REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NO. 1308 OF 2020 IN CIVIL APPEAL NO. 232 OF 2016 The Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank Ltd. …Appellant(s) Versus Babulal Lade & Ors. …Respondent(s) WITH MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION DIARY NO. 1755 OF 2021 IN CIVIL APPEAL NO. 232 OF 2016 The Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank Ltd. …Appellant(s) Versus Babulal Lade & Ors. …Respondent(s) O R D E R M.R. SHAH, J. Delay condoned. 1. By Miscellaneous Application No. 1308 of 2020 in Civil Appeal No. 232 of 2016, the original appellant – applicant – The Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank Ltd. has prayed to transfer the amount of Rs. 3.52 1
crores deposited by the appellant – bank with this Hon’ble Court in the account of Collector, Bhandara alongwith interest. It is further prayed to direct the Collector, Bhandara to distribute the amount as per the entitlement of each and every employee of the sugar factory after proper identification proportionately. 1.1 One another I.A./M.A. is preferred by the bank permitting the bank to withdraw the excess amount so deposited by the appellant - bank with accrued interest till date, i.e., Rs. 4,95,94,737/-. In M.A. Diary No. 1755 of 2021, the bank has prayed to direct the employees of the respondent- sugar factory, whose legal dues are pending, to submit the relevant documents in support of dues and their claims so as to prove their legal dues and to furnish such a detail including the necessary details of their bank accounts for remitting their legal dues and furnishing their particulars alongwith a tabulation of total dues from the sugar factory till date in view of the order passed by this Hon’ble Court dated 04.12.2019 passed in Civil Appeal No. 232 of 2016. 2. At the outset, it is required to be noted that by a detailed judgment and order dated 04.12.2019 in Civil Appeal No. 232 of 2016, this Court has upheld the right of the employees of the sugar factory to receive the amount from the appellant - bank and has held that the applicant/appellant bank must pay the employees’ dues out of the sale 2
proceeds from the auctioned property. However, it is required to be noted that so far as the liability of the appellant - bank would be to pay only the employees dues of salary/wages and so far as all other statutory dues in relation to employees namely provident fund, gratuity, bonus etc. are concerned, the liability has been fastened upon the subsequent purchaser. It appears that during the pendency of the aforesaid appeal and while passing the interim order, this Court directed the applicant/appellant bank to deposit 25% of the total amount of wages and pursuant to the same, the applicant/appellant bank deposited the amount of Rs. 3.52 crores with this Court and the same has been invested in the fixed deposit. It is reported that alongwith interest, the amount comes to Rs. 4,95,94,737/-. It has come on record that earlier pursuant to the order passed by the Industrial Court, Bhandara, the appellant bank had deposited a sum of Rs. 13,89,84,334/- by demand draft dated 11.02.2021 in favour of “Member, Industrial Court, Bhandara”. 3. Thus, the amount due and payable towards the wages/salaries of the concerned employees of the sugar factory in liquidation shall have to be paid to them and/or to their legal heirs (in case the original employee has died) out of the aforesaid amount (Rs. 13,89,84,334/- + Rs. 4,95,94,737/-), which shall have to be paid on the due verification and identity as per the certificate issued by the Collector, as on 23.08.2011, 3
