Approval of Resolution Plan - SITI Broadband Services Pvt. Ltd.
- CitationI.A. (Plan) 1 (No) of 2025 in C.P. IB No. 685 (ND) of 2022
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The Adjudicating Authority's scrutiny of a resolution plan under Section 31 read with Section 30(2) is confined to whether the plan complies with the requirements of Section 30(2) and the Code, namely the payment of insolvency resolution process costs in priority, the manner of repayment of operational creditors, the management of the corporate debtor, the implementation and supervision of the plan, compliance with any law for the time being in force, and such other requirements as the Board may specify; it does not extend to evaluating the commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors, which is binding where it is consistent with the Code. Reliefs, concessions and waivers sought in a resolution plan that fall within the public law domain outside the Code cannot be granted by the Adjudicating Authority through the resolution process; the Successful Resolution Applicant must seek such relief from the competent forum under the relevant law.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL NEW DELHI BENCH COURT-IV I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) OF 2025 IN C.P. IB NO. 685 (ND) OF 2022 IN THE MATTER OF: HARVINDER SINGH RESOLUTION PROFESSIONAL, SITI BROADBAND SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED …Applicant Versus COMMITTEE OF CREDITORS, SITI BROADBAND SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED … Pro Forma Respondent AND IN THE MATTER OF: ADITYA BIRLA FINANCE LIMITED …Financial Creditor Versus SITI BROADBAND SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED … Corporate Debtor Order Delivered on: 01.06.2026 CORAM: SHRI MANNI SANKARIAH SHANMUGA SUNDARAM HON’BLE MEMBER (JUDICIAL) SHRI ATUL CHATURVEDI HON’BLE MEMBER (TECHNICAL) PRESENT: For the RP : Mr. Abhishek Anand, Mr. Karan Kohli, Ms. Palak Kalra, Ms. Vanshika Agrawal, Advocates. For the CoC : Mr. Saurabh Kalia, Mr. S. Shishir, Ms. Debarshi Dutta, Mr. Shivam Tiwari, Advocates.
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 Date of Order: 01.06.2026
ORDER PER: BENCH 1. The present Application has been filed by Mr. Harvinder Singh, Resolution Professional (RP) of Siti Broadband Services Private Limited (‘Corporate Debtor’) under the provisions of Section 30(6) read with Section 31(1) of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (‘the Code’) read with Regulation 39(4) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016 (‘Regulations’) for approval of the Resolution Plan in respect of Siti Broadband Services Private Limited seeking approval the Resolution Plan dated 22.11.2024 read with Addendum dated 10.12.2024 submitted by Cyfuture India Private Limited (“Successful Resolution Applicant/SRA”) and as approved unanimously by the Committee of Creditors in its 19th CoC meeting convened on 20.12.2024 and voting concluded on 23.12.2024. 2. DETAILS OF THE CIRP: i. This Adjudicating Authority vide order date 31.10.2023 admitted the Application bearing CP(IB) No. 685/ND/ 2022 filed by Financial Creditor, Aditya Birla Finance Private, U/s 7 of the Code for initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (“CIRP”) and appointed Mr. Harvinder Singh as the Interim Resolution Professional ("IRP"). ii.
On 05.11.2023, in terms of Regulation 6(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016 ("CIRP Regulations"), the IRP herein made a public announcement in FORM A. iii. The Directors (Powers Suspended) filed an appeal against the CIRP commencement order dated 31.10.2023 before the Hon'ble NCLAT, pursuant to which on 10.11.2023, Hon'ble NCLAT passed an order directing a stay on I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 constitution of COC. The said stay on constitution of CoC was subsequently vacated vide order dated 20.12.2023. iv. On 02.01.2024, the IRP constituted Committee of Creditors excluding the 40 days' time period exhausted in litigation. v. The Applicant herein had received one claim from the Financial Creditor namely Aditya Birla Finance Limited, 2 claims from Operational Creditor (Other than workmen and employee) namely Bharti Airtel Limited, Gigatel Solutions Pvt Ltd and two claims from other Operation Creditors (Workmen and Employee) namely Vitin Mavi and Kapil Tyagi. The Applicant verified and admitted the claims of the above claimants based on the documents provided and thereby constituted the Committee of Creditors. vi.
