Aloke Pal v. US Bank, N.A.

I. Background

The following facts are drawn from Plaintiff Aloke Pal’s (“Plaintiff”) Complaint (“Compl.”) (Dkt. 1, Exhibit A). Pal purchased a Robalo Cayman 226 fishing boat (“Boat”) on August 23, 2018. Compl. at 2. Pal alleges that Defendant US Bank, N.A. (“Defendant” or “US Bank”) “purposefully and deceitfully” withheld a lien title for the Boat from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, rendering Pal unable to use the Boat in California. Id. at 2–3, 6. On October 30, 2021, US Bank allegedly unlawfully repossessed the Boat, later notifying Pal that the Boat would be sold. Id. at 6.

Plaintiff originally filed suit in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, on November 15, 2021. On August 2, 2022, Defendant removed the action to this Court, asserting diversity jurisdiction. (“Notice of Removal”) (Dkt. 1). Case 8:22-cv-01430-DOC-ADS Document Filed 09/13/ Page 2 of Page ID #:111

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL

Case No. SA CV 21-01644-DOC-ADS Date: September 13, 2022 Page

II. Legal Standard

“If at any time before final judgment it appears that the district court lacks…