10.07.2024, with liberty to approach the

    appropriate forum. Thereafter, the petitioner approached the

    Debts Recovery Tribunal, by invoking the provisions under Section

    17 of the SARFAESI Act, by filing S.A.No.924 of 2024. The interim

    relief sought for in that S.A. was declined by the order of the
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 12
    2026:KER:29110

    Tribunal dated 30.12.2024. If the 1st respondent-petitioner is

    aggrieved by the measures taken by the Bank under the provisions

    of the SARFAESI Act, the remedy available to him is to approach

    the Debts Recovery Tribunal, by invoking the provisions under

    Section 17 of the SARFAESI Act. If the petitioner wants to

    challenge the order dated 30.12.2024 of the Debts Recovery

    Tribunal in S.A.No.924 of 2024, whereby the interim relief was

    declined, he has to approach the Debts Recovery Appellate

    Tribunal, by invoking the provisions under Section 18 of the

    SARFAESI Act, after complying with the requirement of statutory

    pre-deposit. At any rate, the 1st respondent-petitioner cannot

    invoke the writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the

    Constitution of India.

    13. In United Bank of India v. Satyawati Tondon

    [(2010) 8 SCC 110], a Two-Judge Bench of the Apex Court

    held that if the 1st respondent guarantor had any tangible

    grievance against the notice issued under Section 13(4) of the

    SARFAESI Act or the action taken under Section 14, then he could

    have availed remedy by filing an application under Section 17(1)

    before the Debts Recovery Tribunal. The expression ‘any person’
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 13
    2026:KER:29110

    used in Section 17(1) is of wide import. It takes within its fold, not

    only the borrower but also the guarantor or any other person who

    may be affected by the action taken under Section 13(4) or

    Section 14. Both, the Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal are

    empowered to pass interim orders under Sections 17 and 18 and

    are required to decide the matters within a fixed time schedule. It

    is thus evident that the remedies available to an aggrieved person

    under the SARFAESI Act are both expeditious and effective.

    14. In Satyawati Tondon [(2010) 8 SCC 110], on the

    facts of the case at hand, the Apex Court noted that the High Court

    overlooked the settled law that the High Court will ordinarily not

    entertain a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution if an

    effective remedy is available to the aggrieved person and that this

    rule applies with greater rigour in matters involving recovery of

    taxes, cess, fees, other types of public money and the dues of

    banks and other financial institutions. While dealing with the

    petitions involving challenge to the action taken for recovery of

    the public dues, etc. the High Court must keep in mind that the

    legislations enacted by Parliament and State Legislatures for

    recovery of such dues are a code unto themselves, inasmuch as,
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 14
    2026:KER:29110

    they not only contain comprehensive procedure for recovery of the

    dues but also envisage constitution of quasi-judicial bodies for

    redressal of the grievance of any aggrieved person. Therefore, in

    all such cases, the High Court must insist that before availing the

    remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution, a person must

    exhaust the remedies available under the relevant statute.

    15. In South Indian Bank Ltd. v. Naveen Mathew

    Philip [(2023) 17 SCC 311], in the context of the challenge

    made against the notices issued under Section 13(4) of the

    SARFAESI Act, the Apex Court reiterated the settled position of

    law on the interference of the High Court invoking Article 226 of

    the Constitution of India in commercial matters, where an

    effective and efficacious alternative forum has been constituted

    through a statute. In the said decision, the Apex Court took

    judicial notice of the fact that certain High Courts continue to

    interfere in such matters, leading to a regular supply of cases

    before the Apex Court. The Apex Court reiterated that a writ of

    certiorari is to be issued over a decision when the court finds that

    the process does not conform to the law or the statute. In other

    words, courts are not expected to substitute themselves with the
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 15
    2026:KER:29110

    decision-making authority while finding fault with the process

    along with the reasons assigned. Such a writ is not expected to be

    issued to remedy all violations. When a Tribunal is constituted, it

    is expected to go into the issues of fact and law, including a

    statutory violation. A question as to whether such a violation

    would be over a mandatory prescription as against a discretionary

    one is primarily within the domain of the Tribunal. The issues

    governing waiver, acquiescence and estoppel are also primarily

    within the domain of the Tribunal. The object and reasons behind

    the SARFAESI Act are very clear as observed in Mardia

    Chemicals Ltd. v. Union of India [(2004) 4 SCC 311]. While

    it facilitates a faster and smoother mode of recovery sans any

    interference from the court, it does provide a fair mechanism in

    the form of the Tribunal being manned by a legally trained mind.

    The Tribunal is clothed with a wide range of powers to set aside

    an illegal order, and thereafter, grant consequential reliefs,

    including repossession and payment of compensation and costs.

