Ranchi, July 17: In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and expediting the disposal of cases under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, the Jharkhand High Court has directed all District Magistrates (DMs) across the state to maintain separate registers for SARFAESI applications and make them accessible under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The Court directed the State Government to ensure compliance with the order within 15 days, while also instructing District Magistrates to dispose of all pending SARFAESI applications within the timelines prescribed by the Court. Districts with remaining pending matters have been asked to complete the exercise within three weeks.
The directions were issued while hearing a batch of writ petitions concerning delays in the processing and disposal of SARFAESI applications before District Magistrates.
Emphasising the need for greater accountability and transparency, the High Court ordered that “separate registers shall be maintained for applications filed under the SARFAESI Act” and that “the registers shall be made accessible under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.”
The Bench further directed that “the State shall ensure compliance with these directions within 15 days,” underscoring the need for prompt implementation of the new mechanism.
To address delays in adjudication, the Court also observed that “District Magistrates shall dispose of pending applications within the timelines fixed by the Court, with the remaining districts completing the exercise within three weeks.”
The ruling is expected to streamline the processing of SARFAESI applications, improve public access to records, and strengthen transparency in proceedings handled by District Magistrates across Jharkhand.
