Case Name: Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) Nos. 4926-4927/2020
Petitioners: A. Abdul Salam (deceased sole petitioner)
Respondents: M/S. SOUTH INDIAN BANK LTD & ORS.
Court: Supreme Court of India
Judges: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Kumar, Hon'ble Mr. Justice K. Vinod Chandran
IA No.: 99569/2021 – Application for Permission
Hearing Date: 29-05-2026
Related Prior Orders: Final judgment and order dated 01-10-2018 in WMP No. 22803/2017 and WP No. 21791/2017 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras
Parties Involved
Petitioner: A. Abdul Salam (deceased sole petitioner)
Respondents: South Indian Bank Ltd and other respondents
Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Babu Thomas K., Adv.; Mr. Wills Mathews, Adv.; Ms. Shivangi Ranjan, Adv.; Mr. Joby Augustine, Adv.; Mr. Dhanesh M Nair, Adv.; Mr. Rakesh Garg, Adv.; Mr. Ashish Gopal Garg, Adv.; Ms. Shweta Garg, AOR; Mr. A. Karthik, AOR; Ms. Smrithi Suresh, Adv.; Ms. Veera Mahuli, Adv.; Mr. Sugam Agrawal, Adv.; Ms. Nanditha S, Adv.; Mr. V. Chitambaresh, Sr. Adv.; Mr. Premachandran N.D., Adv.; Mr. Ramesh Babu M.R., AOR; Mr. Pranav P.P., Adv.; Mr. K. Radhakrishnan, Sr. Adv. (N/P); Mr. P. Venkat Reddy, Adv.; Mr. Prashant Kumar Tyagi, Adv.; Mr. P. Srinivas Reddy, Adv.; M/s. Venkat Palwai Law Associates, AOR
Issues / Allegations / Violations
Dispute regarding the rightful legal heirs/legal representatives of the deceased sole petitioner, A. Abdul Salam.
Findings & Observations
The Court observed that a genuine dispute exists concerning the legal heirs of the petitioner and therefore requires factual clarification.
Penalties / Settlements / Directions
The Court directed the learned District Judge, Kollam, Kerala, to conduct an enquiry into the status of the rival applicants under Order XXII Rule 5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
The District Judge is to submit a report as expeditiously as possible, preferably within three months from the date of the order.
Corrective Actions & Future Obligations
The report from the District Judge shall be filed with the Supreme Court.
The matter is to be re‑listed for hearing on 21‑09‑2026 or earlier if the report is received before that date.
Final Ruling & Enforcement
The order issued by the Supreme Court on 29‑05‑2026 mandates the enquiry and reporting requirement, with the next hearing scheduled as above. No monetary penalties or other sanctions were imposed at this stage.