High Court of KeralaDivision BenchWrit appeal allowed; post-mortgage attachments ...

Ali Asharaf M.M. & Simiya Ali Asharaf v. Sub Registrar, Thrissur; Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thrissur; Village Officer, Chembukkavu, Thrissur; The South Indian Bank Ltd., Thrissur Bazar Branch; Julie Raison; M.D. Raison; Kerala Kshemam Unique Kuries (P) Ltd; Sakthan Kuries and Loans (P) Ltd; Hi-Wealth Kuries (P) Ltd; Trichur Monarch Chit Fund Ltd.; Olari Little Flower Kuries (P) Ltd; Kerala Kshemam Unique Kuries Ward 10

Case / Petition Number:WA.No. 612 of 2015

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Ashok Bhushan, CJ
  • A.M. Shaffique, J.
Judgment Date
2015-07-24
Court Decision / Holding
Writ appeal allowed. The attachments effected by the Munsiff Court after the mortgage date are declared invalid. The Sub Registrar and Village Officer are directed to efface attachments post-08/07/2008 from their records and to effect mutation in favour of the petitioners. The needful shall be done within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. No costs.
Final Disposition
Writ appeal allowed; post-mortgage attachments declared invalid; direction to erase attachments and mutation in petitioners’ favour within two months; no costs.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Ali Asharaf M.M.
  • Simiya Ali Asharaf

Respondents

  • Sub Registrar, Thrissur-680 001
  • Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thrissur-680 001
  • Village Officer, Chembukavu, Thrissur-680 001
  • The South Indian Bank Ltd., Thrissur Bazar Branch, Thrissur - 680 001
  • Mrs. Julie Raison
  • M.D. Raison
  • Kerala Kshemam Unique Kuries (P) Ltd Ward 10, Door No.34, Eastern Bazar Thrissur - 680 001
  • Sakthan Kuries and Loans (P) Ltd
  • Hi-Wealth Kuries (P) Ltd
  • Trichur Monarch Chit Fund Ltd.
  • Olari Little Flower Kuries (P) Ltd
  • Kerala Kshemam Unique Kuries Ward 10

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Adv. Sri Rajit

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Govt Pleader Sri P.I. Davis
  • • Adv. Sri George Varghese
  • • Adv. Sri K.I. Sageer
  • • Adv. Sri R. Sreehari
  • • Adv. Sri Nagaraj Narayanan
  • • Adv. Sri Saijo Hassan
  • • Adv. Sri Benoj C Augustine
  • • Adv. Sri G. Hariharan
  • • Adv. Sri Praveen H.

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ appeal arises from a challenge to a single-judge order directing mutation in favour of the purchaser of 10 cents (4 Are 05 Sq.m.) of Sy.No. 694/5 in Chembukkavu, Thrissur, under the SARFAESI Act, despite encumbrances created by attachments in separate suits. The appellants, Ali Asharaf M.M. and Simiya Ali Asharaf, contended that attachments created after the mortgage on 08/07/2008 are post-mortgage incidents that cannot affect their title or right in the property purchased at auction. They sought (a) quashing of Ext.P5 directing the removal of attachments from records; (b) a declaration that the sale certificate Ext.P4 is free of encumbrances; (c) a declaration that later attachments do not affect title; and (d) a writ to remove encumbrances and effect mutation expeditiously. The government pleader stated that the attachments were after the mortgage date, a fact not disputed. Relying on Madhan v. Sub Registrar (2014) (1 KLT 406), the court held that post-mortgage attachments do not affect the sale or title; such attachments cease to have legal effect once the sale is confirmed and may impair marketability. The Division Bench accordingly declared the post-mortgage attachments invalid and directed removal from records, with mutation to be effected within two months from receipt of the judgment. Writ appeal allowed as above.

Provisions of Law Cited

Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act)

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Attachments subsequent to a mortgage do not affect the title or ownership of the mortgagee or purchaser; sale under the SARFAESI Act is free of encumbrances once the sale is confirmed.
  • The ratio in Madhan v. Sub Registrar (2014) 2014(1) KLT 406 supporting removal of post-mortgage attachments to protect marketability and title.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellants contended that attachments created after the mortgage (08/07/2008) are subsequent incidents that do not impair the title or right in the property purchased under SARFAESI. Relying on Madhan v. Sub Registrar, they urged that the attachments be effaced from records and that the sale be declared free of encumbrances, with mutation effected expeditiously. They sought quashing of Ext.P5 and a mandamus to remove encumbrances.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents acknowledged that the attachments were created post-mortgage); the learned Government Pleader stated this fact was not disputed and supported the position that the petition should be resolved consistently with existing law; no contest to the principle that rights of creditors under SARFAESI should be respected, with mutation directed subject to Civil Court proceedings.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Madhan v. Sub Registrar2014(1) KLT 406PositiveThe court relies on the Madhan decision to hold that attachments after the mortgage do not affect title, and that post-mortgage attachments must be erased to protect marketability.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

