The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003

(1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Tamil Nadu. (3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 9th day of June 2003.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (1) "daily vatti" means interest on daily basis which will work out to an interest rate more than that fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act; (2) "debtor" means a person who receives loan for exorbitant interest; (3) "exorbitant interest" means and includes daily vatti, hourly vatti, kandhu vatti, meter vatti and thandal; (4) "hourly vatti" means interest on hourly basis which will work out to an interest rate more than that fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act; (5) "kandhu tatti" means an interest which will work out to an interest rate more than that fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act; (6) "loan" means an advance of money for daily vatti, hourly vatti, kandhu vatti, meter vatti or thandal; (7) "meter vatti" means an interest which will work out to an interest rate more than that fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act, for every day on the loan amount not paid within the stipulated time; (8) "Money-lenders Act" means the Tamil Nadu Money-lenders Act, 1957; (9) "thandal" means interest which will work out to an interest rate more than that fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act, which is to be collected daily along with the part of the loan amount; (10) words and expressions used but not defined in this Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Money-lenders Act.

No person shall charge exorbitant interest on any loan advanced by him.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Money-lenders Act, whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 or molests or abets the molestation of any debtor for recovery of any loan shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and also with fine which may extend to Rs. 30,000.

(1) A debtor may deposit the money due in respect of loan received by him from any person together with interest at the rate fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act, into the Court, having jurisdiction, along with a petition to record that the amount deposited is in full or part, satisfaction of the loan including the Interest therefor, as the case may be. (2) The Court shall, on receipt of a petition under sub-section (1), refer a copy of the petition to the person mentioned in the petition, directing him to give his version of the case within a period of fifteen days as may be granted by the Court. The Court may, after due inquiry and after hearing the parties, pass orders.

The Court may, on filing a petition by the debtor, order the restoration of possession of property whether movable or immovable, if any, forcibly taken by any person towards repayment of the loan advanced or interest therefor.

The Court may, on a petition filed by the debtor for settlement of loan including the interest therefor, pass an order for the adjustment of the interest, if any, paid by the debtor, over and above the rate of interest fixed by the Government under section 7 of the Money-lenders Act, towards the loan.

Where a debtor or any member of his family commits suicide and if it is shown that immediately prior to such suicide, the debtor or any member of his family was subjected to molestation by any person, the person who has advanced loan shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have abetted the commission of such suicide. Explanation.- For the purpose of this section, "member of family" means the spouse, unmarried daughter or unmarried son.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the court fee payable in respect of a petition under this Act shall be rupees one hundred.

The provisions of section 12 of the Money-lenders Act shall not apply in respect of offences under this Act. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation to the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the Money-lenders Act, in so far as they are applicable to money-lenders shall mutatis mutandis apply to a person referred to in section 3 of this Act. Explanation.- Where an act of a person constitutes offences under this Act and under the Money-lenders Act, prosecution shall be launched under this Act.

(1) The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Ordinance, 2003 is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act.