MARCO LICATA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The scope of the above writ petition and the stand taken by respondents 3 and 4 were captured by this Court in the earlier order passed on 15/7/2025 and it is extracted as hereunder : "This writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned communication dtd. 5/1/2019 issued by the fourth respondent and for a direction to the fourth respondent to make over to the petitioner all the funds that are lying to the credit of late Sri Sushil Mazumdar @ Swami Satyananda at the fourth respondent bank.

(2.) The case of the petitioner is that Sri Sushil Mazumdar @ Swami Satyananda was a spiritual master, who dedicated his life to spiritual teaching and fostering inter-religious dialogue between the East and West. In the year 1976, he found the Sadhana Ashram, which is an international centre for spiritual and cultural research. This Sadhana Ashram was established in Italy. The petitioner, who is an Italian national, was the President of Sadhana Ashram from 3/9/2005 to 3/9/2010 and he continues as a member of the Executive Committee of the Sadhana Ashram.

(3.) The above said Sri Sushil Mazumdar @ Swami Satyananda held large investments with the State Bank of India viz., fourth respondent. Approximately, Rs.4,75,12,600.00 was lying in the bank account. The petitioner was named as a nominee for all these investments with the fourth respondent. The relevant formats as required under the Banking Regulation Act and the rules thereunder was also submitted by the Sri Sushil Mazumdar @ Swami Satyananda in the year 2006 to the fourth respondent bank.