Karnataka Micro Loan, and Small Loan Ordinance, 2025 

An attempt to regulate the unorganised microfinance market 

– Team Finserv –  Aditya Iyer | Manager  (finserv@vinodkothari.com

Background 

As has been evident from numerous reports, the microfinance sector in India is facing mounting pressure. Rising borrower distress and overindebtedness have led to criticism of microlenders for their aggressive loan sanctions without adequate checks on the borrower’s ability to pay and harsh recovery practices.   Concerns broadly pertain to: Vulnerability of borrowers, cross-selling and opacity of terms, unjustified/usurious rates of interest, multiple loan facilities and coercive methods of recovery etc.

While RBI registered entities are subjected to various regulations such as sector-specific RBI directions on microfinance, MFIN guardrails, NBFC Directions etc. there is not much to regulate the unorganised sector. In an attempt to address these concerns, and curb the challenges faced by local borrowers, the Karnataka Government promulgated ‘The Karnataka Micro Loan And Small Loan (Prevention Of Coercive Actions) Ordinance, 2025’, hereafter referred to as “Ordinance”.  Other states too have attempted to regulate microfinance lending in the past. For instance, the aftermath of the 2010 Andhra Pradesh microfinance crisis, resulted in the Andhra Pradesh Microfinance Institutions (Regulations of Money Lending) Act (2011). Similarly, Assam has also promulgated the Assam Microfinance Institutions (Regulations of Money Lending) Act (2021). The Karnataka ordinance emerges particularly in light of the spate of reported borrower suicides in the region, and reports of usurious recovery practices by lenders. 

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Union Budget 2025: Key Highlights and Reforms focusing on Financial Sector Entities

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Bond Issuance by HFCs: RBI aligns norms with those for NBFCs

Harshita Malik (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

Introduction:

While all issuance of debentures are governed by general laws under Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021 (for listed debentures), debt issuance (with maturity of more than one year) on a private placement basis,  by financial entities are also subject to additional regulatory requirements issued by RBI and NHB for NBFCs and HFCs respectively. Notable, the guidelines for HFCs were stricter and more detailed than those for NBFCs imposing a higher level of regulatory oversight and compliance requirements for HFCs. 

The RBI vide its  circular dated the 29th of January, 2025, has made a significant modification to the HFC Master Directions stating that the guidelines applicable to NBFCs for issuance of  NCDs (with a maturity of more than one year) shall mutatis mutandis apply to debenture issuances by HFCs. Accordingly, additional requirements applicable to HFCs stand deleted. Such change reflects a deliberate effort of the regulator to streamline and simplify the regulatory framework, while simultaneously easing the compliance burden for HFCs in issuing NCDs. This is in line with the overall objective of reducing the compliance burden for debt issuances through private placements, which are primarily targeted at institutional and informed investors.

In any case, NCD issuances will still be governed by other regulatory provisions. Where the existing NCDs are listed, the SEBI principle w.r.t. ‘once listed to be always listed’[1] shall continue to apply, thereby requiring listed HFCs to list every subsequent NCDs and comply with governance norms under SEBI Regulations.

It shall be noted that these guidelines are only applicable to NCDs with a maturity period of more than one year, while short-term NCDs with maturity of less than one year, shall be governed by the Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Paper and Non-Convertible Debentures of Original or Initial Maturity Up to One Year) Directions, 2024.

Applicability:

This circular shall be applicable to all fresh private placements of NCDs (with maturity more than one year) by HFCs from the date of this circular, that is January 29, 2025.

Analysis of Changes:

It appears that the RBI has effectively removed such provisions from the HFC Master Directions that were not explicitly mirrored in the SBR Master Directions. The newly inserted Para 56A, drawn verbatim from Para 58 of the SBR Master Directions, retains only such provisions that are common for both .

