THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.27794 of 2009 ORDER: The 1st petitioner obtained loan of Rs.10 lakhs from the respondent-Bank, for the purpose of establishing a Nursing Home. She has mortgaged certain immovable properties, as a security for repayment. She states that the clinic ran properly for sometime, but thereafter, its functioning was affected, and that the same has resulted in default, in payment of instalments. Respondent filed O.A.No.136 of 2005 before the Debt Recovery Tribunal, Hyderabad, and the same resulted in an order, dated 09.11.2006, holding that the petitioners are liable to pay a sum of Rs.19,90,600/-. Proceedings under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, have also been initiated. In Recovery Petition No.61 of 2007, an order was passed on 01.09.2009, requiring the petitioners to pay a sum of Rs.29,20,121/-. The limited grievance, on account of which, the petitioners approached this Court is that, in spite of their repeated demands, the respondent has not furnished the statement of account, and accordingly, they seek directions. Heard Sri Jalli Kanakaiah, learned counsel for the petitioners, and Sri P.Badri Premnath, learned Standing Counsel for the respondent. The 1st petitioner availed the loan of Rs.10 lakhs, from the respondent, but committed default in repayment of the same. She claims to have paid substantial amount, and submits that, default came to be committed due to reasons beyond her control. On the application submitted by the petitioners for furnishing the details, the respondent issued a reply, dated 21.11.2009, stating that the petitioners have to approach the Debt Recovery Tribunal, to know the details. This is totally improper. It is the respondent that has initiated the proceedings for recovery. As a loanee, the 1st petitioner is entitled to demand the statement of account. Refusal to furnish the same would amount to an illegal practice and it may even warrant action by the Reserve Bank of India. Such a conduct would also make one to believe that proper account was not maintained and the respondent has furnished inflated figures. The mere fact that proceedings were initiated before DRT, does not make any difference, particularly when the petitioners submit that the proceedings are almost ex parte in nature. Hence, the Writ Petition is allowed, and the respondent is directed to furnish the statement of account to the petitioners within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till such time, the respondent shall not take any coercive steps against the petitioners to recover the amount due. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.31-12-2009. GJ