The Recovery Of Debts And Bankruptcy Act, 1993

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The Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993  

(ACT NO. 51 OF 1993) 

[As on the 15th May, 2026] 

  



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LIST OF AMENDING ACTS 

1. The Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act, 

1995 (28 of 1995). 

2. The Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions (Amendment)  

(Amendment) Act. 2800 (1 of 2000). 

3. The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) 

Act, 2004 (30 of 2004). 

4. The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) 

Act, 2012 (1 of 2013). 

5. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016). 

6. The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws and Miscellaneous 

Provisions (Amendment) Act, 2016 (44 of 2016). 

7. The Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017). 

8. The Finance Act, 2021 (13 of 2021). 

9. The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 (33 of 2021). 
 

 

 

 

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED 

Cl., cls.              . . . .             .          for            Clause, clauses. 

Ins.                 . . . .  .          ,,               Inserted. 

Notifn.  . . . . .  ,,     Notification. 

S., ss.  . . . . .  ,,     Section, sections. 

Sch.  . . . . .  ,,     Schedule. 

Subs.  . . . . .  ,,     Substituted. 

w.e.f.  . . . . .  ,,     with effect from. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS AND BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1993 

______________ 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1. Short title, extent, commencement and application. 

2. Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

ESTABLISHMENT OF TRIBUNAL AND APPELLATE TRIBUNAL 

3. Establishment of Tribunal. 

4. Composition of Tribunal. 

5. Qualifications for appointment as Presiding Officer. 

6. Term of office of Presiding Officer. 

 6A. Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officer. 

7. Staff of Tribunal. 

8. Establishment of Appellate Tribunal. 

9. Composition of Appellate Tribunal. 

10. Qualifications for appointment as Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal. 

11. Term of office of Chairperson of Appellate Tribunal. 

12. Staff of the Appellate Tribunal. 

13. Salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officers. 

14. Filling up of vacancies. 

15. Resignation and removal. 

 15A. Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Chairperson. 

16. Orders constituting Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal to be final and not to invalidate its 

proceedings. 

CHAPTER III 

JURISDICTION, POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF TRIBUNALS 

17. Jurisdiction, powers and authority of Tribunals. 

17A. Power of Chairperson of Appellate Tribunal. 

18. Bar of jurisdiction. 

CHAPTER IV 

PROCEDURE OF TRIBUNALS 

19. Application to the Tribunal. 

19A. Filing of recovery applications, documents and written statements in electronic form. 

20. Appeal to the Appellate Tribunal. 

21. Deposit of amount of debt due, on filing appeal. 

22. Procedure and powers of the Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal. 

22A. Uniform procedure for conduct of proceedings. 

23. Right to legal representation and Presenting Officers. 

24. Limitation. 

 



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CHAPTER V 

RECOVERY OF DEBT DETERMINED BY TRIBUNAL 

SECTIONS 

25. Modes of recovery of debts. 

26. Validity of certificate and amendment thereof. 

27. Stay of proceedings under certificate and amendment or withdrawal thereof. 

28. Other modes of recovery. 

29. Application of certain provisions of Income-tax Act. 

30. Appeal against the order of Recovery Officer. 

30A. Deposit of amount of debt due for filing appeal against orders of the Recovery Officer. 

CHAPTER VI 

MISCELLANEOUS 

31. Transfer of pending cases. 

31A. Power of Tribunal to issue certificate of recovery in case of decree or order. 

31B. Priority to secured creditors. 

32. Chairperson, Presiding Officer and staff of Appellate Tribunal and Tribunal to be public servants. 

33. Protection of action taken in good faith. 

34. Act to have overriding effect. 

35. Power to remove difficulties. 

36. Power to make rules. 

37. Repeal and saving.  



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 THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS AND BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1993 

ACT NO. 51 OF 1993 

[27th August, 1993.] 

An Act to provide for the establishment of Tribunals for expeditious adjudication and recovery 

of debts due to banks and financial institutions 1[, insolvency resolution and bankruptcy of 

individuals and partnership firms] and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent, commencement and application.—(1) This Act may be called the Recovery 

of Debts 2[and Bankruptcy] Act, 1993. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir*. 

(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 24th day of June, 1993. 

(4) 3[Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Code] shall not apply where the amount of 

debt due to any bank or financial institution or to a consortium of banks or financial institutions is less 

than ten lakh rupees or such other amount, being not less than one lakh rupees, as the Central Government 

may, by notification, specify. 

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “Appellate Tribunal” means an Appellate Tribunal established under sub-section (1) of 

section 8; 

(b) “application” means an application made to a Tribunal under section 19; 

(c) “appointed day”, in relation to a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal, means the date on which 

such Tribunal is established under sub-section (1) of section 3 or, as the case may be, sub-section (1) 

of section 8; 

(d) “bank” means— 

(i) banking company; 

(ii) a corresponding new bank; 

(iii) State Bank of India; 

(iv) a subsidiary bank; or 

(v) a Regional Rural Bank; 
4[(vi) a multi-State co-operative bank;] 

(e) “banking company” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (c) of section 5 of the 

Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949); 
5[(ea) “Chairperson” means a Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal appointed under section 9;] 

(f) “corresponding new bank” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (da) of section 5 of 

the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949); 
6[(g) “debt” means any liability (inclusive of interest) which is claimed as due from any person 

7[or a pooled investment vehicle as defined in clause (da) of section 2 of the Securities Contracts 

(Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956)] by a bank or a financial institution or by a consortium of banks 

or financial institutions during the course of any business activity undertaken by the bank or the 

financial institution or the consortium under any law for the time being in force, in cash or otherwise,  

whether secured or unsecured, or assigned, or whether payable under a decree or order of any civil 

court or any arbitration award or otherwise or under a mortgage and subsisting on, and legally 

 
1. Ins. by Act 31 of 2016, s. 249 and Sch. V (w.e.f. 1-12-2019). 

2. Subs. by s. 249 and Sch. V, ibid., for “Due to Banks and Financial Institutions” (w.e.f. 1-12-2019).  

3. Subs. by s. 249 and Sch. V, ibid., for “The provision of this Act” (w.e.f. 1-12-2019). 
4. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 12 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 

5. Ins. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 3 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 

6. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for cl. (g) (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 

7. Ins. by Act 13 of 2021, s. 160 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021). 

*. Vide notifn. No. S.O. 3912(E), dated 30th October, 2019, this Act is made applicable to the Union territory of Jammu and 

Kashmir and the Union territory of Ladakh. 