An analysis of the impact on the applicable provisions of the HFC Master Directions is provided in the table below:

Para No.ParticularsApplicabilityImpact of the change
EarlierNow
57.1Use of NCD proceeds for balance sheet funding onlyNo change in the purpose of issue
57.2Prohibition on issuing NCDs for group or parent company use
58.1Minimum maturity period of 12 months for NCDsXRemoval of restrictions on exercise date, roll-over and tenor of the NCDs. However, as discussed, these guidelines will only be applicable for NCDs with a tenure of more than one year and short-term debentures will be governed by separate guidelines.   Further, where the Company has obtained credit rating, quite naturally, the tenor would not exceed the validity period.
58.2Option exercise date must exceed one year from issue dateX
58.3Roll-over of NCDs- not allowedX
58.4Tenor of NCDs limited to Credit Rating validity periodX
59.1Requirement of Credit Rating from approved agencies for issuing NCDsXNo requirement to obtain credit rating for issuance of NCDs
59.2Minimum credit rating requirement for timely servicing of obligationsXSince no requirement to mandatorily obtain credit rating, this provision would no longer be relevant
59.3Ensure current and valid credit rating at NCD issuanceXNo need to ensure current and valid Credit Rating for NCD issuance
60.1Subscriber limit and security requirement for NCDs with maximum subscription of less than ₹1 croreNo change in maximum number of investors and minimum amount of subscription per investor  
60.2No subscriber limit or requirement for security creation for NCDs with maximum subscription of ₹1 crore and above
60.3Minimum subscription of ₹20,000 per investor
60.4Two categories for private placement of NCDs based on subscription amount
61.1Limit on on amount of NCD issuance based on Board approval or credit rating agency guidelinesXSince credit rating is not mandatory, the requirement does not seem relevant. However, if the HFC obtains credit rating, naturally, the amount of issuance under such rating will be limited to the amount stated in the letter.
61.2Completion of NCD issuance within 30 days of openingXNo time limit for completion of the issue. However, the time lines under Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021 will apply.
62.1Board-approved policy for resource planning and NCD issuanceNo change in the requirement of a Board approved policy
62.2Offer document for private placement of NCDs to be issued within 6 Months of Board resolutionXNo timeline is there within which offer document has to be issued from the date of passing of board resolution.
63.1Disclosure requirements in offer document for private placement of NCDsXThe requirement for disclosure in offer documents as per the HFC Directions has been removed. However, the HFCs shall continue to comply with the disclosure requirements as per Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with  Rule 14(1) of Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules, 2014 and Regulation 28 of the SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021 in case of issuance of listed NCDs
63.2Auditor’s certification requirementXNo requirement for obtaining  auditor’s certificate
63.3Compliance with Companies Act, SEBI Regulations, and other applicable lawsWhile the said provision has not been retained, in any case, any debt issuance will be subjected to provisions of Companies Act, 2013 and Rules framed thereunder shall be applicable, wherever not contradictory, along with other applicable laws.
63.4Issuance of Debenture Certificate in accordance with legal timeframeXThis paragraph becomes redundant, as SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021 and Rule 9A and Rule 9B of the Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules, 2014, stipulate that securities,  must be issued in dematerialized form only.
64.1Appointment of Debenture Trustee for each issueXNo need to appoint a Debenture Trustee
64.2Eligibility criteria for Debenture TrusteeX
64.3Submission of information by HFCs, based on information provided by theDebenture Trustee,  as required by NHBX
65.1Requirement for fully  secured NCDsXThis would be relevant only where the debentures are secured in nature. This requirement has been deleted, however, applicable provisions under Companies Act and SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021/SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 will be applicable in case of security creation for secured debentures.
65.2Escrow arrangement for insufficient security coverX
65.3Exemption for hybrid or subordinated debtX
65.4Exemption for NCDs with  a maturity of more than one year and having the minimum subscription per investor at ₹1 crore and aboveX
66Preference for issuance of NCDs in dematerialized formXDirections no longer prescribe a preferred mode of issuance, however, SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021 and Rule 9A and Rule 9B of the Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules, 2014, stipulate that securities,  must be issued in dematerialized form only.
67Prohibition on loans against own debenturesRestrictions on extension of loans against security of HFCs’ own debentures continues
68.1Disclosure in the Board’s report requirements on unclaimed or unpaid NCDsXNo requirement of disclosures in the Board’s report. However, disclosure requirements as per applicable laws will continue to apply
68.2Disclosure in the Board’s report requirements on the remaining unclaimed or unpaid NCDsX
68AExemption for tax-exempt bonds issued by HFCsExemption from applicability of these Directions given to tax exempt bonds continues

[1] https://www.sebi.gov.in/media/press-releases/jun-2023/sebi-board-meeting_73278.html
Our article on the same can be read here-

Mandatory listing for further bond issues

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Paper and Non-Convertible Debentures of
original or initial maturity upto one year) Directions, 2024

The Clean up call: RBI Action against Lending practices

Virtual Webinar | 28th October 2024 | 6:15 PM.

