Tribunal raps bank staff for Park Plaza action

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 30

The Debts Recovery Tribunal-I (DRT), Chandigarh, has rapped banks officials for their action of taking over Hotel Park Plaza in Sector 17.

While dismissing an interim application filed by the hotel management for preponing the matter, the DRT raised questions over the “harsh step” of invading the property of the applicant and observed that “greedy officers were responsible for creating such an atmosphere, which could have been avoided”. The main application will come up for hearing on September 7.

Senior advocate Anand Chhibber, counsel for the hotel, said they had received the order and would decide the next course of action after going through the judgment.

In its order, the DRT observed, “This nation is trying to build an image of hospitality and is spreading the message at the international level through the slogan, “Atithi devo bhava”. What type of an image will such an action create in the minds of people regarding hospitality? The authorised officer, under the garb of taking physical possession, created an unpleasant atmosphere in the presence of the media.”

“There seems to be no morality. The authorised officer and officials of the Police Department, with the help of a third party, whom the applicant has termed “political bosses” of a particular party, invaded the premises, and without showing any respect to the women staff, took possession of the administrative blocks and personal rooms, decoding the security system and putting at risk the right to privacy,” the DRT Bench observed.

“The bank officers may have got a pat from their seniors for their act, but their hasty action is shameful for which the bank should take action against them as they have no right to touch the secured assets, which ultimately remain a part of the inventory,” the Bench observed.

Last week, officials of Punjab National Bank, the United Bank of India and Asset Reconstruction Co Ltd (Arcil), a bad loan restructuring firm, had sealed Hotel Park Plaza in Sector 17 with the help of the local police and the Administration over alleged non-payment of loans of Rs 130 crore (including interest). High drama was witnessed during the sealing exercise.

Bench observation

While passing the order, the Bench observed that the authorised officer had failed to explain how persons associated with political parties and outsiders were present during the sealing exercise and vandalised the premises.

Banks refute vandalism charge

The counsel for the banks submitted that bank officers did not indulge in any vandalism. Those who did so were either police personnel or persons associated with political parties, who forcibly entered the premises and rooms.