On 09.01.2024, the IRP convened the 1st CoC meeting. The IRP also filed the Exclusion Application bearing IA 432/2024 which was allowed by the Adjudicating Authority on 22.07.2024. In the 1st CoC meeting, the CoC members having 100% voting share, also resolved to appoint Mr. Harvinder Singh, Interim Resolution Professional as the Resolution Professional. However, in the disclosure made to the IBBI, the date of the ratification of IRP to RP has been mentioned as 11.01.2024. vii. The Applicant convened the 2nd CoC meeting on 24.01.2024, wherein more claims were received, verified and admitted by the Applicant based on the documents provided along with the claims. The Applicant appointed two registered valuers to determine the fair value and the liquidation value of the Corporate Debtor in accordance with Regulation 35 of IBBI (CIRP) Regulations, 2016. viii. The Applicant convened the 3rd CoC meeting on 05.02.2024, where in compliance of Regulation 36A of the CIRP Regulations, the CoC approved the agenda for publishing the invitation of expression of interest in Form G for inviting Strategic Investors/ Prospective Applicants to maximise the value of I.A.
(PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 the company and to get better Resolution Plans. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 25(2)(h) of Code, the eligibility criteria as tabled in Agenda No. 3.08 was approved by the CoC. ix. Pursuant to the 4th Meeting of the CoC, the Applicant herein proceeded to publish Form- G on 23.02.2024. x. The Applicant convened the 5th CoC meeting, wherein it was apprised to the members that one of the interested PRA has also expressed his interest to submit the Expression of Interest via email dated 22.02.2024 and requested to extend the timeline for submission of EOI. Accordingly, the matter regarding extension of the timeline for submission of Expression of Interest and to publish Corrigendum under Form G was approved by the COC. xi. In the 6th COC meeting which was convened on 21.03.2024 by the Applicant, the Agenda regarding Evaluation Matrix and RFRP was approved by the CoC with 100% voting share. The agenda for various payments made by the Applicant till 1st CoC meeting were approved by the COC members with 100% voting share. xii. The Resolution Professional accordingly filed an application bearing IA/2992/ND/2024 before the Adjudicating Authority on 04.06.2024 seeking Extension of the CIRP Period by 90 days beyond 180 days and vide order dated 22.07.2024, the Adjudicating Authority was granted extension for a period of 90 days w.e.f. 07.06.2024. xiii.
The Applicant convened the 10th CoC meeting on 03.07.2024 and informed the CoC members that the claim amounts received from various Operational Creditors would be admitted subject to reconciliation with the Corporate Debtor's books of accounts. Until such reconciliation is completed, the claims will remain under verification. It was further apprised by the Applicant that claim of Department of Telecommunication has been reconciled and all others remained unverified. In the said meeting, the CoC members passed the I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022
Resolution for extension of timeline for submission of the Resolution Plans with 100% voting share. Further, the CoC members after deliberate discussion passed the Resolution of increasing fees of Statutory Auditor amounting to Rs. 1,50,000/- plus GST for the FY 2023-24 in the matter of Siti Broadband Services Private Limited. xiv. Thereafter, the Applicant herein called and convened the 11th CoC meeting on 10.07.24, wherein he apprised the CoC members regarding the compliance under Regulation 35(1) of the IBBI (CIRP) Regulations, 2016 according to which, the Resolution Professional is required to facilitate a meeting inviting registered valuers who shall explain the methodology being adopted to arrive at valuation to the members of CoC. Accordingly, valuers were allowed to enter the meeting and further, they explained the methodology to CoC as provided under the said Regulation. The valuation summary is as follows:
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 xv. The Applicant in the 12th Meeting of CoC held on 18.07.2024, the Resolution Professional apprised the CoC of the fact that he had received requests from the Prospective Resolution Applicants (“PRAs”) to extend the last date for submission of Resolution Plan. Hence, the agenda for approving the extension of last date of submission of Resolution Plan was put forth before the CoC which was duly approved by the CoC with the requisite voting share. xvi. Further, as on the last date of submission of Resolution Plans i.e. 18.07.2024, two Resolution Plans were received from PRAs namely Cyfuture India Private Limited and Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Pvt. Ltd. and thus, in the 13th Meeting of CoC convened on 23.07.2024, the Plans were opened in the presence of members of CoC for their kind perusal and consideration. xvii. The Resolution Professional has received claims from One Financial Creditor and five Operational Creditors of