Abohar MC told to de-seal SBI office

Abohar, March 4

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed the Abohar Municipal Corporation to de-seal the State Bank of India main branch office building that had been sealed on Monday reportedly due to default in payment of long-pending rent dues that the MC had assessed at about Rs 1 crore.

As per the copy of the orders passed by the Bench of Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa, the pleadings by the bank reportedly indicated that an order was passed by the SDM-cum-Collector, Abohar, on December 15, 2020, pursuant to an application moved by the MC, directing eviction of the bank from the premises under the provisions of the Punjab Public Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act, 1973. The petitioner-bank preferred an appeal in January 2021, along with an application seeking stay.

The appellate authority — Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka — has not taken up the appeal as also the application for stay, as he did not hold court. On the other hand, Municipal Corporation, Abohar, has proceeded further and sealed the premises.

Keeping in view the interest of customers, the municipal corporation has been directed to de-seal the premises. — OC