    Section 17(1) of the SARFAESI Act gives an expansive meaning to

    the expression ‘any person’, who could approach the Tribunal.

    16. In Naveen Mathew Philip [(2023) 17 SCC 311],
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 16
    2026:KER:29110

    the Apex Court noticed that, in matters under the SARFAESI Act,

    approaching the High Court for the consideration of an offer by

    the borrower is also frowned upon by the Apex Court. A writ of

    mandamus is a prerogative writ. The court cannot exercise the

    said power in the absence of any legal right. More circumspection

    is required in a financial transaction, particularly when one of the

    parties would not come within the purview of Article 12 of the

    Constitution of India. When a statute prescribes a particular mode,

    an attempt to circumvent that mode shall not be encouraged by a

    writ court. A litigant cannot avoid the non-compliance of

    approaching the Tribunal, which requires the prescription of fees,

    and use the constitutional remedy as an alternative. In paragraph

    17 of the decision, the Apex Court reiterated the position of law

    regarding the interference of the High Courts in matters pertaining

    to the SARFAESI Act by quoting its earlier decisions in Federal

    Bank Ltd. v. Sagar Thomas [(2003) 10 SCC 733], United

    Bank of India v. Satyawati Tondon [(2010) 8 SCC 110],

    State Bank of Travancore v. Mathew K.C. [(2018) 3 SCC

    85], Phoenix ARC (P) Ltd. v. Vishwa Bharati Vidya Mandir

    [(2022) 5 SCC 345] and Varimadugu Obi Reddy v. B.
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 17
    2026:KER:29110

    Sreenivasulu [(2023) 2 SCC 168] wherein the said practice has

    been deprecated while requesting the High Courts not to entertain

    such cases. In paragraph 18 of the said decision, the Apex Court

    observed that the powers conferred under Article 226 of the

    Constitution of India are rather wide, but are required to be

    exercised only in extraordinary circumstances in matters

    pertaining to proceedings and adjudicatory scheme qua a statute,

    more so in commercial matters involving a lender and a borrower,

    when the legislature has provided for a specific mechanism for

    appropriate redressal.

    17. In view of the law laid down by the Apex Court in

    Satyawati Tondon [(2010) 8 SCC 110] and reiterated in

    Naveen Mathew Philip [(2023) 17 SCC 311], if the 1st

    respondent-petitioner has any grievance against the proceedings

    initiated by the secured creditor under Section 14 of the SARFAESI

    Act, he could have availed the statutory remedy by filing an

    application under Section 17 of the said Act before the Debts

    Recovery Tribunal.

    18. When the remedy available to an aggrieved person

    under Section 17 of the SARFAESI Act is both expeditious and
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 18
    2026:KER:29110

    effective, as held by the Apex Court in Satyawati Tondon

    [(2010) 8 SCC 110], the borrower, the guarantor or any other

    person who may be affected by the action taken by the secured

    creditor under Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act have to approach

    the Debts Recovery Tribunal availing the statutory remedy

    provided under Section 17 of the said Act, instead of invoking the

    writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution

    of India.

    19. In the instant case, as pointed out by the learned

    counsel for Federal Bank Ltd., the 1st respondent-petitioner had

    earlier approached this Court in W.P.(C)No.10280 of 2024, seeking

    interference in the SARFAESI proceedings, which was dismissed

    as withdrawn by Ext.P7 judgment dated 10.07.2024, with liberty

    to approach the appropriate forum. Thereafter, S.A.No.924 of

    2024 was filed before the Debts Recovery Tribunal, invoking the

    provisions under Section 17 of the SARFAESI Act. The interim

    relief sought for in that S.A. was declined by the order of the

    Tribunal dated 30.12.2024. The 1st respondent-petitioner has not

    chosen to challenge the said order of the Tribunal, before the

    Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal, by invoking the provisions
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 19
    2026:KER:29110

    under Section 18 of the SARFAESI Act, after complying with the

    requirement of statutory pre-deposit. Having failed to do so, the

    1st respondent-petitioner cannot invoke the writ jurisdiction of this

    Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, by filing

    W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025.

    20. In Authorised Officer, State Bank of Travancore v.

    Mathew K.C. [2018 (1) KLT 784], the Apex Court held that no

    writ petition would lie against the proceedings under the SARFAESI

    Act, in view of the statutory remedy available under the said Act.