# **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** **PRESENT:** **THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.ASHOK BHUSHAN & THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.M.SHAFFIQUE** **FRIDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF JULY 2015/2ND SRAVANA, 1937** ## **WA.No. 612 of 2015 ()** **-------------------------AGAINST THE JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 23435/2014 DATED 13-10-2014** **---------------** ## **APPELLANTS / WRIT PETITIONERS :** **------------------------------------------------------** **1. ALI ASHARAF M.M., AGED 44 YEARS S/O.MUSLIYAM VEETIL M.T. MOHAMMED RESIDING AT HOUSE NO.31/413 KUNNAMKULAM MUNICIPALITY, ALATHOOR DESOM P.O CHITTANJUR, ANJUR VILLAGE, THALAPPILLY TALUK THRISSUR DISTRICT, PIN 680 523.** **2. SIMIYA ALI ASHARAF, AGED 37 YEARS** - **W/O.ALI ASHARAF M.M., RESIDING AT HOUSE NO.31/413 KUNNAMKULAM MUNICIPALITY, ALATHOOR DESOM P.O CHITTANJUR, ANJUR VILLAGE, THALAPPILLY TALUK THRISSUR DISTRICT, PIN 680 523.** **BY ADV. SRI.RAJIT** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS :** **-------------------------------------------------** **1. THE SUB REGISTRAR, THRISSUR-680 001.** **2. THE TAHSILDAR** - **TALUK OFFICE, THRISSUR-680 001.** ## **3. THE VILLAGE OFFICER** - **CHEMBUKKAVU, THRISSUR-680 001.** ## **4. THE SOUTH INDIAN BANK LTD.,** - **THRISSUR BAZAR BRANCH, SIB BUILDING THRISSUR MUNICIPAL OFFICE ROAD THRISSUR - 680 001 REPRESENTED BY THE MANAGER & REGIONAL OFFICE ROUND SOUTH, THRISSUR - 680 001** - **REPRESENTED BY THE AUTHORIZED OFFICER.** **...2/-** **WA.No. 612 of 2015 () -2-** ## **5. MRS. JULIE RAISON** **W/O.M.D.RAISON, MUTTICHUKARAN HOUSE OPPOSITE JUBILEE MISSION MEDICAL COLLEGE MOOSEPET ROAD, EAST FORT, THRISSUR, PIN - 680 005.** **6. M.D.RAISON S/O.LATE M.K.DEVASSY, MANJALI HOUSE, GOSAYIKUNNU KURIACHIRA P.O., THRISSUR - 680 006.** **7. KERALA KSHEMAM UNIQUE KURIES (P) LTD WARD 10, DOOR NO.34, EASTERN BAZAR THRISSUR - 680 001.** **8. SAKTHAN KURIES AND LOANS (P) LTD SAKTHAN TOWERS, X/55/21, PALLIKULAM ROAD P.B NO.219, THRISSUR - 680 001.** **9. HI-WEALTH KURIES (P) LTD THUSHARA 27/10-1, KARUNAKARAN NAMBIAR ROAD ASWANI HOSPITAL JN., THRISSUR - 680 020.** **10. TRICHUR MONARCH CHIT FUND LTD., ADAM BAZAR (RIZE BAZAR), THRISSUR - 680 001.** **11. OLARI LITTLE FLOWER KURIES (P) LTD LITTLE FLOWER CHURCH COMPLEX OPPOSITE TO CHANDRAMATHI AMMA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OLARIKKARA, THRISSUR - 680 012.** **12. KERALA KSHEMAM UNIQUE KURIES WARD 10, DOOR NO.34, EASTERN BAZAR,** **THRISSUR - 680 001.** **R1 TO R3 BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. P.I. DAVIS R4 BY ADV. SRI.GEORGE VARGHESE, SC R5 BY ADV. SRI.K.I.SAGEER** **R7, R8 & R12 BY ADV. SRI.R.SREEHARI R9 BY ADVS. SRI.NAGARAJ NARAYANAN SRI.SAIJO HASSAN SRI.BENOJ C AUGUSTIN R11 BY ADVS. SRI.G.HARIHARAN SRI.PRAVEEN H.** **THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 24-07-2015, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **Mn** ## **ASHOK BHUSHAN, CJ & A.M.SHAFFIQUE, J. * * * * * * * * * * * * *** W.A.No.612 of 2015 ---------------------------------------Dated this the 24[th] day of July 2015 ## **J U D G M E N T** ## **Shaffique, J** This appeal is filed by the writ petitioner challenging the judgment dated 13/10/2014 in W.P.C.No.23435/2014 by which petitioners were directed to approach the Munsiff Court, Thrissur for vacating the order of attachment in respect of the property which the petitioner has purchased under the proceedings under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act,2002 (hereinafter referred to as 'the SARFAESI Act'). Writ petition was filed on account of refusal on the part of the Village Officer to effect mutation of the property purchased by the petitioner in an auction sale conducted under the SARFAESI Act. The reason for not effecting mutation was on account of the attachments that have been effected by the Munsiff Court, Thrissur in separate suits. Petitioners also obtained encumbrance certificate which reflected the attachment orders issued by the Munsiff Court. W.A.No.612/2015 2 2. The main contention urged by the petitioners was that the attachments were subsequent to 08/07/2008, the date of mortgage and hence the attachment will not invalidate the right and title of the petitioners in the property and accordingly the petitioners sought for the following reliefs: _a) Call for the records leading upto Ext.P5 and issue a writ of Certiorari