Bollywood actor and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sunny Deol has responded to the recent controversy surrounding the withdrawal of the Bank of Baroda’s auction notice for his Juhu bungalow, known as ‘Sunny Villa. ‘ In a brief statement to the media, Sunny Deol addressed the matter as a personal issue, choosing not to delve into specifics.
“Personal Matters, ” Says Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol, who is renowned for his roles in Indian cinema and his political involvement, kept his comments succinct. He mentioned that the situation pertained to his personal matters and expressed reluctance to comment further. His cautious approach stems from the anticipation of potential misinterpretation of his words by the public.
The controversy began when the state-owned Bank of Baroda decided to auction Sunny Villa due to an outstanding loan amount of โน55. 99 crore, which was overdue since December 2022. The property in question is located in the affluent Juhu neighborhood of Mumbai.
However, just a day after the auction notice was made public, the bank took an unexpected step by withdrawing the notice, citing “technical reasons. ” This decision raised eyebrows and led to questions about the circumstances surrounding the loan and the subsequent auction notice.
Loan Borrower and Guarantors
The auction notice revealed that Sunny Deol was the primary borrower of the loan, while his brother Vijay Singh Deol (also known as Bobby Deol) and their father Dharmendra Deol were named as guarantors for the loan. Additionally, Sunny Sounds Pvt Ltd acted as the corporate guarantor for the mortgage.
In a formal statement, Bank of Baroda provided clarity on its decision to withdraw the auction notice. It cited two primary reasons for this action:
1. Lack of Specific Dues
The bank pointed out that the initial auction notice did not specify the exact amount of dues to be recovered from Sunny Deol. This lack of specificity may have contributed to the decision to withdraw the notice.
2. Symbolic Possession
The notice was based on the concept of “symbolic possession” of the property, in accordance with Rule 8(6) of The Security Interest (Enforcement) Rules 2002. However, the bank revealed that it had applied for physical possession of the property through the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on August 1, 2023, and was awaiting permission to proceed.
The Bank of Baroda also outlined its plan for the future. Once it obtains physical possession of the property, it will initiate sale proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the SARFAESI Act. This act governs the enforcement of security interests in movable and immovable properties.
Sunny Villa’s Legacy
‘Sunny Villa’ holds a significant place in the Deol family’s history, having been in their possession for five decades. It is not merely a residence but also houses the renowned ‘Sunny Super Sound’ recording studio, Sunny Deol’s office, a preview theater, and two post-production suites.
The controversy surrounding the auction notice for Sunny Deol’s ‘Sunny Villa’ remains a matter of public interest. Sunny Deol’s decision to categorize it as a personal matter underscores the sensitivity of the situation. The Bank of Baroda, meanwhile, has clarified its reasons for withdrawing the notice and outlined its future course of action in line with legal procedures.