the Corporate Debtor after issuance of Request for Resolution Plan. The Resolution Professional, on receipt of the claims, began with the process of verification of claims and additional documents, wherever required, have been asked for. The response to the above delayed submissions was provided only by two claimants. Therefore, due to non-compliance of the regulation, the claims remained inadmissible. xviii. The Resolution Professional called for the 14th meeting of CoC on 26.08.2024 wherein, the Resolution Professional apprised the CoC about the details of the claims received which were duly noted by CoC. That in compliance of the IBBI (CIRP) Regulations, 2016, the Resolution Professional placed the claims before the CoC in the said meeting. The CoC is of the view that if the claims received are accompanied with the sufficient documents for acceptance of the claim by the Resolution Professional, then the Resolution Professional should proceed accordingly. Further, the Resolution Professional was asked to verify the claims meticulously and update the CoC with the status of the same. The agenda for extension of 60 days of CIRP beyond 270 days and to authorize the I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022
Resolution Professional to move an Application before the Adjudicating Authority was approved by the CoC pursuant to which an application bearing IA/4718/ND/2024 was filed. Vide order dated 30.09.2024, the Adjudicating Authority was granted extension for a period of 60 days w.e.f. 04.09.2024. xix. The Resolution Professional, called for the 15th meeting of CoC on 10.10.2024 wherein, he apprised the CoC that the Resolution Professional had undertaken a detailed examination of all the Resolution Plans submitted pursuant to Section 30(1) of the Code, ensuring compliance with Section 30(2) of the Code. The Resolution Professional further informed the CoC that all findings and deficiencies identified in the Resolution Plans were duly communicated to the respective PRAs, and upon rectification, the eligibility of the PRAs was confirmed by CLA Global Indus Value Consulting, in accordance with Section 29A of the Code. The Resolution Professional also coordinated the resolution of queries raised by the consulting firm regarding the documents submitted by the PRAs. Subsequently, the CoC deliberated on and approved the negotiation process, wherein the Resolution Applicant who submitted the highest bid was designated as the "Highest Bidder," with the other Resolution Applicants identified as "Challengers." The Resolution Professional was responsible for managing the challenge mechanism, ensuring that all authorized representatives of the PRAS submitted proof of their authority to increase the bid amounts. Any offers made during the course of the meeting were immediately binding upon the respective Resolution Applicants. The minimum incremental bid amount was set at Rs. 10 lakhs, with successive rounds permitted to maximize value. The Resolution Professional was further directed to communicate the finalized negotiation process to all the PRAS and collect the necessary authority letters from their representatives, while ensuring that only the final offers made during the meeting would be considered by the CoC. It was clarified that this negotiation
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 process applied exclusively for the acquisition of Corporate Debtor, excluding any personal guarantees. The CoC duly noted the proceedings. The CoC also ratified the expenses to be paid to the resolution professional amounting to Rs. 2,17,215/-. xx. The 16th CoC meeting was called and convened on 24.10.2024 (Day 1) and concluded on 28.10.2024 (Day 2), wherein, the compliant plans of M/ s Cyfuture India Private Limited and Subhlaxmi Investments Advisory Pvt. Ltd. were then presented for CoC consideration and negotiation. The Negotiation process started at Day 1, 24.10.2024 with the RA Cyfuture India Private Limited. Thereafter, Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Private Limited Representative Mr. Nitin Jain was called by the members to join the meeting virtually for negotiation. The CoC duly noted these developments and resolved to continue negotiations. Furthermore, the Resolution Professional apprised the CoC that two Resolution Plans were received from the PRAs and the same had been opened in the CoC meeting dated 23.07.2024. Further, the Resolution Professional required time to clarify and clear several queries from the PRAs with respect to the Resolution Plans and complete verifications and observations of the proposed plans in compliance to the eligibility criteria enshrined in the provisions of Section 29A of the Code. xxi. In addition, the Resolution Professional informed the CoC regarding the expiry of the 330 days of CIRP on 04.11.2024 and pursuant to the CoC’s approval filed an application bearing IA No. 5409 of 2024 seeking extension of CIRP period by further 60 days beyond 330 days w.e.f. 04.11.2024 which was allowed vide order dated 6.12.2024. xxii. Thereafter, the 17th CoC meeting was convened on 25.11.2024 wherein, inter-alia, the Resolution Professional informed the CoC that Siti Networks Limited, the holding company of the Corporate Debtor, has submitted a claim for CIRP costs. The total costs for the 11 months ending 30.09.2024 amounted to INR