 



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recoverable on, the date of the application 1[and includes any liability towards debt securities which 

remains unpaid in full or part after notice of ninety days served upon the borrower by the debenture 

trustee or any other authority in whose favour security interest is created for the benefit of holders of 

debt securities or;]] 

1[(ga) “debt securities” means debt securities listed in accordance with regulations made by the 

Securities Exchange Board of India under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992              

(15 of 1992);] 

(h) “financial institution” means— 

(i) a public financial institution within the meaning of section 4A of the Companies Act, 1956 

(1 of 1956); 

2[(ia) the securitisation company or reconstruction company which has obtained a certificate 

of registration under sub-section (4) of section 3 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of 

Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (54 of 2002);] 

1[(ib) a debenture trustee registered with the Board and appointed for secured debt securities;] 

(ii) such other institution as the Central Government may, having regard to its business 

activity and the area of its operation in India, by notification, specify; 

1[(ha) “financial lease” means a lease under a lease agreement of tangible asset, other than 

negotiable instrument or negotiable document, for transfer of lessor’s right therein to the lessee for a 

certain time in consideration of payment of agreed amount periodically and where lessee becomes the 

owner of the such assets at the expiry of the term of lease or on payment of the agreed residual 

amount, as the case may be;] 

(i) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(j) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 

3[(ja) “Presiding Officer” means the Presiding Officer of the Debts Recovery Tribunal appointed 

under sub-section (1) of section 4;] 

1[(jb) “property” means—  

(a) immovable property;  

(b) movable property;  

(c) any debt or any right to receive payment of money, whether secured or unsecured;  

(d) receivables, whether existing or future;  

(e) intangible assets, being know-how, patent, copyright, trade mark, licence, franchise or 

any other business or commercial right of similar nature, as may be prescribed by the Central 

Government in consultation with Reserve Bank;] 

(k) “Recovery Officer” means a Recovery Officer appointed by the Central Government for each 

Tribunal under sub-section (1) of section 7; 

(l) “Regional Rural Bank” means a Regional Rural Bank established under section 3 of the 

Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (21 of 1976); 

1[(la) “secured creditor” shall have the meaning as assigned to it in clause (zd) of sub-section (1) 

of section 2 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security 

Interest Act, 2002 (54 of 2002); 

 
1. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 26 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

2. Ins. by Act 30 of 2004, s. 19 (w.e.f. 11-11-2004). 
3. Ins. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 3 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 



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(lb) “security interest” means mortgage, charge, hypothecation, assignment or any other right, 

title or interest of any kind whatsoever upon property, created in favour of any bank or financial 

institution and includes— 

(a) such right, title or interest upon tangible asset, retained by the bank or financial institution 

as owner of the property, given on hire or financial lease or conditional sale which secures the 

obligation to pay any unpaid portion of the purchase price of the asset or an obligation incurred or 

any credit provided to enable the borrower to acquire the tangible asset; or 

(b) such right, title or interest in any intangible asset or licence of any intangible asset, which 

secures the obligation to pay any unpaid portion of the purchase price of the intangible asset or 

the obligation incurred or any credit extended to enable the borrower to acquire the intangible 

asset or licence of intangible asset;] 

(m) “State Bank of India” means the State Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the State 

Bank of India Act, 1955 (23 of 1955); 

(n) “subsidiary bank” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (k) of section 2 of the State 

Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959); 

(o) “Tribunal” means the Tribunal established under sub-section (1) of section 3. 

CHAPTER II 

ESTABLISHMENT OF TRIBUNAL AND APPELLATE TRIBUNAL 

3. Establishment of Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish one or 

more Tribunals, to be known as the Debts Recovery Tribunal, to exercise the jurisdiction, powers and 

authority conferred on such Tribunal by or under this Act. 

1[(1A) The Central Government shall by notification establish such number of Debts Recovery 

Tribunals and its benches as it may consider necessary, to exercise the jurisdiction, powers and authority 

of the Adjudicating Authority conferred on such Tribunal by or under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy 

Code, 2016 (31 of 2016).] 

(2) The Central Government shall also specify, in the notification referred to in sub-section (1), the 

areas within which the Tribunal may exercise jurisdiction for entertaining and deciding the applications 

filed before it. 

4. Composition of Tribunal.—(1) A Tribunal shall consist of one person only (hereinafter referred 

to as the Presiding Officer) to be appointed, by notification, by the Central Government. 

2[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government may— 

(a) authorise the Presiding Officer of any other Tribunal established under any other law for the 

time being in force to discharge the function of the Presiding Officer of a Debt Recovery Tribunal 

under this Act in addition to his being the Presiding Officer of that Tribunal; or 

(b) authorise the judicial Member holding post as such in any other Tribunal, established under 

any other law for the time being in force, to discharge the functions of the Presiding Officer of Debts 

Recovery Tribunal under this Act, in addition to his being the judicial Member of that Tribunal.] 

5. Qualifications for appointment as Presiding Officer.—A person shall not be qualified for 

appointment as the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal unless he is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a 

District Judge. 

3[6. Term of office of Presiding Officer.— The Presiding Officer of a Tribunal shall hold office for 

a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall be eligible for 

reappointment: 

Provided that no person shall hold office as the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal after he has attained 

the age of sixty-five years.] 

 

 

 
1. Ins. by Act 31 of 2016, s. 249 and Sch. V (w.e.f. 1-12-2019).  
2. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 27, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

3. Subs. by s. 28, ibid., for s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016).  



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1[6A. Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officer.—Notwithstanding 

anything contained in this Act, the qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries and allowances, 

resignation, removal and the other terms and conditions of service of the Presiding Officer of the Tribunal 

appointed after the commencement of 2[the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the 

provisions of Chapter II of the said Act]: 

 Provided that the Presiding Officer appointed before the commencement of Part XIV of Chapter VI 

of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall continue to be governed by the provisions of this Act, and the 

rules made thereunder as if the provisions of section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017 had not come into 

force.] 

7. Staff of Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government shall provide the Tribunal 3[with one or more 

Recovery Officers] and such other officers and employees as that Government may think fit. 

(2) 4[The Recovery Officers] and other officers and employees of a Tribunal shall discharge their 

functions under the general superintendence of the Presiding Officer. 

(3) The salaries and allowances and other conditions of service of the 5[Recovery Officers] and other 

officers and employees of a Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed. 

8. Establishment of Appellate Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, 

establish one or more Appellate Tribunals, to be known as the Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal, to 

exercise the jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on such Tribunal by or under this Act: 
6[Provided that the Central Government may authorise the Chairperson of any other Appellate 

Tribunal, established under any other law for the time being in force, to discharge the functions of the 

Chairperson of the Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal under this Act in addition to his being the 

Chairperson of that Appellate Tribunal.] 
7[(1A) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish such number of Debt Recovery 

Appellate Tribunals to exercise jurisdiction, powers and authority to entertain appeal against the order 

made by the Adjudicating Authority under Part III of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016             

(31 of 2016).] 

(2) The Central Government shall also specify in the notification, referred to in sub-section (1) the 

Tribunals in relation to which the Appellate Tribunal may exercise jurisdiction. 
8[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), the Central Government may 

authorise the Chairperson of one Appellate Tribunal to discharge also the functions of the Chairperson of 

other Appellate Tribunal.] 

9. Composition of Appellate Tribunal.—An Appellate Tribunal shall consist of one person only 

(hereinafter referred to as 9[the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal]) to be appointed, by notification, 

by the Central Government. 

10. Qualifications for appointment as 9[the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal].—A person 

shall not be qualified for appointment as 10[the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal] unless he— 

(a) is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court; or 

(b) has been a member of the Indian Legal Service and has held a post in Grade I of that service 

for at least three years; or 

(c) has held office as the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal for at least three years. 
11[11. Term of office of Chairperson of Appellate Tribunal.—The Chairperson of an Appellate 

Tribunal shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and 

shall be eligible for reappointment: 

 
1. Ins. by Act 7 of 2017, s. 179 (w.e.f. 26-5-2017). 

2. Subs. by Act 33 of 2021, s. 18, for “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the 

provisions of section 184 of that Act” (w.e.f. 4-4-2021). 

3. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 4, for “with a Recovery Officer” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “The Recovery Officer” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
5. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “Recovery Officer” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
6. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 29 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

7. Ins. by Act 31 of 2016, s. 249 and Sch. V (w.e.f. 1-12-2019). 
8. Ins. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 5 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
9. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the Presiding Officer of the Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
10. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the Presiding Officer of an Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
11. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 30, for s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 



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Provided that no person shall hold office as the Chairperson of a Appellate Tribunal after he has 

attained the age of seventy years.] 

