If you’re planning a DRT Delhi filing in 2025—whether to start a bank’s recovery case (Original Application, or OA) or to challenge SARFAESI measures (a Section 17 SARFAESI application, commonly called an SA)—you now do almost everything online through the e-DRT portal.
This guide breaks the process into clean steps: choosing the correct forum (OA vs SA), understanding which Delhi DRT has jurisdiction, preparing documents that pass scrutiny, navigating e-filing and e-payments, and calculating fees.
OA vs SA in DRT Delhi (2025)
| Aspect | OA (Original Application – RDBA s.19) | SA (Section 17 SARFAESI Application) |
| Who files | Banks, financial institutions, and ARCs | Borrowers, guarantors, lessees, or third parties aggrieved by SARFAESI measures |
| Trigger / When | Debt due is ₹20 lakhs or more; lender seeks recovery before DRT | Challenge to actions under SARFAESI s.13(4) (e.g., possession, receiver, sale/auction notice) |
| Purpose / Relief | Recovery certificate against borrowers/guarantors; executable before the Recovery Officer | Set aside/modify creditor’s SARFAESI measures; restoration of possession or other appropriate reliefs |
| Time limit to file | Not specified here | Within 45 days from receipt/knowledge of the s.13(4) action |
| Jurisdiction | Based on bank branch/borrower’s residence or place of business; file in the correct Delhi DRT bench (I/II/III) | DRT within whose local limits the secured asset is situated (Delhi DRT for assets in Delhi/NCR) |
Jurisdiction of Delhi DRTs in 2025
Jurisdiction is often the trickiest part of a DRT Delhi filing, and choosing the wrong bench can delay your case. Delhi has three Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT-I, DRT-II, and DRT-III), each with specific territorial coverage. The pecuniary jurisdiction is already set by law—cases below ₹20 lakh are not maintainable before DRTs—but within Delhi, the bench is decided by geography.
Territorial & Functional Jurisdiction: Delhi DRT Benches (2025)
| DRT Bench | Indicative Areas (examples) | Notes |
| DRT-I (Delhi) | Central & North Delhi: Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Civil Lines, nearby commercial zones | Typical coverage; always verify latest notified list before a DRT Delhi filing |
| DRT-II (Delhi) | South & South-West Delhi: Saket, Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, adjoining commercial hubs | Bench maps can change via Ministry of Finance notifications |
| DRT-III (Delhi) | East & North-East Delhi: Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi-linked Noida transactions, adjoining areas | Check current DRT/DoF site for precise allocation |
Exact territorial allocation is periodically notified by the Ministry of Finance; confirm the latest list on the DRT website before filing.
OA Jurisdiction (RDBA s.19)
| Basis | Rule | Practical Example |
| Bank Branch | File where the loan account is maintained | Loan a/c at Connaught Place branch → DRT-I Delhi |
| Borrower Location | File where borrower resides or carries on business | Borrower operates from Dwarka → typically DRT-II Delhi |
SA Jurisdiction (Section 17 SARFAESI Application)
| Asset Location | Where to File | Practical Example |
| Secured asset in Dwarka | DRT with local limits over the asset | Dwarka property → DRT-II Delhi |
| Secured asset in Laxmi Nagar | DRT with local limits over the asset | Laxmi Nagar property → DRT-III Delhi |
(For an SA, jurisdiction follows the asset’s location, not the borrower’s residence or bank branch.)
Why Jurisdiction Matters
Filing in the wrong bench can mean weeks of wasted time as your matter may get transferred. For borrowers under SARFAESI, delays are particularly risky because banks can proceed with auctions while jurisdictional objections are sorted out.
Step-by-Step Filing on the e-DRT Portal (2025)
Follow these practical steps to complete a DRT Delhi filing smoothly online.
- Register & log in
Create an external-user account on the e-DRT portal (lawyer or party-in-person). Registration enables e-filing, e-payments, certified-copy requests, and case tracking. If you need hands-on help, walk into the DRT e-Sewa Kendra; they guide litigants through registration and filing.
- Pick the correct case type & bench
Start a new filing and choose OA (Section 19 RDBA) or SA (Section 17 SARFAESI application), then select the appropriate Delhi DRT bench. The portal supports OA, SA, MA and IA e-filings end-to-end.
- Prepare, index & upload your paper-book
Keep OA Parts I–III (memo of parties, pleadings + affidavits, vakalatnama, list of documents) neatly paginated, indexed, and stitched; for SA, follow the same discipline with annexures. Upload PDFs with bookmarks; the system provides 100 MB in four blocks of 25 MB each, and even allows filing if you cannot upload every document at once. This discipline reduces scrutiny objections and speeds listing.
- Calculate & pay court fees online
The system auto-calculates the applicable court fee and then routes you to BharatKosh for payment—supported modes include Net-banking, cards, and UPI. Do not refresh during payment; on success, you’re returned to the portal. If money is debited but a number isn’t generated, contact the concerned DRT/DDO with your payment reference.
- Get your Diary Number & track status
On successful submission, you receive a Diary Number—use it to monitor listing, orders, and cause-lists via the Case Details search. You can also apply for certified copies online from the same interface. This tracking is crucial in any DRT Delhi filing to stay ahead of short timelines.
- Serve the respondent(s)
After filing, serve a copy of the application and paper-book on each respondent—by registered post—as mandated by the DRT Procedure Rules.