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1,67,31,935, with INR 63,70,563 due from Siti Networks and INR 1,03,61,373 from Siti Broadband. After discussion, Mr. Rishi Aggarwal (Aditya Birla Finance Limited) noted that no agreements justify the claim but suggested a payment of up to INR 19 Lakhs, given that the holding company is also under CIRP. He recommended the RP to do the needful as per the approval. Additionally, the Cybix Technical Services representative inquired about pending payments, to which the RP requested that invoices be emailed for further updates. Moreover, the queries regarding 29A eligibility of one RA, Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Private limited were raised, to which the Applicant said he is under the process of resolving them and will share the revised Resolution Plan of Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Private limited, once the queries are resolved. xxiii. The 18th CoC meeting was called and convened on 30.11.2024 wherein, inter-alia, the RP informed the Committee that 2 Resolution Plans from the PRAs were received before the last date of receipt of resolution plans and the same had been opened in the COC meeting dated 23.07.2024. The Chairman had further apprised that the modified resolution Plans had been received from both the PRAs Cyfuture India Private Limited and Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Private Limited on 22 2024 in password protected attachments and sealed envelopes. PRAs briefed their financial proposal. The RP on the request of PRAs, read the financial terms from the hard copy of modified resolution plans submitted in the sealed envelope to confirm the same. Representative of Aditya Birla Finance Limited requested to finalize the process at the earliest. After discussions, RP replied that he will share the modified resolution plans with the COC members in the next 3-4 days. xxiv. The Applicant conducted the 19th CoC meeting on 20.12.2024 wherein, the copy of modified Resolution Plans along with Addendums and the details of PUFE transactions, were shared through email, with the COC members. The I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022
Applicant informed that Directors (powers suspended) and Operational Creditors (COC participants) were asked to submit confidentiality undertakings to receive relevant extracts of modified resolution plans. Despite this, some Operational Creditors appeared to have obtained complete copies of the plans, as indicated by their observations shared on 20.12.2024. The RP sought clarification on the source of these copies, but no responses were received. Both the Resolution Plans were considered and discussed, in furtherance of the same, the Resolution Plans were put up for e-voting on 22.12.2024. Further, the Applicant informed the CoC that if the Resolution Plans received are rejected, then the members of the CoC should discuss the matter of initiation of the process of liquidation of the Corporate Debtor. xxv. Both the PRAs submitted their revised and final Resolution Plan before the CoC members, after due discussion and deliberation upon the said matter it was decided that both the Resolution Plan submitted by Cyfuture India Private Limited and Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Private Limited shall be put to e-voting. xxvi.
Certain objections and queries raised by the Applicant regarding the Resolution Plan submitted by M/ s Subhlaxmi Investment Advisory Private Limited were duly addressed by the Prospective Resolution Applicant (PRA) via email dated 19.12.2024. However, due to an inadvertent oversight on the part of the Applicant, the said responses were not presented before the members during the 19th meeting of the Committee of Creditors (CoC). Subsequently, the Applicant, acknowledging the oversight, shared the aforementioned responses with the Financial Creditor (FC) via email dated 22.12.2024. xxvii. Pursuant to a detailed examination of the PRA's reply, the Financial Creditor requested the Applicant to extend the deadline for voting on the Resolution Plans on 23.12.2024. In deference to this request and to facilitate a I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 comprehensive review of the PRA's reply and to enable the Financial Creditor to obtain necessary approvals from its higher authorities, the voting deadline was duly extended to 6:00 PM by the Applicant. xxviii. Further in the 19th CoC meeting, the Directors of the Corporate Debtor apprised the members that in their view, the Resolution Plan submitted by Subhlaxmi seemed more favourable for the employees as it has proposed to allocate 10% equity to Siti Networks Limited in-lieu of Services and facilities being provided by Siti Networks Limited to Corporate Debtor for continuation of the business as a going concern in the interest of the Corporate Debtor.
