39 DRT Benches Across India — We Appear at Every One
India has 39 Debt Recovery Tribunals spread across 26 cities. Unified Chambers maintains appearance capability at all benches through a network of Senior Associates and Local Counsel, with Advocate Subodh Bajpai personally leading high-value and complex matters.
Above shows 12 major benches. The full list of 39 DRTs also includes benches at Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Nagpur, Ernakulam, Cuttack, Ranchi, and more. Contact us for representation at any bench not listed.
Why DRT Is the Superior Recovery Forum for Institutional Creditors
The Debt Recovery Tribunal was established specifically to give banks and financial institutions a fast, specialised forum for debt recovery — superseding the slow civil court mechanism for claims above Rs 20 lakhs. Here is why the DRT route consistently outperforms a civil suit.
DRT Original Application — Step by Step
From documentation audit to Recovery Certificate execution — a clear five-stage roadmap of how Unified Chambers conducts a DRT Original Application proceeding.
Documentation Audit
Systematic review of loan sanction letter, all disbursement records, security creation documents (mortgage/hypothecation), NPA classification certificate, demand notices under SARFAESI or otherwise, and CIBIL/credit bureau records. Limitation analysis is critical — OA must be filed within three years of NPA classification or last acknowledgement of liability.
Draft & File Original Application
The O.A. is filed under Section 19(1) of the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993. It includes a verified plaint, list of documents, affidavit of facts, and computation of claim (principal + interest + costs). Ad valorem court fee is paid. The correct DRT bench is chosen based on territorial jurisdiction — where the defendant resides, carries on business, or where the cause of action arose.
Section 19(7) Interim Attachment
Filed simultaneously or immediately after OA admission. The application seeks ex-parte attachment of debtor assets — bank accounts, fixed deposits, shares, immovable property — before the debtor has notice of the proceedings. This is the single most powerful tool in DRT litigation. A well-drafted Section 19(7) application, supported by evidence of asset dissipation risk, can freeze debtor assets within 24-48 hours of filing.
Trial Phase
Post-service of summons, the defendant files a written statement within 30 days. Evidence is led by way of affidavit — the applicant's evidence first, followed by the defendant's evidence. Cross-examination is conducted before the Presiding Officer or an authorised officer. After evidence, written arguments are submitted. The DRT Presiding Officer pronounces the order, typically within 180 days per the statute, though actual timelines vary.
Recovery Certificate & Execution
On pronouncing order in favour of the applicant, the DRT issues a Recovery Certificate (RC). The RC is sent to the Recovery Officer (RO) of the DRT, who has powers equivalent to a Civil Court in execution — attachment of movable and immovable property, arrest of judgment debtor, garnishee proceedings against third-party debtors. The RO can sell attached property by public auction. Sale proceeds are distributed in priority order.
DRAT Appeals — Protecting Your Position on Appeal
The Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) is the statutory appellate forum for all orders passed by the DRT under the RDDB Act. India has five DRAT benches — at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Allahabad — each overseeing the DRTs within its jurisdiction.
A critical statutory protection for creditors exists under Section 18 of the RDDB Act: any borrower or guarantor seeking to stay a Recovery Certificate during a DRAT appeal must first deposit 75% of the amount specified in the RC with the DRAT. This pre-deposit requirement effectively deters frivolous appeals and protects the creditor's recovery position.
Beyond the DRAT, a further appeal lies only to the High Court by way of writ petition (Article 226/227) on questions of law or jurisdictional error — there is no statutory second appeal. This makes it essential to build an airtight record at the DRT level itself. Unified Chambers approaches every DRT matter with the appellate record in mind from day one.
75% Pre-Deposit Requirement
Under Section 18, a borrower appealing a Recovery Certificate to DRAT must deposit 75% of the RC amount as a condition for any stay of execution. The DRAT may reduce this in exceptional circumstances, but the burden on the debtor is substantial, making DRT Recovery Certificates highly effective instruments of recovery.
Waiver Application Strategy
When debtors seek waiver of the 75% pre-deposit, creditors must vigorously oppose. Unified Chambers files detailed affidavits evidencing debtor solvency, asset holdings, and willful default history to resist waiver applications. Where waiver is partially granted, we negotiate enhanced security or conditions in lieu.
Creditor Appeals to DRAT
Creditors can also appeal adverse DRT orders to DRAT, for example where the DRT has dismissed the OA on technical grounds, reduced the interest rate, or refused Section 19(7) attachment. Unified Chambers has successfully reversed adverse DRT orders at multiple DRAT benches.
Section 19(7) Interim Attachment — The Creditor's Protective Shield
What is Section 19(7)?
Section 19(7) of the RDDB Act empowers the DRT to make an interim order including attachment of the defendant's property at any stage of the OA proceedings. It is the DRT equivalent of an ad-interim injunction, but far more powerful, resulting in actual attachment rather than merely prohibiting dealings.
Ex-Parte Application
The Section 19(7) application is typically filed ex-parte, without advance notice to the debtor. The DRT hears the creditor's counsel and, if satisfied that attachment is necessary to prevent frustration of the final order, issues an ex-parte attachment order. The debtor is served and heard on the continuation of attachment thereafter.
Assets That Can Be Attached
All movable and immovable assets of the defendant are attachable: bank accounts, fixed deposits, shares and securities, receivables, machinery, stock, land, and buildings. Attachment of bank accounts is particularly effective; once attached, no debits can be made without the Recovery Officer's permission.
Priority and SARFAESI Dual-Track
A Section 19(7) attachment order gives the creditor priority over unsecured creditors with respect to attached assets. When run alongside SARFAESI enforcement, the creditor simultaneously protects the security interest and the entire debtor estate, maximising recovery prospects.
Require urgent Section 19(7) attachment?
We file on same-day instructions. Contact us immediately to protect your recovery.
What Clients Say
“Advocate Bajpai secured an ex-parte attachment order within 48 hours of filing our OA. The speed and precision of Unified Chambers is unmatched in DRT practice.”
“We had written off this NPA as unrecoverable. Unified Chambers reversed the situation through a dual SARFAESI and IBC track. Recovery exceeded our expectations.”
“As an NRI, I needed someone who could handle the entire matter without my physical presence. Unified Chambers managed everything — DRT, DRAT, and High Court — flawlessly.”
DRT Lawyer — Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to File Your DRT Original Application?
Unified Chambers accepts DRT instructions for claims of Rs 50 lakhs and above from scheduled banks, NBFCs, ARCs, and financial institutions. Senior counsel involvement from day one. All 39 DRT benches covered. Contact us for a confidential assessment.