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Recent Updates to HFC Directions: What you need to know

-Chirag Agarwal | chirag@vinodkothari.com

On October 10, 2024, RBI updated the Master Direction – Non-Banking Financial Company – Housing Finance (‘HFC Directions’) applicable to HFCs. The HFC Directions were updated to consolidate various circulars that have been issued since its last update on March 21, 2024. A significant change in this edition is the introduction of a new format for the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) following the rollout of the Key Facts Statement (KFS) vide circular no DOR.STR.REC.13/13.03.00/2024-25 dated April 15, 2024. 

In this article, we will be discussing the changes introduced by the October 10th update to the HFC Directions.

Clarification regarding MITC and KFS

Previously, Para 85.8 of the HFC Directions mandated that to facilitate a quick, and better understanding of the terms and conditions of the housing loan,  a document containing the ‘Most Important Terms and Conditions’ (MITC) must be furnished to the borrower. However, when the KFS circular was first introduced, there was some ambiguity regarding whether both the MITC and KFS would apply to HFCs. This confusion arose because both disclosures contained overlapping information. However, with the recent updates to the HFC Directions on October 10, 2024, clarity has been provided on this matter. The revised regulations clearly state that “the HFCs shall additionally obtain a document containing the other most important terms and conditions (MITC) of such loan (i.e., other than the details included in KFS)”. 

Notably, the MITC has now been renamed as Other Most Important Terms and Conditions (‘OMITC’). The OMITC will no longer include disclosures that are already covered in the KFS. The revised format no longer includes an obligation to disclose details of the loan amount, interest rate, type of interest, details of moratorium, date of reset of interest, installment type, loan tenure, the purpose of the loan, fees and other charges, as well as the details of the grievance redressal mechanisms now exclusively appear in the KFS. Further, other substantive aspects have been retained, i.e., details of the security/collateral for the loan, details of the insurance, conditions for disbursement of the loan, repayment of the loans and interest,  procedure to be followed for recovery, the date on which annual outstanding balance sheet will be issued, and details of the customer services.

This updated approach simplifies the compliance process for HFCs by clearly defining where specific information should be disclosed. It reduces redundancy and ensures that borrowers can find critical information in a consolidated format without surfing through repetitive disclosures. 

Consolidation of Circulars

The following circulars and notifications have been consolidated under the HFC Directions pursuant to the update:

Details of circulars consolidatedOur resources on the topic
Key Facts Statement (KFS) for Loans & AdvancesThe Key to Loan Transparency: RBI frames KFS norms for all retail and MSME loans
Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management in Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) (including Housing Finance Companies)Revamped Fraud Risk Management Directions: Governance structure, natural justice, early warning system as key requirements
Guidance Note on Operational Risk Management and Operational ResilienceRisk Management Function of NBFCs – A Need to Integrate Operational Risk Management & Resilience
Review of Risk Weights for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)HFCs: risk weights for undisbursed home loans rationalised
Investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)Some relief in RBI stance on lenders’ round tripping investments in AIFs
Frequency of reporting of credit information by Credit Institutions to Credit Information Companies

Conclusion 

To summarise, the recent updates to the HFC Directions not only consolidate past circulars but also clarify the relationship between the MITC and KFS. HFCs can now navigate their disclosure requirements more effectively, enhancing transparency and making it easier for consumers to understand the terms of their loan.