Since the business operations of Corporate Debtor is largely dependent on Siti Networks Limited in terms of infrastructure, facilities and support, therefore, the Resolution Plan of Subhlaxmi is more practical for survival and growth of CD. The Resolution Professional (RP) received similar observations from certain Operational Creditors (OCs), including employees, which were forwarded to the Financial Creditor (FC) on 20.12.2024. While, the OCs had the complete Resolution Plan, the Applicant herein had only shared relevant extracts, emphasizing that full access is restricted to CoC members under IBC confidentiality norms. The Applicant inquired whether the directors (with suspended powers) had shared the Plans, as they were only shared with the FC and those directors. The directors denied sharing the Plans. xxix. After the conduction of the above CoC meeting, the E-voting was concluded on 23.12.2024 wherein the CoC passed the Resolution and approved the Resolution Plan submitted by Cyfuture India Private Limited by 100% voting share. xxx. The Financial Creditor along with approving the Agenda No. 19.06 Resolution (lA) regarding the Resolution Plan of Cyfuture India Private Limited inadvertently approved all the Agenda No. 19.10 of liquidation and onwards.
However, vide an email dated 24.12.2024 the above error was corrected and I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 clarified by the FC stating that the CoC accepted the Resolution Plan of Cyfuture India Private Limited and liquidation agendas 19.10 and onwards were thereby rejected. 3. DETAILS OF THE RESOLUTION APPLICANT AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE: i. Cyfuture India Private Limited ('CIPL/Cyfuture/RA') is a Company registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 having CIN U72200RJ2001PTC017138 is involved in software publishing, consultancy and supply. ii. The total Plan value is 7,11,68,000/- (Rs. Seven Crores, Eleven Lakhs and Sixty Eight Thousand only). iii. Clause 1 of addendum dated 10.12.2024 to modified resolution plan provides: “Payment of Insolvency Resolution Process Cost (IRPC) Resolution Applicant hereby clarify that “In case the insolvency resolution process cost is not met out from the cash and bank balance available with the CD or the cash and bank balance is insufficient to meet out the entire IRP cost, then the resolution applicant proposes to provide for payment of IRP cost, subject to maximum amount of INR 15.00 Lakhs, in addition to the amount proposed to be paid to creditors and IBBI fee as indicated in the table above.
Further the CIRP cost shall be paid in priority to other creditors to whom payments has been proposed under the resolution plan in compliance to Section 30(2)(a) of the Code.”
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 iv. The Resolution Applicant has proposed to pay and settle various claims as a part of the Resolution Plan, in the following manner:
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 v. In addition, the Plan further proposes fund infusion of INR 100.00 Lakhs towards working capital requirements of the CD during the next four years after the closing date i.e. post-acquisition of SBSPL by RA.
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4. EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT AND PERFORMANCE SECURITY:
5. SOURCE OF FUNDS:
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6. DETAILS ON TERM, MANAGEMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE RESOLUTION PLAN:
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7. Steps to be taken by the concerned parties post approval of resolution plan by the Adjudicating Authority:
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8. The time frame proposed for obtaining relevant approvals is as under:
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9. The following has been submitted in the Form H:
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10. NECESSARY COMPLIANCES AS PER THE CODE AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER:
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11. PUFE (PREFERENTIAL, UNDERVALUED, FRAUDULENT AND EXTORTIONATE) TRANSACTIONS: i. The Resolution Professional, in Form H has provided the details of PUFE applications, as reproduced hereunder:
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 ii. The Resolution Applicant has provided the details of how PUFE transactions will be treated as per the plan:
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12. RELIEFS, CONCESSIONS AND WAIVERS: i. As to all the waivers sought by the SRA as provided in the Resolution Plan, it is pertinent to refer to the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Embassy Property Development Private Limited v. State of Karnataka & Ors. in Civil Appeal No. 9170 of 2019. The relevant part of the judgement is reproduced herein below: "39. Another important aspect is that under Section 25 (2) (b) of IBC, 2016, the resolution professional is obliged to represent and act on behalf of the corporate debtor with third parties and exercise rights for the benefit of the corporate debtor in judicial, quasi-judicial and arbitration proceedings. Section 25(1) and 25(2)(b) reads as follows: 25. Duties of resolution professional (1) It shall be the duty of the resolution professional to preserve and protect the assets of the corporate debtor, including the continued business operations of the corporate debtor. (2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the resolution professional shall undertake the following actions: - (a) (b) Represent and act on behalf of the corporate debtor with third parties, exercise rights for the benefit of the corporate debtor in judicial, quasi-judicial and arbitration proceedings. This shows that wherever the corporate debtor has to exercise rights in judicial, quasi-judicial proceedings, the resolution professional cannot short-circuit the same and bring a claim before NCLT taking advantage of section 60(5). 40. Therefore, in the light of the statutory scheme as culled out from various provisions of the IBC, 2016 it is clear that wherever the corporate debtor has to exercise a right that falls outside the purview of the IBC,
