Aude Priya Donatelle Wacziarg Ep Engel vs Neemrana Hotels Pvt Ltd
- CitationCOMPANY APPEAL(AT) NO.379 OF 2017
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The Tribunal's reasoning rests on the following principles. Under Section 174(2) of the Companies Act, 2013, where the continuing directors are reduced below the statutory quorum, they may act only for the purpose of increasing the number of directors to the quorum or of summoning a general meeting of the company, and for no other purpose; whether an additional director may be appointed by email rather than by a validly convened board or general meeting is a question requiring final determination. An interim order under Section 242(4) of the Companies Act, 2013 must be directed to regulating the conduct of the company's affairs on such terms as appear just and equitable, and should not decide final questions that are yet to be tried in the substantive petition; an interim order that in substance finally determines the disputed questions exceeds that purpose. Where a company has two directors holding equal shareholding through rival groups, and one director is claimed to have become disqualified, fairness prima facie requires consultation with the other shareholder group before a replacement director is appointed unilaterally. Findings on the merits of the dispute made at the interim stage are prima facie only and do not bind the Tribunal deciding the substantive company petition.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
(Arising out of order dated 17.10.2017 passed by the National Company Law Tribunal, (New Delhi Bench), New Delhi in Company Petition No.348(ND) of 2017.
IN THE MATTER OF: Before NCLT Before NCLAT
1. Aude Priya Donatelle Wacziarg 2nd Respondent Appellant Ep Engel A-50, Nizammuddin East, New Delhi-110013,
Vs
1. Neemrana Hotels Pvt Ltd 1st Respondent 1st Respondent A-20B, Lajpat Nagar II, New Delhi.
2. Mr. Aman Nath, Petitioner 2nd Respondent 12-Jaipur Estate (First Floor), Nizamuddin East, New Delhi-110013.
3. Yatish Moncourt, 3rd Respondent 3rd Respondent B-58, Sector 57, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Noida-201301
Present: For Appellant:-Mr Jayant K. Mehta, Shri Ashish Dholakia, Ms Nidhi Mohan Parashar and Shri Roshan Chawla, Advocates.
For Respondents: - Mr. Vivek Malik and Shri Dhawal Jain, Advocates for Respondent No.1. Shri Sudhanshu Batra, Senior Advocate with Shri Krishnendu Datta, Shri Ashish Verma, Ms Sahiba Pantel and Shri Aditya Mishra, Advocates for Respondent No.2.
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 2
JUDGEMENT
BALVINDER SINGH, MEMBER (TECHNICAL)
1. This appeal has been preferred by appellant under Section 421 of the
Companies Act, 2013 against the impugned order dated 17th October, 2017
passed by the Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal, New Delhi Bench,
New Delhi in C.P. No.348(ND) of 2017 preferred by 2nd Respondent under
Section 241 and 242 of the Companies Act, 2013. The appellant has sought
the relief of setting aside, quashing and setting aside the impugned order
dated 17th October, 2017.
2. The brief facts of the case are that 1st respondent is a private limited
company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 was incorporated on
09.07.1993 and having its registered office at New Delhi. Mr. Francis Wacziarg
(the father of the appellant) and 2nd respondent were the founders, promoters
and equal shareholders of 1st respondent. Both Mr.Francis Wacziarg and 2nd
respondent were each holding 50% shareholding of 1st respondent. Mr.
Francis Wacziarg passed away on 19.2.2014 and after death his shareholding
devolved upon his two legal heirs i.e. appellant and son, Mr. Romain Wacziarg.
Mr. Romain Wacziarg relinquished his shareholding in favour of appellant and
thereafter the appellant settled a trust namely Wacziarg Family Trust, the
beneficiary of which were Mr.Romain Wacziarg and his children. The trust is
the holder of 25% shares in 1st respondent. Therefore, the appellant effectively
represents 50% shareholding in the 1st Respondent. The appellant was
appointed as a Director of 1st Respondent at the AGM dated 30.9.2014 and
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 3
thereafter only two directors namely appellant and 2nd respondent are on the
Board of 1st respondent.
3. In October, 2017 the appellant came to know from independent sources
that the 2nd respondent's office as a director in 1st respondent had become
vacant on account of 2nd respondent having become disqualified under
Section 164(2)(a) of the Companies Act, 2013.
4. Appellant acting in furtherance of her obligations under Section 174(2)
of the Companies Act, 2013, appointed 3rd respondent on 12.10.2017 as an
Additional Director to ensure the smooth functioning of the 1st respondent
who's board consisted of only one director as the office of 2nd respondent
became vacany by operation of law.