12. Staff of the Appellate Tribunal.—The provisions of section 7 (except those relating to Recovery 

Officer) shall, so far as may be, apply to an Appellate Tribunal as they apply to a Tribunal and 

accordingly references in that section to “Tribunal” shall be construed as references to “Appellate 

Tribunal” and references to “Recovery Officer” shall be deemed to have been omitted. 

13. Salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officers.—The 

salary and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service (including pension, 

gratuity and other retirement benefits) of, 1[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an 

Appellate Tribunal] shall be such as may be prescribed: 

Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of 2[the 

Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal shall be varied to his] 

disadvantage after appointment. 

14. Filling up of vacancies.—If, for any reason other than temporary absence, any vacancy occurs in 

the office of 3[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal], then the 

Central Government shall appoint another person in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill the 

vacancy and the proceedings may be continued before the Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal from the 

stage at which the vacancy is filled. 

15. Resignation and removal.—(1) 1[The Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an 

Appellate Tribunal] may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Central Government, resign 

his office: 

Provided that 4[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal] shall, 

unless he is permitted by the Central Government to relinquish his office sooner, continue to hold office 

until the expiry of three months from the date of receipt of such notice or until a person duly appointed as 

his successor enters upon his office or until the expiry of his term of office, whichever is the earliest. 

(2) 1[The Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal] shall not be 

removed from his office except by an order made by the Central Government on the ground of proved 

misbehaviour or incapacity after inquiry,— 

(a) in the case of the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal, made by a Judge of a High Court; 

(b) in the case of 5[the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal], made by a Judge of the Supreme 

Court, 

in which 6[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal] has been 

informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of these 

charges: 

7[Provided that the Central Government, during the pendency of the inquiry against the Presiding 

Officer or a Chairperson, as the case may be, may, after consulting the Chairperson of the Selection 

Committee constituted for selection of Presiding Officer or Chairperson, pass an order suspending the 

Presiding Officer or the Chairperson, if it is satisfied that he should cease to discharge his functions as a 

Presiding Officer or Chairperson, as the case may be.] 

(3) The Central Government may, by rules, regulate the procedure for the investigation of 

misbehaviour or incapacity of 8[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of an Appellate 

Tribunal]. 

 
1. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 2, for “the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
2. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “the said Presiding Officers shall be varied to their” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 

4 Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for “the said Presiding Officer” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
5. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the Presiding Officer of an Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
6. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for “the Presiding Officer concerned” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 

7. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 13 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 
8. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 7, for “the aforesaid Presiding Officer” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 



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1[15A. Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Chairperson.—Notwithstanding anything 

contained in this Act, the qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries and allowances, resignation, 

removal and the terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal appointed 

after the commencement of 2[the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, shall be governed by the provisions of 

Chapter II of the said Act]:  

Provided that the Chairperson appointed before the commencement of Part XIV of Chapter VI of the 

Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall continue to be governed by the provisions of this Act, and the rules 

made thereunder as if the provisions of section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017 had not come into force.] 

16. Orders constituting Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal to be final and not to invalidate its 

proceedings.—No order of the Central Government appointing any person as 3[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal 

or the Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal] shall be called in question in any manner, and no act or proceeding 

before a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal shall be called in question in any manner on the ground merely of any 

defect in the constitution of a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal. 

CHAPTER III 

JURISDICTION, POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF TRIBUNALS 

17. Jurisdiction, powers and authority of Tribunals.—(1) A Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the 

appointed day, the jurisdiction, powers and authority to entertain and decide applications from the banks and 

financial institutions for recovery of debts due to such banks and financial institutions. 

4[(1A) Without prejudice to sub-section (1),— 

(a) the Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the date to be appointed by the Central Government, the 

jurisdiction, powers and authority to entertain and decide applications under Part III of Insolvency and 

Bankruptcy Code, 2016. 

(b) the Tribunal shall have circuit sittings in all district headquarters.] 

(2) An Appellate Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the appointed day, the jurisdiction, powers and authority 

to entertain appeals against any order made, or deemed to have been made, by a Tribunal under this Act. 

 4[(2A) Without prejudice to sub-section (2), the Appellate Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the date to be 

appointed by the Central Government, the jurisdiction, powers and authority to entertain appeals against the order 

made by the Adjudicating Authority under Part III of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.] 

5[17A. Power of Chairperson of Appellate Tribunal.—(1) The Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal shall 

exercise general power of superintendence and control over the Tribunals under his jurisdiction including the power 

of appraising the work and recording the annual confidential reports of Presiding Officers. 

6[(1A) For the purpose of exercise of general powers of superintendence and control over Tribunals under          

sub-section (1), the Chairperson may— 

(i) direct the Tribunals to furnish, in such form, at such intervals and within such time, information relating 

to pending cases both under this Act and the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and 

Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (54 of 2002), or under any other law for the time being in force, 

number of cases disposed of, number of new cases filed and such other information as may be considered 

necessary by the Chairperson; 

(ii) convene meetings of the Presiding Officers of Tribunals periodically to review their performance.  

(1B) Where on assessment of the performance of any Presiding Officer of the Tribunal or otherwise, the 

Chairperson is of the opinion that an inquiry is required to be initiated against such Presiding Officer for 

misbehaviour or incapacity, he shall submit a report to the Central Government recommending action against such 

Presiding Officer, if any, under section 15, and for reasons to be recorded in writing for the same.] 

 
1. Ins. by Act 7 of 2017, s. 179 (w.e.f. 26-5-2017). 

2. Subs. by Act 33 of 2021, s. 18, for “Part XIV of Chapter VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the 

provisions of section 184 of that Act” (w.e.f. 4-4-2021). 
3. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 2, for “the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or an Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 

4. Ins. by Act 31 of 2016, s. 249 and Sch. V (w.e.f. 1-12-2019). 

5. Ins. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 8 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
6. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 31 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 



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(2) The Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal having jurisdiction over the Tribunals may, on the 

application of any of the parties or on his own motion after notice to the parties and after hearing them, 

transfer any case from one Tribunal for disposal to any other Tribunal.] 

18. Bar of jurisdiction.—On and from the appointed day, no court or other authority shall have, or 

be entitled to exercise, any jurisdiction, powers or authority (except the Supreme Court, and a High Court 

exercising jurisdiction under articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution) in relation to the matters specified 

in section 17: 
1[Provided that any proceedings in relation to the recovery of debts due to any multi-State                         

co-operative bank pending before the date of commencement of the Enforcement of Security Interest and 

Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 (1 of 2013) under the Multi-State Co-operative 

Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) shall be continued and nothing contained in this section shall, after such 

commencement, apply to such proceedings.] 