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2016 especially in the realm of the public law, they cannot, through the resolution professional, take a bypass and go before NCLT for the enforcement of such a right." ii. In the light of the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the Embassy Property Development Private Limited (Supra), as to the waiver, relief and concessions sought in the Resolution Plan, it is clarified that this Adjudicating Authority is not inclined towards granting any such relief prayed for except for what is provided in the Code itself. However, the Successful Resolution Applicant may approach and file the necessary application before the necessary forum/authority in order to avail the necessary relief and concessions, in accordance with respective laws. 13. The Resolution Applicant also submitted that in the Resolution Plan which has been submitted by Successful Resolution Applicant/ Consortium there is change in management and control of the Corporate Debtor and such change satisfies conditions stipulated under Section 32A of the Code, therefore the benefit of immunity under Section 32A of the Code will be applicable to the Successful Resolution Applicant/ Consortium. 14. ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS: i. This Adjudicating Authority finds that the Resolution Plan was submitted by Cyfuture India Private Limited and as approved unanimously by the Committee of Creditors in its 19th CoC meeting convened on 20.12.2024 with voting concluded on 23.12.2024 and that no provision of the IBC is contravened. ii. We find that the Resolution Plan meets the requirement of being a viable and feasible and for revival of the Corporate Debtor. By and large, there are provisions for making the Plan effective after approval by this Bench. iii. In so far as the approval of the Resolution Plan is concerned, this Adjudicating Authority is duty bound to follow the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of K. Sashidhar v. Indian Overseas Bank (2019) 12 SCC 150,
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 wherein the scope and interference of the Adjudicating Authority in the process of the approval of the Resolution Plan is elaborated as follows: - “35. Whereas, the discretion of the adjudicating authority (NCLT) is circumscribed by Section 31 limited to scrutiny of the resolution plan "as approved" by the requisite percent of voting share of financial creditors. Even in that enquiry, the grounds on which the adjudicating authority can reject the resolution plan is in reference to matters specified in Section 30(2), when the resolution plan does not conform to the stated requirements. Reverting to Section 30(2), the enquiry to be done is in respect of whether the resolution plan provides: (i) the payment of insolvency resolution process costs in a specified manner in priority to the repayment of other debts of the corporate debtor, (ii) the repayment of the debts of operational creditors in prescribed manner, (iii) the management of the affairs of the corporate debtor, (iv) the implementation and supervision of the resolution plan, (v) does not contravene any of the provisions of the law for the time being in force, (vi) conforms to such other requirements as may be specified by the Board. The Board referred to is established under Section 188 of the I&B Code. The powers and functions of the Board have been delineated in Section 196 of the I&B Code. None of the specified functions of the Board, directly or indirectly, pertain to regulating the manner in which the financial creditors ought to or ought not to exercise their commercial wisdom during the voting on the resolution plan under Section 30(4) of the I&B Code. The subjective satisfaction of the financial creditors at the time of voting is bound to be a mixed baggage of variety of factors. To wit, the feasibility and viability of the proposed resolution plan and including their perceptions about the general capability of the resolution applicant to translate the projected plan into a reality. The resolution applicant may have given projections
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 backed by normative data but still in the opinion of the dissenting financial creditors, it would not be free from being speculative. These aspects are completely within the domain of the financial creditors who are called upon to vote on the resolution plan under Section 30(4) of the I&B Code.” iv. Also, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Committee of Creditors of Essar Steel India Limited vs. Satish Kumar Gupta & Ors., Civil Appeal No. 8766-67 of 2019, vide its judgement dated 15.11.2019 has observed as follows: "38. This Regulation fleshes out Section 30(4) of the Code, making it clear that ultimately it is the commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors which operates to approve what is deemed by a majority of such creditors to be the best resolution plan, which is finally accepted after negotiation of its terms by such Committee with prospective resolution applicants." v. Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Association v. NBCC (India) Limited, (2022) 1 SCC 401 has held as under: “273.1.