Our other resources on the topic are:-

  1. Aligning Regulations: Harmonizing the Frameworks for HFCs and NBFCs
  2. Housing finance companies regulatory framework: RBI proposes sectoral harmonisation
  3. HFCs: risk weights for undisbursed home loans rationalised

RBI proposes major regulatory restrictions on bank NBFCs and HFCs

– Vinod Kothari, finserv@vinodkothari.com

Banking regulation is slated to get into a group-wide regulatory framework, embroiling group entities of banks. According to a draft of the proposed regulation circulated on 4th October, 2024,[1] (“Draft Proposal”) NBFCs in the bank group, engaged in lending or housing finance shall be treated as Upper Layer entities, and additionally, shall be subject to the restrictions on lending as applicable to banks. The proposed regulations also provide that there shall be no overlap between the business carried by the bank[2], and that by bank group entities, which, literally, would mean that lending and asset finance business cannot be done by banking group companies, and if the bank has a housing finance subsidiary, housing finance can be done only by the housing finance entity.

Once the draft circular, expected to force banks to do a major group rejig, is finalised, banks will have 2 years time to comply with it. The restrictions are proposed to be put by way of amendments to the 2016 Master Direction- Reserve Bank of India (Financial Services provided by Banks) Directions, 2016[3] (‘Master Directions’).

The following are some of the major proposals:

  1. Certain activities can be carried only by subsidiaries, and not by banks departmentally

These include activities listed under paragraphs 13, 14(a), 14(b), 15, 16, 17 and 22 in Chapter – III of the Master Directions viz. mutual fund business, insurance business, pension fund management, investment advisory services, portfolio management services and broking services or other such risk-sharing activities that require ring-fencing. While out of the list aforesaid, mutual fund business and Insurance business with risk participation, pension fund management investment advisory services, portfolio management service, broking services for commodity derivatives segment were there in the 2016 Directions as well, the new inclusion seems to be “risk sharing activities that require ring-fencing”. This expression will obviously require explanation. Formation of a limited liability entity is sometimes recommended for the reason of ring-fencing, that is, ensuring that the business liabilities do not go beyond the investment made by the shareholder. Hence, if the activity carried by the bank is something that is in the nature of risk absorption or risk participation, the same can be done only through separate entities.

  1. No overlap in permitted businesses

The most challenging requirement would be to ensure that in case of multiple regulated entities in the same banking group, only one entity within the group shall be allowed to engage in a specific type of permissible business. There should not be any overlap between loan products extended by the bank and its group entities. Hence, in case the group has an HFC extending housing loans, the same shall not be extended by the banking entity.

  1. Bank lending restrictions apply to group entities as well

There are numerous restrictions on lending by banks[4], including lending to connected entities, directors’ interested entities, senior officers, etc. To the extent these are not currently applicable to NBFCs and HFCs, these restrictions will now apply to such entities in the banking group.

Further, the Draft Proposal also provides that group entities shall not be deployed for regulatory arbitrage – they cannot do what is not permitted for the bank.

  1. Bar on investment in Category III AIFs

Banks shall not invest in Cat III AIFs. In case of a bank’s group entities, if the entity is a sponsor of an AIF, it can only hold the minimum investment required as a sponsor [Rs. 1 crore]. Note that earlier in December 2023, the RBI has given a shocker, to curb round tripping of money, prohibiting banks and NBFCs to make investment in such AIFs, which in turn have an investment in borrowers of banks/NBFCs[5]. Further, prior approval from RBI’s Department of Regulations shall be required before investing 20% or more in the equity capital of any financial services company/ Category I or II AIF either individually or collectively by the bank group

  1. The statutory cap of 30% of investee’s capital to include investments by group companies

It is an important provision of the Banking Regulation Act [Section 19(2)] that restricts a bank from holding more than 30% of the equity capital of an investee. This cap shall now include shares held by group companies as well. In existing practice, NBFCs/lending entities in the group are deployed for holding shares or pledges of more than 30%. In fact, one of the proposed changes speaks about shares held indirectly through “trustee companies” as well, raising a question whether shares held by mutual funds and AIFs will also be aggregated. The answer should be negative, as MF and AIF investments cannot be said to be investments held indirectly by the bank, unless the AIF is majority controlled by the bank.