    21. In Phoenix ARC (P) Ltd. v. Vishwa Bharati Vidya

    Mandir [(2022) 5 SCC 345] the Apex Court was dealing with a

    case in which Phoenix ARC (P) Ltd. (for brevity ‘ARC’), which is a

    private financial institution, proposed to take action under the

    SARFAESI Act to recover the borrowed amount as a secured

    creditor. The Apex Court held that ARC as such cannot be said to

    be performing public functions which are normally expected to be

    performed by State authorities. During the course of a commercial

    transaction and under the contract, the bank/ARC lends money to

    the borrowers and the said activity of the bank/ARC cannot be said

    to be as performing a public function, which is normally expected
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 20
    2026:KER:29110

    to be performed by the State authorities. If proceedings are

    initiated under the SARFAESI Act and/or any proposed action is to

    be taken, and the borrower is aggrieved by any of the actions of

    the private bank/bank/ARC, he has to avail the remedy under the

    SARFESI Act, and no writ petition would lie and/or is maintainable

    and/or entertainable.

    22. In Sobha S. v. Muthoot Finance Limited [2025 (2)

    KHC 229], the Apex Court considered the question of

    maintainability of writ petitions under Article 226 of the

    Constitution of India against a private non-banking financial

    company and also a private company carrying on banking

    business as a Scheduled Bank. In the said case, the Apex Court

    held that a private company carrying on banking business as a

    Scheduled Bank cannot be termed as a company carrying on any

    public function or public duty. Merely because a Statute or a rule

    having the force of a statute requires a company or some other

    body to do a particular thing, it does not possess the attribute of

    a statutory body.

    23. In the instant case, Federal Bank Ltd. is a private

    company carrying on banking business as a Scheduled Bank. In
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 21
    2026:KER:29110

    view of the law laid down by the Apex Court in Phoenix ARC (P)

    Ltd. [(2022) 5 SCC 345] and Sobha S. [2025 (2) KHC 229],

    the 1st respondent-petitioner cannot invoke the writ jurisdiction of

    this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a

    writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 and 2 in W.P.(C)No.

    47710 of 2025 to allow him to remit the dues in fair and equal

    intallments and other reliefs sought for in the writ petition in

    respect of the loan transactions referred to in paragraph 2 of the

    statement of facts.

    24. Viewed in the light of the law laid down in the decisions

    referred to supra, we find no reason to sustain the impugned

    interim order dated 05.03.2026 of the learned Single Judge in

    W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025, and we also find no reason to interfere

    with the final judgment dated 19.03.2026 of the learned Single

    Judge, whereby that writ petition was dismissed without prejudice

    to the right of the writ petitioner to avail the statutory remedy

    provided under the SARFAESI Act.

    In the result, W.A.No.604 of 2026 filed by respondents 1 and

    2 in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025 is allowed by setting aside the

    interim order dated 05.03.2026 passed by the learned Single
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 22
    2026:KER:29110

    Judge in that writ petition; and W.A.No.805 of 2026 filed by the

    petitioner in W.P.(C)No.47710 of 2025 is dismissed, declining

    interference on the final judgment dated 19.03.2026 of the

    learned Single Judge in that writ petition.

    Sd/-

    ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE

    Sd/-

    MURALEE KRISHNA S., JUDGE
    MSA
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 23
    2026:KER:29110

    APPENDIX OF WA NO. 604 OF 2026

    PETITIONER ANNEXURES

    Annexure A1 COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 09.07.2024 IN
    R.P.NO.486/2024
    Annexure A2 COPY OF ADVOCATE COMMISSION’S REPORT DATED
    05.03.2026
    Annexure A3 COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 18.12.2025 IN W.P.(C)
    NO.47710/2025
    Annexure A4 COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 05.03.2026 IN IA
    NO.1/2026 IN W.P.(C) NO.47710/2025
    Annexure A5 COPY OF THE INVENTORY PREPARED BY THE
    ADVOCATE COMMISSIONER – APARNA A R ON
    05.03.2026 IN M.C.1689/2025 OF CJM COURT,
    KOLLAM
    W.A.Nos.604 and 805 of 2026 24
    2026:KER:29110

    APPENDIX OF WA NO. 805 OF 2026

    PETITIONER ANNEXURES

    Annexure A1 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 18-12-2025 IN
    WP© NO.47710 OF 2025
    Annexure A2 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ADVOCATE COMMISSION
    NOTICE DATED 27-02-2026 ISSUED AS PER M.C
    NO.1689 OF2025 OF CJM KOLLAM
    Annexure A3 TRUE COPY OF THE I A NO. 1 OF 2026 IN WP©
    47710 OF 2025
    Annexure A4 THE TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
    DATED FOR A PERIOD OF 02-02-2026 TO 04-03-
    2026 ISSUED ON 04-03-2026 BY THE RESPONDENT
    BANK
    Annexure A5 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED
    05/03/2026 IN WP© 47710 OF 2025
    Annexure A6 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PARTS OF THE WRIT
    APPEAL NO.604 OF 2026 EXCEPT ANNEXURES



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