A single bench of Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad of Patna High Court while disposing a batch of petition, has held that forceful seizure of vehicles from owner by recovery agents is illegal.

Justice said that it sheer violation of the fundamental right to life and livelihood as guaranteed under the constitution of India and such bullying actions attract lodging of FIRs.

The bench observed that vehicle loans should be recovered by following provisions of securitization that empowers banks and equivalent financial institutions to recover bad debts by acquiring physical possession of the mortgaged properties of defaulting borrowers with the aid of the district administration and getting them auctioned in order to enforce their security interest.

The court directed all police superintendents to ensure that no vehicle is seized by any recovery agent forcefully.