(1.) By this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner- Bank has challenged the show cause notices dtd. 19/7/2018 and 17/8/2018 issued by the respondent No.1-Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner & Recovery Officer of Regional Office, Employees Provident Fund Organization for the recovery of Rs.18,66,697.00 and further prayed for refund of the said amount deposited by the petitioner without prejudice with interest.
(2.) The brief facts of the case are as under:
(3.) Learned Senior Advocate Mr.Gautam Joshi for the petitioner-Bank submitted that as per the provisions of Sec. 26E of the SARFAESI Act as amended with effect from 1/9/2006, the petitioner-Bank is entitled to receive the debts due in priority over all other debts and all revenues, taxes, cesses and all other rates payable to the Central Government or State Government or local authority.