  1. Capital management to be group-wide

The banking group shall have a group-wide capital management policy, enumerating risks and providing economic capital. Understandably, ICAAP will also have to be monitored on a group-wide basis.

Our comments

Veteran bankers are not surprised by the RBI’s move, though, with expected losses, changes in LCR requirements and lot more in the offing, this seems too much over too short a time. In fact, when the non-operating financial holding company (NOFHC) model was recommended in 2013 by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, it was laid there that “(T)he general principle is that no financial services entity held by the NOFHC would be allowed to engage in any activity that a bank is permitted to undertake departmentally”. The idea of ring fencing of diverse activities was inspired by the need for controlling contagion, alleviation of regulatory arbitrage, etc. The RBI’s Internal Committee named P K Mohanty Working Group also made similar recommendations.

The proposed changes are clearly aimed at curbing any possibility of regulatory arbitrage. Currently, most foreign banks in India have non-banking finance companies; several Indian banks also have NBFCs which are quite large in size and do things which the bank does. In some cases, such as lending against shares, given the NBFC lending norms being more liberal, NBFCs are used for loans against shares, particularly for funding equity investments by group holding companies. Further, NBFCs are not subject to the statutory limit of 30% of the investee company’s capital, by way of ownership, pledge or mortgage. This liberty will no longer be available.

As regards housing finance entities forming part of banking groups, unless the RBI provides a carve out, there will be need to do major corporate restructuring. There are large home loan portfolios both within banks, as also in bank group HFCs. The bank will either need to spin off the housing finance business, or to consider stake sale in HFCs to bring them out of the “group company” definition.

In short, once the proposed changes are finally coded, the banking sector in the country is headed for some very far reaching restructuring changes.


[1] https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Content/PDFs/DRAFTCIRCULAR0410202419AC7BEE698D41F4BF221D39468A9E59.PDF

[2] There is a list of permissible activities that can be undertaken by the bank, laid down in Master Direction- Reserve Bank of India (Financial Services provided by Banks) Directions, 2016 (Updated as on August 10, 2021)

[3] 25MD2605164EDAA7B1E214468EBE2D7CC406CA6648.PDF (rbi.org.in)

[4] Prescribed under Master Circular- Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions 95MND246C0F34D0041F6831205AB5D695422.PDF (rbi.org.in)

[5] https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12572&Mode=0


Other related resources:

  1. RBI bars lenders’ investments in AIFs investing in their borrowers

Aligning Regulations: Harmonizing the Frameworks for HFCs and NBFCs

Team Finserv (finserv@vinodkothari.com)

Vide notification dated August 12, 2024, RBI has amended certain regulations applicable to Housing Finance Companies, and NBFCs to enure harmonization between HFC Master Directions and SBR Master Directions. These amendments shall be effective from January 01, 2025. The following table contains a snapshot of the changes from all HFCs and NBFCs1:

Sr.Particulars Erstwhile provisionAmended / Harmonised provision
Changes in HFC Master Directions for all HFCs
1Participation in exchange-traded currency derivativesHFCs were allowed to participate in currency futures and options however no regulatory guidelines were prescribed for the same.All HFCs can now participate in currency futures exchanges and Non-deposit HFCs with asset size of ₹1000 crore and above can participate in currency option exchanges, subject to the guidelines issued in the matter by the Foreign Exchange Department of the Reserve Bank and necessary disclosures in the balance sheet in accordance with guidelines issued by SEBI.
3Participation in Interest Rate FuturesHFCs were allowed to participate in interest rate futures however no regulatory guidelines were prescribed for the same.All HFCs can now participate in interest rate futures exchanges as clients and Non-deposit HFCs with asset size of ₹1000 crore and above are permitted to participate in interest rate futures market as trading members, subject to adherence to instructions contained in Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2019 dated June 26, 2019, as amended from time to time.
4Credit Default Swaps (CDS)HFCs were allowed to participate in the CDS market however no regulatory guidelines were prescribed for the same.HFCs will now be permitted to participate in the CDS market as users only and they may buy credit protection only to hedge their credit risk on corporate bonds they hold. 

HFCs cannot enter into short positions in CDS contracts.

