Court Rejects Plea in MAT Agro Products Case Due to Digital Signature Irregularities
In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court, presided over by Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim, emphasized the mandatory compliance with the Electronic Filing Rules for Courts (Kerala), 2021. The court refused to entertain a plea by MAT Agro Products Pvt Ltd, whose petition was marred by procedural lapses concerning digital signatures.
The case revolved around MAT Agro Products Pvt Ltd's writ petition against the State Bank of India, seeking to unfreeze their PhonePe wallet linked to their bank account. However, the petition hit a roadblock when it was discovered that the signatures on the pleadings were copied and pasted, contravening the prescribed electronic filing procedures.
The court highlighted the necessity for pleadings and documents to be physically signed by the parties and their advocates before scanning and uploading, as outlined in Rule 6 of the Electronic Filing Rules. The court directed the Registry to ensure strict adherence to these rules, explicitly stating that documents with copied and pasted signatures would not be accepted.
Justice Hakhim also pointed out irregularities in the petition, noting the absence of a required application to implead the petitioner's local Station House Officer (SHO). The court ordered the Government Pleader to identify the local SHO for further proceedings.
Moreover, the court took note of the State Bank of India's counter affidavit, which flagged the petitioner's account as a "money mule" account due to suspicious transaction patterns. Despite the petitioner's counsel filing a Not-Press Memo to withdraw the petition, the court rejected it, citing procedural concerns and the need for further inquiry.
This judgment underscores the Kerala High Court's commitment to upholding digital integrity and procedural correctness in electronic filings, setting a precedent for future cases.
Bottom Line:
Compliance with Electronic Filing Rules for Courts (Kerala), 2021, is mandatory, especially regarding the physical signing of pleadings before scanning and uploading, in the absence of digital or electronic signatures.
Statutory provision(s): Electronic Filing Rules for Courts (Kerala), 2021, Rule 6; Information Technology Act, 2000, Sections 2(1)(p), 3; Article 225 of the Constitution of India.
MAT Agro Products Pvt Ltd v. Manager, State Bank of India, (Kerala) : Law Finder Doc id # 2855084