CHAPTER IV 

PROCEDURE OF TRIBUNALS 
2[19. Application to the Tribunal.—(1) Where a bank or a financial institution has to recover any 

debt from any person, it may make an application to the Tribunal within the local limits of whose 

jurisdiction— 
3[(a) the branch or any other office of the bank or financial institution is maintaining an account 

in which debt claimed is outstanding, for the time being; or] 
4[(aa)] the defendant, or each of the defendants where there are more than one, at the time of 

making the application, actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business, or personally works 

for gain; or 

(b) any of the defendants, where there are more than one, at the time of making the application, 

actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business, or personally works for gain; or 

(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises: 
5[Provided that the bank or financial institution may, with the permission of the Debts Recovery 

Tribunal, on an application made by it, withdraw the application, whether made before or after the 

Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2004 (30 of 2004) for 

the purpose of taking action under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and 

Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (54 of 2002), if no such action had been taken earlier under 

that Act: 

Provided further that any application made under the first proviso for seeking permission from the 

Debts Recovery Tribunal to withdraw the application made under sub-section (1) shall be dealt with by it 

as expeditiously as possible and disposed of within thirty days from the date of such application: 

Provided also that in case the Debts Recovery Tribunal refuses to grant permission for withdrawal of 

the application filed under this sub-section, it shall pass such orders after recording the reasons therefor.] 
6[(1A) Every bank being, multi-State co-operative bank referred to in sub-clause (vi) of clause (d) of 

section 2, may, at its option, opt to initiate proceedings under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 

2002 (39 of 2002) to recover debts, whether due before or after the date of commencement of the 

Enforcement of the Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 (1 of 2013) 

from any person instead of making an application under this Chapter. 

(1B) In case, a bank being, multi-State co-operative bank referred to in sub-clause (vi) of clause (d) of 

section 2 has filed an application under this Chapter and subsequently opts to withdraw the application for 

the purpose of initiating proceeding under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) 

to recover debts, it may do so with the permission of the Tribunal and every such application seeking 

permission from the Tribunal to withdraw the application made under sub-section (1A) shall be dealt with 

by it as expeditiously as possible and disposed of within thirty days from the date of such application: 

Provided that in case the Tribunal refuses to grant permission for withdrawal of the application filed 

under this sub-section, it shall pass such orders after recording the reasons therefor.] 

 
1. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 14 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 9, for s. 19 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
3. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32 (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

4. Cl. (a) renumbered as cl (aa) thereof by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

5. Ins. by Act 30 of 2004, s. 20 (w.e.f. 11-11-2004). 
6. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 15 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 



12 
 

(2) Where a bank or a financial institution, which has to recover its debt from any person, has filed an 

application to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) and against the same person another bank or financial 

institution also has claim to recover its debt, then, the later bank or financial institution may join the 

applicant bank or financial institution at any stage of the proceedings, before the final order is passed, by 

making an application to that Tribunal. 
1[(3) Every application under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be in such form, and shall be 

accompanied with true copies of all documents relied on in support of the claim along with such fee, as 

may be prescribed:] 

Provided that the fee may be prescribed having regard to the amount of debt to be recovered: 

Provided further that nothing contained in this sub-section relating to fee shall apply to cases 

transferred to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) of section 31. 
2[Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, documents includes statement of account or any 

entry in banker’s book duly certified under the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891 (18 of 1891).] 
2[(3A) Every applicant in the application filed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) for recovery of 

debt, shall— 

(a) state particulars of the debt secured by security interest over properties or assets belonging to 

any of the defendants and the estimated value of such securities; 

(b) if the estimated value of securities is not sufficient to satisfy the debt claimed, state particulars 

of any other properties or assets owned by any of the defendants, if any; and 

(c) if the estimated value of such other assets is not sufficient to recover the debt, seek an order 

directing the defendant to disclose to the Tribunal particulars of other properties or assets owned by 

the defendants.] 
3[ 4[(3B)] If any application filed before the Tribunal for recovery of any debt is settled prior to the 

commencement of the hearing before that Tribunal or at any stage of the proceedings before the final 

order is passed, the applicant may be granted refund to the fees paid by him at such rates as may be 

prescribed.] 
5[(4) On receipt of application under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the Tribunal shall issue 

summons with following directions to the defendant— 

(i) to show cause within thirty days of the service of summons as to why relief prayed for should 

not be granted; 

(ii) direct the defendant to disclose particulars of properties or assets other than properties and 

assets specified by the applicant under clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (3A); and 

(iii) to restrain the defendant from dealing with or disposing of such assets and properties 

disclosed under clause (c) of sub-section (3A) pending the hearing and disposal of the application for 

attachment of properties.] 
6[(4A) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 65A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882             

(4 of 1882), the defendant, on service of summons, shall not transfer by way of sale, lease or otherwise 

except in the ordinary course of his business any of the assets over which security interest is created and 

other properties and assets specified or disclosed under sub-section (3A), without the prior approval of the 

Tribunal: 

Provided that the Tribunal shall not grant such approval without giving notice to the applicant bank or 

financial institution to show cause as to why approval prayed for should not be granted: 

Provided further that defendant shall be liable to account for the sale proceeds realised by sale of 

secured assets in the ordinary course of business and deposit such sale proceeds in the account maintained 

with the bank or financial institution holding security interest over such assets.] 

7[(5) (i) the defendant shall within a period of thirty days from the date of service of summons, 

present a written statement of his defence including claim for set-off under sub-section (6) or a              

 
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

2. Ins. by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

3. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 15 (w.e.f. 15-5-2013). 

4. Sub-section (3A) renumbered as sub-section (3B) thereof by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32 (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

5.  Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 
6.  Ins. by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

7.   Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for sub-section (5) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 



13 
 

counter-claim under sub-section (8), if any, and such written statement shall be accompanied with original 

documents or true copies thereof with the leave of the Tribunal, relied on by the defendant in his defence: 

Provided that where the defendant fails to file the written statement within the said period of thirty 

days, the Presiding Officer may, in exceptional cases and in special circumstances to be recorded in 

writing, extend the said period by such further period not exceeding fifteen days to file the written 

statement of his defence; 

(ii) where the defendant makes a disclosure of any property or asset pursuant to orders passed by the 

Tribunal, the provisions of sub-section (4A) of this section shall apply to such property or asset; 

(iii) in case of non-compliance of any order made under clause (ii) of sub-section (4), the Presiding 

Officer may, by an order, direct that the person or officer who is in default, be detained in civil prison for 

a term not exceeding three months unless in the meantime the Presiding Officer directs his release: 

Provided that the Presiding Officer shall not pass an order under this clause without giving an 

opportunity of being heard to such person or officer. 

Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, the expression ‘officer who is in default’ shall mean 

such officer as defined in clause (60) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013).] 
1[(5A) On receipt of the written statement of defendant or on expiry of time granted by the Tribunal to 

file the written statement, the Tribunal shall fix a date of hearing for admission or denial of documents 

produced by the parties to the proceedings and also for continuation or vacation of the interim order 

passed under sub-section (4). 

(5B) Where a defendant makes an admission of the full or part of the amount of debt due to a bank or 

financial institution, the Tribunal shall order such defendant to pay the amount, to the extent of the 

admission within a period of thirty days from the date of such order failing which the Tribunal may issue 

a certificate in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (22) to the extent of the amount of debt due 

admitted by the defendant.] 

(6) Where the defendant claims to set-off against the applicant’s demand any ascertained sum of 

money legally recoverable by him from such applicant, the defendant may, at the first hearing of the 

application, but not afterwards unless permitted by the Tribunal, present a written statement containing 

the particulars of the debt 2[the debt sought to be set-off along with original documents and other 

evidence relied on in support of claim of set-off in relation to any ascertained sum of money, against the 

applicant]. 

(7) The written statement shall have the same effect as a plaint in a cross-suit so as to enable the 

Tribunal to pass a final order in respect both of the original claim and of the set-off. 

(8) A defendant in an application may, in addition to his right of pleading a set-off under                       

sub-section (6), set up, by way of counter-claim against the claim of the applicant, any right or claim in 

respect of a cause of action accruing to the defendant against the applicant either before or after the filing 

of the application but before the defendant has delivered his defence or before the time limited for 

delivering his defence has expired, whether such counter-claim is in the nature of a claim for damages or 

not. 