whereas a total sum of Rs. 13,89,84,334/- is due and payable to the employees, which amount includes the amount due and payable towards the statutory dues namely the provident fund, gratuity, bonus etc. However, at the same time, it is required to be seen that the amount goes to the right person, who is entitled to receive the amount due and payable to him and for that purpose there shall be full particulars including the bank account particulars of the concerned employees. 4. Having heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respective parties and taking into consideration the earlier order passed by this Court in Civil Appeal No. 232/2016, the present applications are disposed of with the following directions: - (i) The amount of Rs. 3.52 crores deposited by the appellant – bank, deposited with this Court pursuant to the earlier order passed by this Court with the interest accrued thereon be transferred in the account of the Collector, Bhandara so as to enable the Collector, Bhandara to distribute the same to the concerned employees/legal heirs of the employes of the sugar factory in liquidation; (ii) The amount of Rs. 13,89,84,3374/- lying with the Industrial Court, Bhandara along with the interest accrued thereon also be 4
transferred to the Collector, Bhandara in the account of Collector, Bhandara; (iii) The Collector, Bhandara is hereby directed to pay/disburse respective employees’ dues of salaries/wages to the concerned employees/legal heirs of the employes of the sugar factory in liquidation on proper identification and verification of the claims and to be deposited/paid directly in the bank account of the concerned employees/legal heirs of the employes of the sugar factory in liquidation along with the interest @ 7.5% on their respective dues. (iv) The aforesaid amount to be disbursed to the concerned employees/legal heirs of the employes of the sugar factory in liquidation at the earliest but not later than 31 st December, 2023, as observed hereinabove with the utmost transparent manner and proper identification and verification of the claims of the respective employees/legal heirs of the employes of the sugar factory in liquidation. (v) The balance amount, if any, remaining after making the payment as above to the concerned employees/legal heirs of the employees of the sugar factory in liquidation as above, be dealt 5
with in accordance with law and the balance amount be paid to the appellant – bank towards dues of the bank. With this, present applications stand disposed of. ………………………………….J. [M.R. SHAH] NEW DELHI; ………………………………….J. MARCH 24, 2023. [KRISHNA MURARI] 6
ITEM NO.1505 COURT NO.4 SECTION III (For Judgment) S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Miscellaneous Application No. 1308/2020 in C.A. No. 232/2016 THE MAHARASHTRA STATE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. Petitioner(s) VERSUS BABULAL LADE & ORS. Respondent(s) (IA No. 46070/2020 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION) WITH Diary No(s). 1755/2021 (III) ( FOR APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS ON IA 9593/2021 FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING ON IA 9595/2021 IA No. 9593/2021 - APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS IA No. 9595/2021 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING) Date : 24-03-2023 These matters were called on for pronouncement of Judgment today. For Parties Ms. Anagha S. Desai, AOR Mr. M. Y. Deshmukh, AOR Mr. Adwatiya Sharma, Adv. Mr. Manjeet Kirpal, Adv. Mr. Chander Shekhar Ashri, AOR Mr. Saurabh Prakash, Adv. Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Sinha, AOR Mr. Raju Sonkar, Adv. Mr. Arun Adhlakha, Adv. Mr. Rishikant Singh, Adv. Mr. Rajiv Kumar Jha, Adv. Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.R. Shah has pronounced the reportable judgment of the Bench comprising His Lordship and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Krishna Murari. Delay condoned. The applications stand disposed of in terms of the signed reportable judgment. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of. (NEETU SACHDEVA) (NISHA TRIPATHI) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (signed reportable judgment is placed on the file)
