Here's a rundown of a recent court case involving some auction sale drama. The Bombay High Court had to make a decision on a series of petitions related to an auction sale that got complicated due to the pandemic.
Back in March 2020, a public auction was held for a property under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act. Anil Keruji Jagtap and others were among the highest bidders. They managed to deposit 15% of the bid amount right away, as required by the rules.
Then COVID-19 hit, and things got complicated. Anil Keruji Jagtap and others couldn't deposit the remaining 85% of the amount on time because of the pandemic. They asked for more time, and the Special Recovery Officer agreed, letting them deposit the balance in May 2020. The sale was confirmed, and the sale deed was officially recorded by December 2020.
Sanjay Baban Hulawale, the borrower, wasn't happy and asked for a review, arguing that the auction sale was invalid because the rules weren't followed. The review authority agreed with Sanjay Baban Hulawale and canceled the sale confirmation in July 2021.
Anil Keruji Jagtap and others argued that the Supreme Court had given more time for legal actions because of the pandemic. They claimed this extra time should apply to their case, allowing their late payment.
Judge Amit Borkar ruled that Anil Keruji Jagtap and others were indeed protected by the Supreme Court's order. The timelines for paying the auction amount were part of the legal procedure, and the pandemic made it impossible to meet them. The court allowed the petitions, reinstating the sale confirmation.
In the end, the court sided with Anil Keruji Jagtap and others, acknowledging the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on legal proceedings. No costs were ordered, and the petitions were closed accordingly.