(9) A counter-claim under sub-section (8) shall have the same effect as a cross-suit so as to enable the 

Tribunal to pass a final order on the same application, both on the original claim and on the            

counter-claim. 

(10) The applicant shall be at liberty to file a written statement in answer to the counter-claim of the 

defendant within such period 3[as may be prescribed]. 

4[(10A) Every application under sub-section (3) or written statement of defendant under                       

sub-section (5) or claim of set-off under sub-section (6) or a counter-claim under sub-section (8) by the 

defendant, or written statement by the applicant in reply to the counter-claim, under sub-section (10) or 

any other pleading whatsoever, shall be supported by an affidavit sworn in by the applicant or defendant 

 
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32, for sub-section (5A) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

2. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for “the dept sought to be set-off” (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

3. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for “as may be fixed by the Tribunal” (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

4. Ins. by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 



14 
 

verifying all the facts and pleadings, the statements pleading documents and other documentary evidence 

annexed to the application or written statement or reply to set-off or counter-claim, as the case may be: 

Provided that if there is any evidence of witnesses to be led by any party, the affidavits of such 

witnesses shall be filed simultaneously by the party with the application or written statement or replies 

filed under sub-section (10A). 

(10B) If any of the facts or pleadings in the application or written statement are not verified in the 

manner provided under sub-section (10A), a party to the proceedings shall not be allowed to rely on such 

facts or pleadings as evidence or any of the matters set out therein.] 

1[(11) Where a defendant sets up a counter-claim in the written statement and in reply to such claim 

the applicant contends that the claim thereby raised ought not to be disposed of by way of counter-claim 

but in an independent action, the Tribunal shall decide such issue along with the claim of the applicant for 

recovery of the debt.] 

2*   *   *   *   * 

 (13)(A) Where, at any stage of the proceedings, 3[the Tribunal on an application made by the 

applicant along with particulars of property to be attached and estimated value thereof, or otherwise is 

satisfied], that the defendant, with intent to obstruct or delay or frustrate the execution of any order for the 

recovery of debt that may be passed against him,— 

(i) is about to dispose of the whole or any part of his property; or 

(ii) is about to remove the whole or any part of his property from the local limits of the 

jurisdiction of the Tribunal; or 

(iii) is likely to cause any damage or mischief to the property or affect its value by misuse or 

creating third party interest, 

the Tribunal may direct the defendant, within a time to be fixed by it, either to furnish security, in such 

sum as may be specified in the order, to produce and place at the disposal of the Tribunal, when required, 

the said property or the value of the same, or such portion thereof as may be sufficient to satisfy the 

certificate for the recovery of the debt, or to appear and show cause why he should not furnish security. 

(B) Where the defendant fails to show cause why he should not furnish security, or fails to furnish the 

security required, within the time fixed by the Tribunal, the Tribunal may order the attachment of the 

whole or such portion of the properties claimed by the applicant as the properties secured in his favour or 

otherwise owned by the defendant as appears sufficient to satisfy any certificate for the recovery of debt. 

4*   *   *   *   * 

(15) The Tribunal may also in the order direct the conditional attachment of the whole or any portion 

of the property specified under 5[sub-section (13)]. 

(16) If an order of attachment is made without complying with the provisions of sub-section (13), 

such attachment shall be void. 

(17) In the case of disobedience of an order made by the Tribunal under sub-sections (12), (13) and 

(18) or breach of any of the terms on which the order was made, the Tribunal may order the properties of 

the person guilty of such disobedience or breach to be attached and may also order such person to be 

detained in the civil prison for a term not exceeding three months, unless in the meantime the Tribunal 

directs his release. 

(18) Where it appears to the Tribunal to be just and convenient, the Tribunal may, by order— 

(a) appoint a receiver of any property, whether before or after grant of certificate for recovery of 

debt; 

(b) remove any person from the possession or custody of the property; 

 
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32, for sub-section (11) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 
2. Omitted by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

3. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for “the Tribunal is satisfied, by affidavit or otherwise” (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

4. Omitted by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

5. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for “sub-section (14)” (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 



15 
 

(c) commit the same to the possession, custody or management of the receiver; 

(d) confer upon the receiver all such powers, as to bringing and defending suits in the courts or 

filing and defending applications before the Tribunal and for the realisation, management, protection, 

preservation and improvement of the property, the collection of the rents and profits thereof, the 

application and disposal of such rents and profits, and the execution of documents as the owner 

himself has, or such of those powers as the Tribunal thinks fit; and 

(e) appoint a Commissioner for preparation of an inventory of the properties of the defendant or 

for the sale thereof. 
1[(19) Where a certificate of recovery is issued against a company as defined under the Companies 

Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) and such company is under liquidation, the Tribunal may by an order direct that 

the sale proceeds of secured assets of such company be distributed in the same manner as provided in 

section 326 of the Companies Act, 2013 or under any other law for the time being in force.] 
2[(20) The Tribunal may, after giving the applicant and the defendant, an opportunity of being heard, 

in respect of all claims, set-off or counter-claim, if any, and interest on such claims, within thirty days 

from the date of conclusion of the hearings, pass interim or final order as it deems fit which may include 

order for payment of interest from the date on which payment of the amount is found due up to the date of 

realisation or actual payment.] 
3[(20A) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that the claim of the applicant has been 

adjusted wholly or in part by any lawful agreement or compromise in writing and signed by the parties or 

where the defendant has repaid or agreed to repay the claim of the applicant, the Tribunal shall pass 

orders recording such agreement, compromise or satisfaction of the claim.] 
4[(20AA) While passing the final order under sub-section (20), the Tribunal shall clearly specify the 

assets of the borrower which security interest is created in favour of any bank or financial institution and 

direct the Recovery Officers to distribute the sale proceeds of such assets as provided in                              

sub-section (20AB). 

(20AB) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law for the time being in force, the 

proceeds from sale of secured assets shall be distributed in the following orders of priority, namely:— 

(i) the costs incurred for preservation and protection of secured assets, the costs of valuation, 

public notice for possession and auction and other expenses for sale of assets shall be paid in full; 

(ii) debts owed to the bank or financial institution. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, it is hereby clarified that on or after the 

commencement of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), in cases where insolvency 

and bankruptcy proceedings are pending in respect of secured assets of the borrower, the distribution of 

proceeds from the sale of secured assets shall be subject to the order of priority as provided in that Code.] 
5[(21) (i) The Tribunal shall send a copy of its final order and the recovery certificate, to the applicant 

and defendant. 

(ii) The applicant and the defendant may obtain copy of any order passed by the Tribunal on payment 

on such fee as may be prescribed.] 
6[(22) The Presiding Officer shall issue a certificate of recovery along with the final order, under           

sub-section (20), for payment of debt with interest under his signature to the Recovery Officer for 

recovery of the amount of debt specified in the certificate.] 
7[(22A) Any recovery certificate issued by the Presiding Officer under sub-section (22) shall be 

deemed to be decree or order of the Court for the purposes of initiation of winding up proceedings against 

a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) or Limited Liability Partnership 

registered under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009) or insolvency proceedings 

against any individual or partnership firm under any law for the time being in force, as the case may be.] 

