Debt Recovery Tribunal lawyers move HC to stop tribunal's shift to Vashi

According to a petition filed by the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) Bar Association in the Bombay High Court, the Union Ministry of Finance's (MoF) decision to move the tribunal from south Mumbai to Vashi was completely arbitrary and unreasonable, as Navi Mumbai was not a convenient location.

The ministry had earlier stated that the decision was taken after, upon inspection, many buildings were found be unsuitable to house DRT for various reasons. The MTNL building in Vashi was found to be most suitable to house DRT as it met the spare requirement, geographical location and parking facility criteria. But the Bar Association has strongly opposed the idea, stating that on the one hand, the ministry has no data or details on the basis of which the shift was contemplated, and on the other hand, it has failed to take into consideration the grievances of the Bar Association members and the difficulties faced by various stake-holders.

The association members further claimed that the ministry was spending 50% more than what was otherwise available in the vicinity of the present DRT in south Mumbai. They said it was in the interest of justice, equity and fair play that the ministry be restrained from transferring the present DRT III.

The members urged the court to direct "ministry from entering into and executing any lease deed with regard to Vashi premises and from finalising any proposal in regard to any premises in Vashi for DRT III, situated in south Mumbai at present".

The court has now issued a notice to the ministry and directed them to file a reply. The matter has been posted for hearing on July 15.