or any other appropriate Writ Order or Direction quashing Ext.P5 issued by the 2[nd] respondent to the extent that the same directs the Petitioner to have all the attachments shown in Ext.P6 to be effaced before effecting mutation in favour of the petitioner._ _b) Declare that the sale of mortgaged property namely 10 cents (4 Are 05 Square Meters) of property along with all rights and other improvements in Sy.No.694/5 of Chembukkavu Village, Thrissur Taluk by the 4[th] respondent in favour of the petitioner as per Ext.P4 Sale Certificate, is free of all encumbrances;_ _c) Declare that attachments effected subsequent to the mortgage created on 08/07/2008 in favour of the 4[th] respondent bank do not affect the title and ownership of the petitioner over the subject property._ _d) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction to respondents 1 to 3 to remove the entries in their registers relating to encumbrances over the subject property subsequent to the_ W.A.No.612/2015 3 _mortgage created on 08/07/2008 and to effect mutation of the property in favour of the petitioners as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of maximum 2 months.”_ 3. The learned Single Judge observed that any right available to any creditor under the law will not be affected by transfer of registry and therefore direction was issued to the Village Officer to effect transfer of registry pursuant to Ext.P4 sale certificate in favour of the petitioners within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. However, it was observed that the said direction is subject to any decision of the competent Civil Court. It is further observed that the petitioners shall move the Munsiff Court for lifting the attachment. 4. Learned counsel for the appellants, impugning the aforesaid judgment, submits that in the light of the judgment of this Court in **Madhan v. Sub Registrar** _[2014(1) KLT 406],_ learned Single Judge ought to have issued a declaration in regard to the right of the petitioners and also should have directed the Sub Registrar and Village Officer to efface the attachments effected subsequent to the mortgage from the relevant records. W.A.No.612/2015 4 5. The learned Government Pleader, on instructions, would submits that all the attachments effected by the Munsiff Court, Thrissur in respect of the above property were after the creation of mortgage on 08/07/2008. This fact is not disputed by the learned counsel appearing for respondents 4 and 9. 6. Under such circumstances, we are of the view that the case put forward by the petitioner squarely falls within the law laid down by the learned Single Judge of this Court in **Madhan** (supra) wherein paragraph 7 of the judgment held as under: _“The preponderance of judicial opinion leads to the irresistible conclusion that the sale of the mortgaged property in favour of the petitioner under Ext.P5 sale certificate under the Act is free of all encumbrances. The attachments effected subsequent to the mortgage created in favour of the bank do not affect the title and ownership of the petitioner over the subject property. Such attachments have no impact on the sale conducted under the Act and the same ceases to have any effect or fall to the ground the moment the sale is confirmed in favour of the petitioner. The declaration so sought by the petitioner is therefore granted and I further direct the Sub Registrar and the Village Officer to efface the attachments effected subsequent to the mortgage from the relevant records. Otherwise those attachments would remain as a permanent taboo prejudicially affecting the marketability_ W.A.No.612/2015 5 _and title to the property even though they ceased to have any legal efficacy. The needful in relation to the property bought by the petitioner shall be done within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The writ petition is allowed. No costs.”_ 7. In the light of the aforesaid factual and legal issues, we are of the view that the appellants are entitled for a similar order. Accordingly, we declare that the attachments effected by the Munsiff Court, Thrissur after the date of mortgage are invalid and there will be a direction to the Sub Registrar and the Village Officer to efface the attachments effected after 08/07/2008 in their registers. Writ appeal is allowed as above. (sd/-) ## **(ASHOK BHUSHAN, CHIEF JUSTICE)** (sd/-) **(A.M.SHAFFIQUE, JUDGE)** jsr W.A.No.612/2015 6 W.A.No.612/2015 7 W.A.No.612/2015 8