Banks can forfeit entire earnest money and not just extent of loss suffered by it due to auction purchaser’s default: SC
Any dilution of the forfeiture provided under Rule 9(5) of SARFAESI Rules would result in entire auction process under SARFAESI Act being disregarded by mischievous auction purchasers through sham bids, thereby undermining the overall object of the Act of promoting financial stability, reducing NPAs and fostering a more efficient and streamlined mechanism for recovery of bad debts.