STATE BANK OF INDIA Vs. DUNGAR GARMENTS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner none other than the country's biggest public sector bank, has challenged the order dated 30.4.2019 passed by the Permanent Lok Adalat, Bikaner.

(2.) Petitioner bank had extended cash credit facility of Rs.3 lacs to the respondent Dungar Garments, which had failed to fulfill its commitment. On respondent's failure to pay the dues, the petitioner-bank approached Permanent Lok Adalat, constituted under the provisions of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (hereinafter referred to as the Act of 1987 or the Act) and prayed that an award for sum of Rs.2,96,828/- alongwith applicable interest be issued in its favour.

(3.) The learned Permanent Lok Adalat rejected petitioner's application at the threshold, inter alia, observing that the Act of 1987 does not permit filing of the petition by the bank. According to the Lok Adalat only a person aggrieved of the public utility service can invoke the provisions of the Act of 1987.