1 ITEM NO.53 COURT NO.8 SECTION III S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Miscellaneous Application No. 1308/2020 in C.A. No. 232/2016 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 04-12-2019 in C.A. No. No. 232/2016 passed by the Supreme Court Of India) THE MAHARASHTRA STATE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. THROUGH ITS DEPUTY MANAGER AKSHAY NAGARNAIK Appellant(s)/ Applicant(s) VERSUS BABULAL LADE & ORS. Respondent(s) IA No. 46070/2020 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION WITH Diary No(s). 1755/2021 (III) IA No. 9593/2021 - APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS IA No. 9595/2021 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING Date : 29-08-2022 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNA MURARI For Parties : Mr. M. Y. Deshmukh, AOR Ms. Manjeet Kripal, Adv. Mr. Adweetiya Sharma, Adv. Mr. Amitkumar Pathak, Adv. Mr. Satyajit A. Desai, Adv. Ms. Anagha S. Desai, AOR Mr. Satya Kam Sharma, Adv. Mr. Gajanan N. Tirthkar, Adv. Mr. Saurabh Anand, Adv. Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Sinha, AOR Mr. Raju Sonkar, Adv. Ms. Mamta Srivastava, Adv. Mrs. Pooja Sonkar, Adv. Mr. Chander Shekhar Ashri, AOR UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R We have heard Mr. M.Y. Deshmukh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant/applicant-Bank and Mr. Saurabh Anand
2 Prakash, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of Respondent Nos. 1- 3 (Workmen Union) and Mr. Amit Kumar Pathak, learned counsel, appearing for Respondent No.8. Arguments heard. Order reserved. (R. NATARAJAN) (NISHA TRIPATHI) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
ITEM NO.35 COURT NO.9 SECTION III S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Miscellaneous Application No. 1308/2020 in C.A. No. 232/2016 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 04-12-2019 in C.A. No. No. 232/2016 passed by the Supreme Court Of India) THE MAHARASHTRA STATE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. THROUGH ITS DEPUTY MANAGER AKSHAY NAGAR NAIK Petitioner(s) VERSUS BABULAL LADE & ORS. Respondent(s) (IA No. 46070/2020 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION) WITH Diary No(s). 1755/2021 (III) FOR APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS ON IA 9593/2021 FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING ON IA 9595/2021 Date : 16-08-2022 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE B.V. NAGARATHNA For Petitioner(s) Mr. Amit Pathak, Adv. Mr. Satyajit A. Desai, Adv. Mr. Siddharth Gautam, Adv. Mr. Satya Kam Sharma, Adv. Ms. Deb Deepa Majumdar, Adv. Ms. Anagha S. Desai, AOR Mr. M. Y. Deshmukh, AOR For Respondent(s) Mr. Saurabh Anand Prakash, Adv. Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Sinha, AOR Mr. Raju Sonkar, Adv. Ms. Mamta Srivastava, Adv. Mr. Rajiv Kr. Jha, Adv. Mr. Chander Shekhar Ashri, AOR UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R List on 29.08.2022. (R. NATARAJAN) (BEENA JOLLY) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS COURT MASTER (NSH)
ITEM NO.45 COURT NO.9 SECTION III S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Miscellaneous Application No. 1308/2020 in C.A. No. 232/2016 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 04-12-2019 in C.A. No. No. 232/2016 passed by the Supreme Court Of India) THE MAHARASHTRA STATE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. THROUGH ITS DEPUTY MANAGER AKSHAY NAGARNAIK Petitioner(s) VERSUS BABULAL LADE & ORS. Respondent(s) (IA No. 46070/2020 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION) WITH Diary No(s). 1755/2021 (III) (FOR APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS ON IA 9593/2021 FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING ON IA 9595/2021 IA No. 9593/2021 - APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS IA No. 9595/2021 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING) Date : 12-08-2022 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE B.V. NAGARATHNA For Petitioner(s) Ms. Anagha S. Desai, AOR Mr. M. Y. Deshmukh, AOR For Respondent(s) Mr. Chander Shekhar Ashri, AOR Mr. Saurabh Anand Prakash, Adv. Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Sinha, AOR Mr. Raju Sarkar, Adv. Mr. Arun Adlakh, Adv. Ms. Manju Srivastava, Adv. Mr. Rajiv Kr. Jha, Adv. UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R Put up on 16.08.2022. (NEETU SACHDEVA) (NISHA TRIPATHI) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