Time-bar tip for SAs: An SA (your Section 17 SARFAESI application) must be filed within 45 days from the impugned measure under Section 13(4); tribunals have repeatedly held they cannot extend this limitation. File early and track your Diary Number.
Documents Checklist for DRT Delhi Filing (2025)
When preparing for a DRT Delhi filing, the completeness of your documents often determines how quickly your matter gets listed. Both OAs (by banks) and SAs (by borrowers under Section 17 SARFAESI) have specific paper requirements. Missing annexures or improper indexing is one of the top reasons for scrutiny objections.
OA (Original Application — Section 19 RDBA)
| Document / Component | What to Include | Notes / Tips |
| Memo of Parties | Full names, addresses, contact details of applicants & respondents | Ensure spellings match loan files and KYC |
| Statement of Account | Certified under Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, signed by authorised officer | Include interest calculations and NPA date |
| Sanction Letters & Loan Documents | Sanction letters, facility agreements, renewals, addenda | Bookmark clauses on default/interest |
| Security Documents | Mortgage deeds, hypothecation agreements, guarantees, pledge docs | Attach registration/creation-of-charge proofs if any |
| Default/Recall Notices | Demand/recall notices with proof of service | Track dates to establish cause of action |
| Affidavit of Verification | Affidavit verifying pleadings & annexures | Affirmed by authorised bank officer |
| Vakalatnama / Authorisation | In favour of bank’s counsel | Enclose Board/POA resolution where required |
| List of Documents & Index | Paginated, stitched, bookmarked PDFs | Follow DRT file-naming conventions if prescribed |
SA (Section 17 SARFAESI Application)
| Document / Component | What to Include | Notes / Tips |
| Memo of Parties | Correct respondent array (bank, authorised officer, ARC if applicable) | Use AO’s designation and branch address |
| Impugned Notices | Possession/sale notices or any Section 13(4) measure | Attach photographs/panchanama if possession taken |
| Loan & Security Documents | Facility documents, mortgage/guarantee papers | Helps establish factual matrix for challenge |
| Grounds of Challenge | Illegality/non-compliance, valuation issues, procedural lapses; supported by affidavit | Tie each ground to a statutory breach |
| Evidence of Timely Filing | Proof of receipt/service date of the impugned action | Critical to satisfy the 45-day limit |
| Vakalatnama / Authorisation | Executed by borrower/guarantor in favour of counsel | If party-in-person, annex identity proof |
| Relief Sought | Quash/modify SARFAESI action, restoration, interim injunctions | Frame precise interim prayers for urgent listing |
Common Across OA & SA
| Requirement | What to Include | Notes / Tips |
| Court Fee | As per DRT Fee Rules; pay via BharatKosh | Save payment receipt for portal upload |
| Identity / Entity Proof | Aadhaar/PAN; CIN/incorporation docs for companies | Match addresses with memo of parties |
| Cover Page & Index | Correct bench, case type, advocate details | Add mobile/email for e-notifications |
| Service Affidavit | Proof of registered post / speed post to respondents | Keep tracking slips and acknowledgments handy |
Fee Structure for DRT Delhi Filing (2025)
| Application Type | Fee Calculation | Fee Amount |
| Original Application (OA) | Base ₹12,000 for debts up to ₹10 lakh; plus ₹1,000 per lakh (or part) beyond ₹10 lakh, capped at ₹1,50,000 total | Up to ₹10L: ₹12,000 → Above ₹10L: ₹12,000 + ₹1,000 per surplus lakh (max ₹1.5L) |
| Review Application (RA) | 50% of the OA fee paid | Half of the OA filing fee |
| Interlocutory Application (IA) | Flat fee | ₹10 (per the Procedure Rules) |
| Vakalatnama | Flat fee | ₹5 |
| Appeal against DRT Order (DRAT) | Scale based on amount in dispute | < ₹10L: ₹12,000; ₹10L–₹30L: ₹20,000; > ₹30L: ₹30,000 |
| Applicability to SA (Section 17 SARFAESI Application) | Advocate fee | SA advocacy fee: ₹10,000 for ≤ ₹10L, ₹15,000 for ≤ ₹50L, ₹20,000 for ≤ ₹1 crore, ₹25,000 for > ₹1 crore |
Notes for Clarity:
- The OA fee structure is framed by Rule 7 of the DRT (Procedure) Rules, 1993: ₹12,000 for up to ₹10 lakh; beyond that ₹1,000 per additional lakh, capped at ₹1.5 lakh.
- RAs, IAs, and Vakalatnamas carry token but mandatory fees—ensure you include these when filing.
- Appeals to DRAT see progressive fee slabs reflecting the amount in dispute.
Conclusion
Treat the tribunal like a specialist commercial forum: front-load your record, anchor every assertion to bank statements, notices, and valuation reports, and use clear, bookmarked PDFs so the court can reach the real dispute fast. If you’re resisting enforcement, a well-pled Section 17 SARFAESI application that pinpoints statutory non-compliance and evidences timelines often decides whether possession or sale proceeds. If you’re enforcing, show procedural fidelity and a defensible reserve price; it strengthens interim relief and settlement leverage.
On execution, discipline wins. Build a lean brief, file cleanly through the e-DRT portal, track the diary number daily, and prepare focused interim prayers tied to imminent risks (auctions, third-party rights, asset deterioration). Most importantly, align forum and relief to the business outcome you actually need—cash recovery, time protection, or a negotiated restructure. That strategic clarity is what turns a DRT Delhi filing into a result.