 
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32, for sub-section (19) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

2. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for sub-section (20) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

3. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 15 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 

4. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32 (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

5. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for sub-section (21) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

6. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for sub-section (22) (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

7. Ins. by s. 32, ibid. (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 



16 
 

(23) Where the Tribunal, which has issued a certificate of recovery, is satisfied that the property is 

situated within the local limits of the jurisdiction of two or more Tribunals, it may send the copies of the 

certificate of recovery for execution to such other Tribunals where the property is situated: 

Provided that in a case where the Tribunal to which the certificate of recovery is sent for execution 

finds that it has no jurisdiction to comply with the certificate of recovery, it shall return the same to the 

Tribunal which has issued it. 

(24) The application made to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be dealt with 

by it as expeditiously as possible and 1[every effort shall be made by it to complete the proceedings in two 

hearings, and] to dispose of the application finally within one hundred and eighty days from the date of 

receipt of the application. 

(25) The Tribunal may made such orders and give such directions as may be necessary or expedient 

to give effect to its orders or to prevent abuse of its process or to secure the ends of justice.] 

2[19A. Filing of recovery applications, documents and written statements in electronic             

form.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, and without prejudice to the 

provisions contained in section 6 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000), the Central 

Government may by rules provide that from such date and before such Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal, 

as may be notified,— 

(a) application or written statement or any other pleadings and the documents to be annexed 

thereto required to be filed shall be submitted in the electronic form and authenticated with digital 

signature of the applicant, defendant or any other petitioner in such form and manner as may be 

prescribed; 

(b) any summons, notice or communication or intimation as may be required to be served or 

delivered under this Act, may be served or delivered by transmission of pleadings and documents by 

electronic form and authenticated in such manner as may be prescribed. 

(2) Any interim or final order passed by the Tribunal or Appellate Tribunal displayed on the website 

of such Tribunal or Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a public notice of such order and 

transmission of such order by electronic mail to the registered address of the parties to the proceeding 

shall be deemed to be served on such party. 

(3) The Central Government may by rules provide that the electronic form for the purpose specified 

in this section shall be exclusive, or in the alternative or in addition to the physical form, therefor. 

(4) The Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal notified under sub-section (1), for the purpose of adopting 

electronic filing, shall maintain its own website or common website with other Tribunals and Appellate 

Tribunal or such other universally accessible repositories of electronic information and ensure that all 

orders or directions issued by the Tribunal or Appellate Tribunal are displayed on the website of the 

Tribunal or Appellate Tribunal, in such manner as may be prescribed. 

Explanation.—For the purpose of this section,— 

(a) ‘digital signature’ means the digital signature as defined under clause (p) of section 2 of the 

Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000); 

(b) ‘electronic form’ with reference to an information or a document means the electronic form as 

defined under clause (r) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).] 

 *[19A. —The application made to Tribunal for exercising the powers of the Adjudicating Authority 

under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 shall be dealt with in the manner as provided under that 

Code.] 

 
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 32, for “endeavour shall be made by it” (w.e.f. 4-11-2016). 

2. Ins. by s. 33, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

*. Ins. by Act 31 of 2016, s. 249 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 1-12-2019 in so far as it relates to personal guarantors to corporate 

debtors). 



17 
 

20. Appeal to the Appellate Tribunal.—(1) Save as provided in sub-section (2), any person 

aggrieved by an order made, or deemed to have been made, by a Tribunal under this Act, may prefer an 

appeal to an Appellate Tribunal having jurisdiction in the matter. 

(2) No appeal shall lie to the Appellate Tribunal from an order made by a Tribunal with the consent of 

the parties. 

(3) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed within a period of 1[thirty days] from the date on 

which a copy of the order made, or deemed to have been made, by the Tribunal is received by him and it 

shall be in such form and be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed: 

Provided that the Appellate Tribunal may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of 
1[thirty days] if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period. 

(4) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1), 2[or under sub-section (1) of section 181 of the 

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016)] the Appellate Tribunal may, after giving the parties 

to the appeal, an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit, confirming, 

modifying or setting aside the order appealed against. 

(5) The Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order made by it to the parties to the appeal and 

to the concerned Tribunal. 

(6) The appeal filed before the Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (1) shall be dealt with by it as 

expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made by it to dispose of the appeal finally within six 

months from the date of receipt of the appeal. 

21. Deposit of amount of debt due, on filing appeal.—Where an appeal is preferred by any person 

from whom the amount of debt is due to a bank or a financial institution or a consortium of banks or 

financial institutions, such appeal shall not be entertained by the Appellate Tribunal unless such person 

has deposited with the Appellate Tribunal 3[fifty per cent.] of the amount of debt so due from him as 

determined by the Tribunal under section 19: 

Provided that the Appellate Tribunal may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, 4[reduce the amount 

to be deposited by such amount which shall not be less than twenty-five per cent. of the amount of such 

debt so due] to be deposited under this section. 

22. Procedure and powers of the Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal.—(1) The Tribunal and the 

Appellate Tribunal shall not be bound the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure,             

1908 (5 of 1908), but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to the other 

provisions of this Act and of any rules, the Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal shall have powers to 

regulate their own procedure including the places at which they shall have their sittings. 

(2) The Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging their 

functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 

1908 (5 of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; 

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; 

(c) receiving evidence on affidavits; 

(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; 

(e) reviewing its decisions; 

(f) dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex parte; 

(g) setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it        

ex parte; 

(h) any other matter which may be prescribed. 

 
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 34, for “forty-five days” (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

2. Ins. by Act 31 of 2016, s. 249 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 1-12-2019). 

3. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 35, for “seventy-five per cent.” (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

4. Subs. by s. 35, ibid., for “waive or reduce the amount” (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 



18 
 

(3) Any proceeding before the Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial 

proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196, of the Indian 

Penal Code (45 of 1860) and the Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for 

all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). 

1[(4) For the purpose of proof of any entry in the ‘bankers books’, the provisions of the Bankers’ 

Books Evidence Act, 1891 (18 of 1891) shall apply to all the proceedings before the Tribunal or 

Appellate Tribunal.] 

2[22A. Uniform procedure for conduct of proceedings.—The Central Government may, for the 

purpose of this Act, by rules, lay down uniform procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act for 

conducting the proceedings before the Tribunals and Appellate Tribunals.] 

23. Right to legal representation and Presenting Officers.—(1) A bank or a financial institution 

making an application to a Tribunal or an appeal to an Appellate Tribunal may authorise one or more 

legal practitioners or any of its officers to act as Presenting Officers and every person so authorised by it 

may present its case before the Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal. 

(2) The defendant may either appear in person or authorise one or more legal practitioners or any of 

his or its officers to present his or its case before the Tribunal or the Appellate Tribunal. 

24. Limitation.—The provisions of the Limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963), shall, as far as may be, 

apply to an application made to a Tribunal. 

CHAPTER V 

RECOVERY OF DEBT DETERMINED BY TRIBUNAL 

25. Modes of recovery of debts.—The Recovery Officer shall, on receipt of the copy of the 

certificate under sub-section (7) of section 19, proceed to recover the amount of debt specified in the 

certificate by one or more of the following modes, namely:— 

(a) attachment and sale of the movable or immovable property of the defendant; 

3[(aa) taking possession of property over which security interest is created or any other property 

of the defendant and appointing receiver for such property and to sell the same;] 

(b) arrest of the defendant and his detention in prison; 

(c) appointing a receiver for the management of the movable or immovable properties of the 

defendant; 

3[(d) any other mode of recovery as may be prescribed by the Central Government.] 

26. Validity of certificate and amendment thereof.—(1) It shall not be open to the defendant to 

dispute before the Recovery Officer the correctness of the amount specified in the certificate, and no 

objection to the certificate on any other ground shall also be entertained by the Recovery Officer. 