The adjudicating authority has limited jurisdiction in the matter of approval of a resolution plan, which is well-defined and circumscribed by Sections 38(2) and 31 of the Code. In the adjudicatory process concerning a resolution plan under IBC, there is no scope for interference with the commercial aspects of the decision of the CoC; and there is no scope for substituting any commercial term of the resolution plan approved by the Committee of Creditors. If, within its limited jurisdiction, the adjudicating authority finds any shortcoming in the resolution plan vis-à-vis the specified parameters, it would only send the resolution plan back to the Committee of Creditors, for resubmission after satisfying the I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 parameters delineated by the Code and exposited by this Court.' (emphasis supplied).” vi. The above view of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Association v NBCC (India) Limited (Supra) is reaffirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in its recent decision dated 21.11.2023 in the case of Ramkrishna Forgings Limited Vs Ravindra Loonkar, Resolution Professional of ACIL Limited & Anr., Civil Appeal No. 1527/2022. vii.
Thus, from the judgments cited and the statutory framework of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, it is evident that the scope of judicial review available to this Adjudicating Authority under Section 30(2) read with Section 31 is limited to assessing the compliance of the Resolution Plan with the prescribed legal requirements. This Authority is neither empowered nor obligated to delve into or evaluate the commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors (CoC), which is paramount and binding, provided it aligns with the provisions of the Code. Upon satisfaction that the proposed Resolution Plan adheres to the statutory mandates, including equitable treatment of stakeholders and compliance with applicable laws, this Bench finds no impediment to granting its approval. 15. ORDER: i. Subject to the observations made in this order, the Resolution Plan dated 22.11.2024 read with Addendum dated 10.12.2024 submitted by Cyfuture India Private Limited for a total plan value of 7,11,68,000/- (Rs. Seven Crores, Eleven Lakhs and Sixty Eight Thousand only) along with affidavit and other documents connected to the Resolution Plan that have been filed by the SRA from time to time, is hereby approved.
The Resolution Plan shall form part of this order. ii. The approved Resolution Plan as annexed shall be binding on all the stakeholders of the Corporate Debtor and become effective from the date of I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 passing of this Order, and shall be implemented strictly as per the term of the plan and implementation schedule given therein. The Resolution Plan shall form part of the order. iii. The Monitoring Committee, as provided in the Resolution Plan shall be set up by the Applicant within 07 days of passing of this order, which shall take all necessary steps for expeditious implementation of the Resolution Plan as per approval. iv. The Moratorium imposed under section 14 of the Code shall cease to have effect from the date of this order. v. The Resolution Professional shall submit the records collected during the commencement of the proceedings to the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of India for their record. vi. The MoA and AoA of the Corporate Debtor shall be amended and filed with the RoC for information and record as prescribed. While approving the Resolution Plan as mentioned above, it is clarified that the Successful Resolution Applicant shall pursuant to the Resolution Plan approved under section 31(1) of the Code, 2016, obtain all the necessary approvals as may be required under any law for the time being in force within the period as provided for such in law. vii.
Liberty is hereby granted for moving appropriate application if required in connection with the implementation of this Resolution Plan. viii. A copy of this Order shall be filed by the Resolution Professional with the Registrar of Companies, NCT of Delhi & Haryana. ix. The Resolution Professional shall stand discharged from his duties with effect from the date of this Order, save and except those duties that are enjoined upon him for implementation of the approved Resolution Plan. x. The Resolution Professional is further directed to hand over all records, licences, plans, approvals of premises/factories/documents and all other
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022 relevant records relating to the Corporate Debtor, available with it to the SRA to finalize and co-operate on the further line of action required for starting the operation and implementation of this Plan. The Resolution Applicant shall have access to all the records, documents and the premises through the Resolution Professional to finalize the further course of action required for starting and running the operations of the Corporate Debtor on a clean slate basis. xi. The Registry is directed to send copies of the order forthwith to IBBI, all the parties and their Ld. Counsel for information and for taking necessary steps. xii. Certified copy of this order may be issued, if applied for, upon compliance with all requisite formalities.
-SD/- -SD/- ATUL CHATURVEDI MANNI SANKARIAH SHANMUGA SUNDARAM MEMBER (TECHNICAL) MEMBER (JUDICIAL)
I.A. (PLAN) 1 (ND) 2025 IN C.P. IB 685 (ND) OF 2022
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