HFCs shall be required to comply with Annex XIV of SBR Directions while participating in CDS market as users.
5Issue of co-branded credit cardsHFCs were not allowed to issue co-branded cards under the erstwhile directions.HFCs are now allowed to issue co-branded credit cards, subject to the instructions prescribed in Master Direction – Credit Card and Debit Card – Issuance and Conduct Directions, 2022, as amended from time to time.
6Accounting YearEvery HFC shall prepare its financial statements for the year ending on the 31st day of March.HFCs must finalize their balance sheets within 3 months from the relevant date. If an HFC wishes to extend this period under the Companies Act, it must first obtain approval from NHB before seeking an extension from the RoC. In cases where NHB and RoC grants extension of time, the HFC shall furnish to NHB a proforma balance sheet(unaudited) as on March 31 of the year and the returns due on the said date.
7Periodicity of IS AuditThe Audit Committee must ensure that an Information System Audit of the critical and significant internal systems and processes is conducted at least once in two years to assess operational risks faced by the HFC. HFCs can now decide the periodicity of IS Audit as per its policy in accordance with IT Governance Directions. However, a continuous auditing approach for critical systems shall be undertaken.
8Investment through Alternative Investment Funds for calculation of NOFNo regulatory guidelines were prescribedTo determine the Net Owned Funds (NOF) of a Housing Finance Company (HFC), investments or loans to subsidiaries, group companies, and other HFCs exceeding 10% of owned funds are deducted from the owned funds. Investments made by an HFC in group entities, either directly or indirectly through an AIF (if 50% or more of the AIF’s funds come from the HFC) or an AIF trust (if the HFC is the beneficial owner and 50% of the trust’s funds come from the HFC), shall be treated similarly.
9Technical Specifications for all participants of Account Aggregator ecosystemRegulatory provisions did not existHFCs acting either as ‘Financial Information Provider’ or ‘Financial Information User’ are expected to adopt the technical specifications published by ReBIT, as updated from time to time.
Changes in SBR Directions for all NBFCs
7Periodicity of IS AuditThe Audit Committee must ensure that an Information System Audit of the critical and significant internal systems and processes is conducted at least once in two years to assess operational risks faced by the NBFCs. NBFCs can now decide the periodicity of IS Audit as per its policy in accordance with IT Governance Directions. Further, a continuous auditing approach for critical systems shall be undertaken.
  1.  The changes specifically for deposit taking HFCs and NBFCs have note been covered ↩︎

HFCs: risk weights for undisbursed home loans rationalised

Vinod Kothari and Anita Baid l finserv@vinodkothari.com

What is the notification on change in Risk Weights (RWs) issued by RBI?

RBI has issued notification dated August 12, 2024 on Review of Risk Weights for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs). Accordingly, with immediate effect, the RWsfor computation of risk weighted assets (RWAs), for capital adequacy purposes, for for undisbursed portion of housing loans/other loans shall be capped at the RWA  computed on a notional basis for an equivalent amount of disbursed loan. In other words, the applicable RW shall be lower of (a) RW, applying the credit conversion factor (CCF) on the undisbursed loan, with a 100% RW; and (b) the RW that will be applicable, based on the size and the LTV of the loan, if the undisbursed part were to be disbursed. 

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Two days refresher course on NBFC Regulations

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Refer our resources on SBR:

Recovery of debt by HFCs and initiation of SARFAESI action in case of a decided civil suit: Two significant rulings by High Courts

-Shrestha Banerjee & Archisman Bhattacharjee I finserv@vinodkothari.com

Introduction

The High Courts of Madhya Pradesh and Kerala recently rendered two judgments delving into crucial legal inquiries surrounding the recoverability and enforcement of security interests in instances of borrower default via initiation of SARFAESI proceedings by financial institutions.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s ruling specifically addresses the recoverability of Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) in relation to the initiation of SARFAESI actions following borrower default. Conversely, the Kerala High Court’s judgement examines the enforcement of security interests through SARFAESI actions, where the same has been initiated without placing consideration on any judgement delivered by the civil courts concerning such recovery.

In this article, we aim to analyse both judgments, shedding light on their implications and legal interpretations.

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