Delhi High Court High Court

Citibank N.A. vs Mr. Dinesh Aneja on 13 September, 1999

Delhi High Court
Citibank N.A. vs Mr. Dinesh Aneja on 13 September, 1999
Equivalent citations: 2000 IIAD Delhi 242
Author: M Mudgal
Bench: M Mudgal


ORDER

Mukul Mudgal, J.

1. This is a suit under Order xxxvII CPC on behalf of the plaintiff,
praying for recovery of a sum of Rs. 5,75,166.66/-.

2. The plaintiff is a body corporate, constituted under the laws prevail-
ing in USA and having its Registered office in New Delhi.

3. The Plaintiff has entered into a Loan Agreement dated 28.8.1996 with
the defendant who is running a manufacturing unit under the name M/s. Sheel
Auto Industries 73-B, Sector-31, HSIDC, Faridabad & sanctioned a loan of
Rs. 4,00,000/- to the defendant. The loan of Rs. 4,00,000/- was disbursed
to the defendant on 11.9.1996.

4. By virtue of the Agreement dated 28.8.96, the defendant agreed to
undertake to repay the loan in 48 equated monthly installments of Rs.
12,821/- each.

5. It is averred in the plaint on behalf of the plaintiff that pursuant
to receipt of the loan, the defendant failed to adhere to the financial
discipline of repayment of loan amount alongwith interest despite the
plaintiff’s giving several reminders and making persistent requests.

6. It is further averred in the plaint on behalf of the plaintiff that
the defendant was bound to repay the loan alongwith interest in terms of
Clause 10 of the Loan Agreement. The relevant portion of the said Clause
reads as follows :

“If one or more of the events specified in this clause (hereinaf-
ter called “events of default”) shall have happened. Citibank may
be a written notice to the Borrower declare that the principal of
and all accrued interest on the Citibank loan have become payable
forthwith by the Borrower to Citibank under or in terms of this
Agreement and/or any other agreement/s, document/s subsisting
between the Borrower and Citibank shall become due and payable
forthwith, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement or in any other agreement/s or instrument.”

7. In view of the defendant’s failure to perform his obligation in terms
of the said Loan Agreement, the plaintiff-Bank had sent a registered legal
notice dated 4.8.1998 (at page 18 of the list of the documents/part-III)
through its advocates M/s. Suri & Company Law Firm asking him to pay the
outstanding amount of Rs. 5,58,166.66 within seven days from the date of
receipt of the said notice. However, despite service of said notice, the
defendant has failed to repay the due amount and the interest thereon.

8. Thereafter the plaintiff has field the present suit on 14.9.1998 under
Order xxxvII CPC praying for passing a decree of Rs. 5,75,166.66/- along-
with interest pendentelite & future @ 24 per cent from the date of filing
of suit till realisation.

9. The defendant is duly served as per the office report dated 4.3.1999
as his wife was served and under Order V Rule 15 CPC there is sufficient
service on the defendant. The defendant has not entered appearance in spite
of service and accordingly under Order xxxvII Sub-rule 2, CPC the plaintiff
is entitled to a decree.

10. Accordingly, the suit is decreed. The decree is passed in favour of
the plaintiff & against the defendant in the sum of Rs. 5,75,166.66/- along
with interest from 14th September, 1998 till the date of the decree at 23%
per annum and from the date of the decree till realization at 8% per annum.
There shall be no orders as to costs.

11. In view of the above, the suit is accordingly disposed of.