The Bombay high court on Monday rapped the Union Finance Minister over not providing an alternative office space to the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT), which was shifted following a fire that broke out in its office located at Scindia House in Ballard Estate earlier in June.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagla also questioned the Union Finance Minister over DRT's paralysed condition. "The DRT isn't functioning in the country's financial capital. Is the finance minister sleeping?"
The bench warned the ministry to propose a solution or the court would pass directions for the ministry to follow. "Such matters should not come up to the court, the Ministry should deal with them at the earliest."
The matter has been reserved for further hearing on July 25. The court asked the Finance Ministry to list the steps the latter would take to provide space and necessary infrastructure for the DRT to start functioning.
The Debts Recovery Tribunal Bar Association had moved court seeking a direction to the Union Government to allot alternative space for the tribunal's office in south Mumbai.
The DRT has been non-functional since a fire broke in the building on June 2. It has been given a small room at a nearby building but only urgent matters are undertaken by the presiding officers as the office can accommodate over a mere two officers.
Earlier, a move to shift the DRT to Navi Mumbai was strongly opposed by the bar association terming the decision of the Ministry of Finance to move out from South Mumbai as completely arbitrary and unreasonable.
UP IN FLAMES
- The Debt Recovery Tribunal office in Scindia House, Ballard Estate caught fire on June 2 following which it was shifted temporarily to a smaller office.
- As a result, the DRT has been struggling to function efficiently as the makeshift office cannot accommodate all presiding officers