(2) Notwithstanding the issue of a certificate to a Recovery Officer, the Presiding Officer shall have 

power to withdraw the certificate or correct any clerical or arithmetical mistake in the certificate by 

sending intimation to the Recovery Officer. 

(3) The Presiding Officer shall intimate to the Recovery Officer any order withdrawing or cancelling 

a certificate or any correction made by him under sub-section (2). 

27. Stay of proceedings under certificate and amendment or withdrawal                              

thereof.—4[(1) Notwithstanding that a certificate has been issued to the Recovery Officer for the 

recovery of any amount, the Presiding Officer, may by an order, grant time for payment of the amount, 

provided the defendant makes a down payment of not less than twenty-five per cent. of the amount 

specified in the recovery certificate and gives an unconditional undertaking to pay the balance within a 

reasonable time, which is acceptable to the applicant bank or financial institution holding recovery 

certificate. 

(1A) The Recovery Officer shall, after receipt of the order passed under sub-section (1), stay the 

proceedings until the expiry of the time so granted. 

 
1. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 36 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

2. Ins. by s. 37, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

3. Ins. by s. 38, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

4. Subs. by s. 39, ibid., for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 



19 
 

(1B) Where defendant agrees to pay the amount specified in the Recovery Certificate and proceeding 

are stayed by the Recovery Officer, the defendant shall forfeit right to file appeal against the orders of the 

Tribunal. 

(1C) Where the defendant commits any default in payment of the amount under sub-section (1), the 

stay of recovery proceedings shall stand withdrawn and the Recovery Officer shall take steps for recovery 

of remaining amount of debt due and payable.] 

(2) Where a certificate for the recovery of amount has been issued, the Presiding Officer shall keep 

the Recovery Officer informed of any amount paid or time granted for payment, subsequent to the issue 

of such certificate to the Recovery Officer. 

(3) Where the order giving rise to a demand of amount for recovery of debt has been modified in 

appeal, and, as a consequence thereof the demand is reduced, the Presiding Officer shall stay the recovery 

of such part of the amount of the certificate as pertains to the said reduction for the period for which the 

appeal remains pending. 

(4) Where a certificate for the recovery of debt has been received by the Recovery Officer and 

subsequently the amount of the outstanding demands is reduced 1[or enhanced] as a result of an appeal, 

the Presiding Officer shall, when the order which was the subject matter of such appeal has become final 

and conclusive, amend the certificate or withdraw it, as the case may be. 

28. Other modes of recovery.—(1) Where a certificate has been issued to the Recovery Officer 

under sub-section (7) of section 19, the Recovery Officer may, without prejudice to the modes of recovery 

specified in section 25, recover the amount of debt by any one or more of the modes provided under this 

section. 

(2) If any amount is due from any person to the defendant, the Recovery Officer may require such 

person to deduct from the said amount, the amount of debt due from the defendant under this Act and 

such person shall comply with any such requisition and shall pay the sum so deducted to the credit of the 

Recovery Officer: 

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any part of the amount exempt from 

attachment in execution of a decree of a civil court under section 60 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 

(5 of 1908). 

(3) (i) The Recovery Officer may, at any time or from time to time, by notice in writing, require any 

person from whom money is due or may become due to the defendant or to any person who holds or may 

subsequently hold money for or on account of the defendant, to pay to the Recovery Officer either 

forthwith upon the money becoming due or being held or within the time specified in the notice (not 

being before the money becomes due or is held) so much of the money as is sufficient to pay the amount 

of debt due from the defendant or the whole of the money when it is equal to or less than that amount. 

(ii) A notice under this sub-section may be issued to any person who holds or may subsequently hold 

any money for or on account of the defendant jointly with any other person and for the purposes of this 

sub-section, the shares of the joint holders in such amount shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, 

to be equal. 

(iii) A copy of the notice shall be forwarded to the defendant at his last address known to the 

Recovery Officer and in the case of a joint account to all the joint holders at their last addresses known to 

the Recovery Officer. 

(iv) Save as otherwise provided in this sub-section, every person to whom a notice is issued under this 

sub-section shall be bound to comply with such notice, and, in particular, where any such notice is issued 

to a post office, bank, financial institution, or an insurer, it shall not be necessary for any pass book, 

deposit receipt, policy or any other document to be produced for the purpose of any entry, endorsement or 

the like to be made before the payment is made notwithstanding any rule, practice or requirement to the 

contrary. 

(v) Any claim respecting any property in relation to which a notice under this sub-section has been 

issued arising after the date of the notice shall be void as against any demand contained in the notice. 

 
1. Ins. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 10 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 



20 
 

(vi) Where a person to whom a notice under this sub-section is sent objects to it by a statement on 

oath that the sum demanded or the part thereof is not due to the defendant or that he does not hold any 

money for or on account of the defendant, then, nothing contained in this sub-section shall be deemed to 

require such person to pay any such sum or part thereof, as the case may be, but if it is discovered that 

such statement was false in any material particular, such person shall be personally liable to the Recovery 

Officer to the extent of his own liability to the defendant on the date of the notice, or to the extent of the 

defendant’s liability for any sum due under this Act, whichever is less. 

(vii) The Recovery Officer may, at any time or from time to time, amend or revoke any notice under 

this sub-section or extend the time for making any payment in pursuance of such notice. 

(viii) The Recovery Officer shall grant a receipt for any amount paid in compliance with a notice 

issued under this sub-section, and the person so paying shall be fully discharged from his liability to the 

defendant to the extent of the amount so paid. 

(ix) Any person discharging any liability to the defendant after the receipt of a notice under this       

sub-section shall be personally liable to the Recovery Officer to the extent of his own liability to the 

defendant so discharged or to the extent of the defendant’s liability for any debt due under this Act, 

whichever is less. 

(x) If the person to whom a notice under this sub-section is sent fails to make payment in pursuance 

thereof to the Recovery Officer, he shall be deemed to be a defendant in default in respect of the amount 

specified in the notice and further proceedings may be taken against him for the realisation of the amount 

as if it were a debt due from him, in the manner provided in sections 25, 26 and 27 and the notice shall 

have the same effect as an attachment of a debt by the Recovery Officer in exercise of his powers under 

section 25. 

(4) The Recovery Officer may apply to the court in whose custody there is money belonging to the 

defendant for payment to him of the entire amount of such money, or if it is more than the amount of debt 

due, an amount sufficient to discharge the amount of debt so due. 

1[(4A) The Recovery Officer may, by order, at any stage of the execution of the certificate of 

recovery, require any person, and in case of a company, any of its officers against whom or which the 

certificate of recovery is issued, to declare on affidavit the particulars of his or its assets.] 

(5) The Recovery Officer may recover any amount of debt due from the defendant by distraint and 

sale of his movable property in the manner laid down in the Third Schedule to the Income-tax Act, 1961 

(43 of 1961). 

29. Application of certain provisions of Income-tax Act.—The provisions of the Second and Third 

Schedules to the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) and the Income-tax (Certificate Proceedings) Rules, 

1962, as in force from time to time shall, as far as possible, apply with necessary modifications as if the 

said provisions and the rules referred to the amount of debt due under this Act instead of to the         

Income-tax: 

Provided that any reference under the said provisions and the rules to the “assessee” shall be 

construed as a reference to the defendant under this Act. 

2[30. Appeal against the order of Recovery Officer.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in 

section 29, any person aggrieved by an order of the Recovery Officer made under this Act may, within 

thirty days from the date on which a copy of the order is issued to him, prefer an appeal to the Tribunal. 