ITEM NO.38 COURT NO.11 SECTION III S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Miscellaneous Application No. 1308/2020 in C.A. No. 232/2016 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 04-12-2019 in C.A. No. No. 232/2016 passed by the Supreme Court Of India) THE MAHARASHTRA STATE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. THROUGH ITS DEPUTY MANAGER AKSHAY NAGARNAIK Petitioner(s) VERSUS BABULAL LADE & ORS. Respondent(s) (IA No. 46070/2020 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION) WITH Diary No(s). 1755/2021 (III) ( FOR APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS ON IA 9593/2021 FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING ON IA 9595/2021 IA No. 9593/2021 - APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS IA No. 9595/2021 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING) Date : 22-07-2022 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE B.V. NAGARATHNA For Parties Mr. B.S. Patil, Sr. Adv. Mr. M. Y. Deshmukh, AOR Ms. Manjeet Kirpal, Adv. Ms. Adveetiya, Adv. Dr. Manish Singhvi, Sr. Adv. Mr. Dharmendra Kumar Sinha, AOR Ms. Raju Sankar, Adv. (Appearance not clear) Ms. Shweta Sand, Adv. Mr. Amit Pathak, Adv. Mr. Satyajit A. Desai, Adv. Mr. Siddharth Gautam, Adv. Ms. Deb Deepa Majumdar, Adv. Mr. Abhishek Pandey, Adv. Ms. Anagha S. Desai, AOR Mr. Chander Shekhar Ashri, AOR UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R Put up on 12.08.2022. (NEETU SACHDEVA) (NISHA TRIPATHI) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
ITEM NO.40 COURT NO.11 SECTION III S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Miscellaneous Application No. 1308/2020 in C.A. No. 232/2016 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 04-12-2019 in C.A. No. No. 232/2016 passed by the Supreme Court Of India) THE MAHARASHTRA STATE CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. THROUGH ITS DEPUTY MANAGER AKSHAY NAGARNAIK Petitioner(s) VERSUS BABULAL LADE & ORS. Respondent(s) (IA No. 46070/2020 - CLARIFICATION/DIRECTION) WITH Diary No(s). 1204/2021 (III) ( FOR MODIFICATION ON IA 6662/2021 FOR EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. ON IA 6671/2021 FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING ON IA 9559/2021 IA No. 9559/2021 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 6671/2021 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 6662/2021 – MODIFICATION) Diary No(s). 1755/2021 (III) (FOR APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS ON IA 9593/2021 FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING ON IA 9595/2021 IA No. 9593/2021 - APPROPRIATE ORDERS/DIRECTIONS IA No. 9595/2021 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING) Date : 14-07-2022 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE B.V. NAGARATHNA For Parties Mr. Amit Kumar Pathak, Adv. Mr. Satyajit A. Desai, Adv. Ms. Anagha S. Desai, AOR Mr. Basava Prabhu S. Patil, Sr. Adv. Mr. M. Y. Deshmukh, AOR Ms. Manjeet Kirpal, Adv. Mr. Nandkumar Deshmukh, Adv. Miss Adviteeya Sharma, Adv. Dr. Manish Singhvi, Sr. Adv. Mr. D. K. Sinha, AOR Mr. Raju Sonkar, Adv. Ms. Pooja Sonkar, Adv. contd..
- 2 - UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R IA No. 46070/2020 Shri Basava Prabhu S. Patil, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf of the Bank has stated at the Bar that the respondent has already deposited a sum of Rs.13,89,84,334/- with the Industrial Tribunal/Court, which is over and above the amount of Rs.3,52,50,000/- deposited by the Appellant/ Bank with this Hon’ble Court. He proposes to file an affidavit along with the proof of the deposit. Put up on 22.07.2022. IA No. 6662/2021 Shri Basava Prabhu S. Patil, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf of the Bank does not press the present application as the Bank has already filed a substantive review petition to review the judgment and order passed by this Court in Civil Appeal No.232/2016. In that view of the matter and without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the respective parties in the pending review application, present application stands dismissed as withdrawn and Miscellaneous Application stands disposed of accordingly. In view of the above, IA No. 9559/2021 also stands dismissed as withdrawn. IA No. 9593/2021 Put up on 22.07.2022. (NEETU SACHDEVA) (NISHA TRIPATHI) ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR