In an important pronouncement which would have serious impact in states having significant tribal population, the Apex Court has held that Banks can sell tribal land to non-tribal even if prohibited by state law. The Supreme Court in UCO Bank vs. Dipak Debbarma, has held that the provisions of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, which do not contain any embargo on the category of persons to whom mortgaged property can be sold by the bank for realisation of its dues that will prevail over the provisions contained in Section 187 of the Tripura Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960. The Court observed that the Parliamentary legislation being dominant, the provisions of Tripura Act which prohibits the bank from transferring the property which has been mortgaged by a member of a scheduled tribe to any person other than a member of a scheduled tribe, would be invalid. The Bench comprising Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice...