Case Name: Indian Bank & Ors. vs. Chet Lal Mahto & Ors.
Petition: Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 20167/2025.
Origin: Impugned final judgment and order dated 05‑06‑2025 in LPA No. 387/2018 of the High Court of Jharkhand, Ranchi.
Court: Supreme Court of India.
Order Date: Hearing on 26‑05‑2026; order signed by Court Master Kapil Tandon on 01‑06‑2026 17:10:09 IST.
Period of Dispute: Not specified beyond the High Court order dated 05‑06‑2025.
Parties Involved
Petitioners: Indian Bank & Ors.
Respondents: Chet Lal Mahto & Ors. (referred to as contesting respondent No. 1).
Amicus Curiae: Siddharth Mittal, learned counsel.
Counsel for Petitioners: Mr. Brijesh Kumar Tamber, AOR Mr. Vinay Singh Bist.
Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Siddharth Mittal, AOR Mr. Abhijeet Varshney; Mr. Sumit Kumar Sharma; Mrs. Shilpa G Mittal; Mr. Sandeep Jindal, AOR Mr. Pramod Kumar Goel; Ms. Pratiksha Bharti; Ms. Akansha Bharti.
Issues / Allegations / Violations
The dispute arose from a claim for damages for a negligent act allegedly committed by Indian Bank.
The High Court had directed Indian Bank to deposit Rs 10,00,000 as damages and further allowed the respondent to approach a Civil Court for additional relief.
Petitioners challenged the High Court’s direction to permit a civil suit, arguing that the deposited amount should be deemed full settlement.
Findings & Observations
The Supreme Court observed that the deposited amount of Rs 10,00,000, together with accrued interest, is sufficient to satisfy all claims of the contesting respondent No. 1.
The Court considered the High Court’s further direction to enable the respondent to move the Civil Court as unnecessary in the facts and circumstances of the case.
Consequently, the earlier observation by the High Court was set aside.
Penalties / Settlements / Directions
The amount of Rs 10,00,000 deposited by Indian Bank shall be treated as a full and final settlement between the parties.
The Registry is directed to contact the contesting respondent No. 1 and transfer the amount, along with accrued interest, in his favour.
No additional monetary penalty or damages were imposed beyond the settled amount.
Corrective Actions & Future Obligations
The Registry must ensure the transfer of the settlement amount to the respondent.
No further civil proceedings against the respondent are to be pursued by the High Court’s earlier direction.
Final Ruling & Enforcement
The Special Leave Petition (C) No(s). 20167/2025 and any accompanying interlocutory applications are disposed of.
The settlement amount is deemed final; the High Court’s direction to allow a civil suit is nullified.
The Court recorded appreciation for the assistance rendered by amicus curiae Siddharth Mittal.
