The Allahabad High Court, after reflecting on the long time non-functioning of the Debt Recovery Tribunals due to a lack of permanent member, has called on the Union Finance Ministry to expedite the process of fresh appointments calling it an 'alarming situation'.

The Court was considering a Writ Petition seeking direction to the Respondent not to give effect to the impugned ex-parte order under Section 14 of the Securitization & Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 during the pendency of the Securitization Application before the Debt Recovery Tribunal Prayagraj.

The Division Bench of Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Praveen Kumar Giri observed, "....this Court requests the Ministry of Finance, Government of India to look into the said matter and expedite fresh appointments to the DRT that are vacant at the present moment."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Krishna Kant Dwivedi while the Respondent was represented by C.S.C. Ramesh Kumar Shukla.

The Court pointed out that in umpteen number of Writ Petitions are being filed challenging the orders passed under Section 14 of the Securitization & Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 berfore the High Court as the Debt Recovery Tribunal, Prayagraj is not functioning due to no member being appointed to the said Tribunal.

"We are given to understand that there is no permanent member sitting in Debts Recovery Tribunal, Prayagraj and the jurisdiction of the DRT, Prayagraj with regard to urgent matters is with the DRT, Jabalpur. In fact, we have been informed that from June 24, 2025, the additional charge given to the DRT, Jabalpur has also expired and, therefore, no matters are being heard, even if they are urgent......The above situation is alarming and is resulting in inordinate delay in matters being heard," the Court observed.

The ASGI was directed to appear in the matter on the next date while the court refused to interfere in the matter in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Celir LLP vs. Bafna Motors (Mumbai) Pvt. Ltd., 2023

The Petition was accordingly listed for July 29, 2025.

Cause Title: Yadunandan Pandey vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others

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