(2) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1), the Tribunal may, after giving an opportunity to the 

appellant to be heard, and after making such inquiry as it deems fit, confirm, modify or set aside the order 

made by the Recovery Officer in exercise of his powers under sections 25 to 28 (both inclusive).] 

3[30A. Deposit of amount of debt due for filing appeal against orders of the Recovery              

Officer.—Where an appeal is preferred against any order of the Recovery Officer, under section 30, by 

any person from whom the amount of debt is due to a bank or financial institution or consortium of banks 

or financial institutions, such appeal shall not be entertained by the Tribunal unless such person has 

deposited with the Tribunal fifty per cent. of the amount of debt due as determined by the Tribunal.] 

 
1. Ins. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 11 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
2. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for section 30 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
3. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 40 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 



21 
 

CHAPTER VI 

MISCELLANEOUS 

31. Transfer of pending cases.—(1) Every suit or other proceeding pending before any court 

immediately before the date of establishment of a Tribunal under this Act, being a suit or proceeding the 

cause of action whereon it is based is such that it would have been, if it had arisen after such 

establishment, within the jurisdiction of such Tribunal, shall stand transferred on that date to such 

Tribunal: 

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any appeal pending as aforesaid before any 

court: 

1[Provided further that any recovery proceedings in relation to the recovery of debts due to any      

multi-State co-operative bank pending before the date of commencement of the Enforcement of Security 

Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 (1 of 2013) under the Multi-State            

Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002), shall be continued and nothing contained in this section 

shall apply to such proceedings.] 

(2) Where any suit or other proceeding stands transferred from any court to a Tribunal under                

sub-section (1),— 

(a) the court shall, as soon as may be after such transfer, forward the records of such suit or other 

proceeding to the Tribunal; and 

(b) the Tribunal may, on receipt of such records, proceed to deal with such suit or other 

proceeding, so far as may be, in the same manner as in the case of an application made under           

section 19 from the stage which was reached before such transfer or from any earlier stage 2*** as the 

Tribunal may deed fit. 

3[31A. Power of Tribunal to issue certificate of recovery in case of decree or order.—(1) Where a 

decree or order was passed by any court before the commencement of the Recovery of Debts Due to 

Banks and Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act, 2000 (1 of 2000) and has not yet been executed, then, 

the decree-holder may apply to the Tribunal to pass an order for recovery of the amount. 

(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Tribunal may issue a certificate for 

recovery to a Recovery Officer. 

(3) On receipt of a certificate under sub-section (2), the Recovery Officer shall proceed to recover the 

amount as if it was a certificate in respect of a debt recoverable under this Act.] 

4[31B. Priority to secured creditors.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the 

time being in force, the rights of secured creditors to realise secured debts due and payable to them by 

sale of assets over which security interest is created, shall have priority and shall be paid in priority over 

all other debts and Government dues including revenues, taxes, cesses and rates due to the Central 

Government, State Government or local authority. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, it is hereby clarified that on or after the 

commencement of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), in cases where insolvency or 

bankruptcy proceedings are pending in respect of secured assets of the borrower, priority to secured 

creditors in payment of debt shall be subject to the provisions of that Code.] 

5[32. Chairperson, Presiding Officer and staff of Appellate Tribunal and Tribunal to be public 

servants.—The Chairperson of an Appellate Tribunal, the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal, the Recovery 

Officer and other officers and employees of an Appellate Tribunal and a Tribunal shall be deemed to be 

public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).] 

33. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall 

lie against the Central Government or against 6[the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or the Chairperson of 

 
1. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 16 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 
2. The words “de novo” omitted by Act 1 of 2000, s. 13 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
3. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
4. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 41 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

5. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 15, for section 32 (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 

6. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal or of an Appellate Tribunal” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 



22 
 

an Appellate Tribunal] or against the Recovery Officer for anything which is in good faith done or 

intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder. 

34. Act to have overriding effect.—(1) Save as provided under sub-section (2), the provisions of this 

Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the 

time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act. 

(2) The provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be in addition to, and not in 

derogation of, the Industrial Finance Corporation Act, 1948 (15 of 1948), the State Financial Corporations 

Act, 1951 (63 of 1951), the Unit Trust of India Act, 1963 (52 of 1963), the Industrial Reconstruction 

Bank of India Act, 1984 (62 of 1984), 1[, the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985      

(1 of 1986) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India Act, 1989 (39 of 1989)]. 

35. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 

this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette make such provisions, 

not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing 

the difficulty: 

Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of the period of three years from the date of 

commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before each 

House of Parliament. 

36. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules to carry 

out the provisions of this Act. 

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may, provide for all or any 

of the following matters, namely:— 

2[(a) other business or commercial rights of similar nature under clause (jb) of section 2;] 

3[(aa)] the salaries and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of 4[the 

Chairpersons, the Presiding Officers], Recovery Officers and other officers and employees of the 

Tribunal and the Appellate Tribunal under sections 7, 12 and 13; 

(b) the procedure for the investigation of misbehaviour or incapacity of 5[the Chairpersons of 

Appellate Tribunals and the Presiding Officers of the Tribunals], under sub-section (3) of section 15; 

(c) the form in which an application may be made under section 19, the documents and other 

evidence by which such application shall be accompanied and the fees payable in respect of the filing 

of such application; 

6[(ca) the form of application and the fee for filing application under sub-section (3) of                 

section 19;] 

7[(cc) the rate of fee to be refunded to the applicant under sub-section 8[(3B)] of section 19 of the 

Act;] 

6[(cca) the period for filing written statement under sub-section (10) of section 19; 

(ccb) the fee for obtaining copy of the order of the Tribunal under sub-section (21) of section 19;  

(ccc) the form and manner of authenticating digital signature under clause (a), and the manner of 

authenticating service or delivery of pleadings and documents under clause (b), of sub-section (1) of 

section 19A; 

 
1. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 16, for “and the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
2. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 42 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

3. Clause (a) numbered as clause (aa) thereof by s. 42, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

4. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 17, for “the Presiding Officers” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
5. Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for “the Presiding Officers of the Tribunals and Appellate Tribunals” (w.e.f. 17-1-2000). 
6. Ins. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 42 (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 

7. Ins. by Act 1 of 2013, s. 17 (w.e.f. 15-1-2013). 

8. Subs. by Act 44 of 2016, s. 42, for “(3A)” (w.e.f. 1-9-2016). 



23 
 

(ccd) the form and manner of filing application and other documents in the electronic form under 

sub-section (1) and manner of display of orders of the Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal under               

sub-section (4) of section 19A;] 

(d) the form in which an appeal may be filed before the Appellate Tribunal under section 20 and 

the fees payable in respect of such appeal; 

1[(da) the rules of uniform procedure for conducting the proceedings before the Tribunals and 

Appellate Tribunals under section 22A; 

(db) the other mode of recovery under clause (d) of  section 25;] 

(e) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed. 

1[(3) Every notification issued under sub-section (4) of section 1, section 3 and section 8 and every 

rule made by the Central Government under this Act, shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, 

before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be 

comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session 

immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any 

modification in the notification or rule or both Houses agree that the notification or rule should not be 

issued or made, the notification or rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no 

effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without 

prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that notification or rule.] 

37. Repeal and saving.—(1) The Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions 

Ordinance, 1993 (Ord. 25 of 1993) is hereby repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance, shall be 

deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1. Subs. by Act 1 of 2000, s. 17, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 17-1-2000).