(a) When applicable. Persons having claims against the petitioner may be joined as respondents and required to interplead when their claims are such that the petitioner is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability. It is not ground for objection to the joinder that the claims of the several claimants or the titles on which their claims depend do not have a common origin or are not identical but are adverse to and independent of one another, or that the petitioner avers no liability in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants. A respondent exposed to similar liability may obtain such interpleader by way of cross-claim or counterclaim. The provisions of this Rule supplement and do not in any way limit the joinder of parties permitted in Rule 20.

(b) Additional remedy. The remedy herein provided is in addition to and in no way supersedes or limits the remedy provided by the statute but actions thereunder shall be conducted in accordance with these Rules.