5. On 16.10.2017, appellant received copy of Company Petition No.
348(ND)/2017 filed by 2nd respondent before the National Company Law
Tribunal, New Delhi alleging oppression and mismanagement by the appellant
seeking the following main reliefs:-
a) Issue appropriate orders, directions and reliefs under Sections 241,
242 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act,2013 to bring
to an end the aforesaid acts of oppression and mismanagement being
perpetrated by the Respondents, including the orders, directions and
reliefs prayed for herein;
b) Pass an order declaring that the Board Meeting dated 12.10.2017
was illegal, invalid and non-est in the eyes of law and/or any other
appropriate order or directions;
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 4
c) Issue appropriate orders and/or directions declaring the appoint of
Respondent No.3 as additional director of the Respondent No.1 as null,
void and non-est in the eyes of law.
d) Issue appropriate orders and/or directions declaring the Board
Meeting dated 12.10.2017 and all decisions taken and/or resolutions
passed at the said Board Meeting to be null, void and non est in the
eyes of law.
e) Permanent injunction restraining Respondents No.2 and/or 3 from
acting, representing and/or holding themselves out as directors of the
Respondent No.1 company;
f) Permanent injunction and/or any other appropriate order of direction
restraining Respondent No.2 and/Respondent No.3 from interfering in
the day to day affairs of the Respondent No.1 company.
g) Issue appropriate orders/directions restraining the Respondent No.2
from acting as Director of the Respondent No.1 company, inter-alia,
under Section 167 of the Companies Act, 2013 for conducting the
affairs of company in a manner which is prejudicial to the interest of
the company.
h) Issue appropriate orders and/or directions for reversal of all
decisions taken as to the affairs of Respondent No.1 company from
12.10.2017 till the date of passing the order including calling back of
any monies siphoned off by Respondent Nos 2 and/or 3 from the
account of the Respondent No.1 company.
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 5
i) Pass a declaration that the Respondents have conducted the affairs
of the company with an intent to defraud its members or other persons,
have been guilty of fraud, misfeasance or other misconduct towards the
Respondent No.1 company and/or its members and/or liable to be
punished in accordance with law;
6. On 17.10.2017 the matter was listed. After hearing the parties the
National Company Law Tribunal, New Delhi passed the following order:-
"Learned Sr. Counsels for the Petitioner have prayed for grant of
ad-interim relief. Attention of this bench is drawn to the alleged acts
of illegality attributed to Respondent No.2, whereby, she is stated to
have unilaterally inducted Respondent No.3 as an Additional Director
of the Respondent No.1 company, without convening a proper Board
Meeting. This was done on the alleged misconception that the Petitioner
had been disqualified as a Director in this case.
Notice of this Bench is drawn to a letter dated 12.10.2017,
whereby it has categorically been affirmed by the office of the ROC, that
the petitioner's representation was considered and his disqualification
has since been recalled.
Referring to the impugned acts in this case, it is argued that the
decisions taken by the newly constituted Board is tainted with
illegality, being in complete violation of the provisions of law, as the
Additional Director was appointed by Respondent No.2 in her
individual capacity and her decision was communicated by an email.
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 6
Further, it is averred that even in such an event where a sole Director
is on the Board, an EGM can be called for passing a Resolution of a one
point Agenda i.e. of appointing an Additional Director. In the present
case, several resolutions have been passed to the alleged detriment of
the company. Ld. Counsel for the Respondent on the other hand has
refuted the submissions made on behalf of the Petitioner on the grounds
that there is no illegality since as on that date, Respondent No.2 was
the only Director of the Respondent Company as the Petitioner was
disqualified in terms of provisions of Section 174(2) (should be 164(2))
of the Act r/w Section 167(1)(a) of the Companies Act. She also holds
the 25% equity (the other 25% equity is held by her brother's trust) and
resolutions were passed for conducting the business of the Respondent
Company.
Be that as it may, the fact that the disqualification of the
Petitioner was an apparent error, cannot strip him of his rights, nor
vest Respondent No.2 with the right of passing resolutions as done in
the present case. Her actions appear to have been made in haste.
Without questioning her bonafides, prima facie, her actions can neither
be justified, nor be said to be in accordance with law. Accordingly, it
is directed that Status Quo ante 12.10.2017 be restored. All decisions
taken subsequent to 12.10.2017 and thereafter are hereby set aside.
The Petitioner being a Director shall be on board for all decisions to be
taken henceforth.
Reply be filed by the Respondents within three weeks.
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 7
To come up on 16th November, 2017 for final arguments."
7. Being aggrieved by the said order 17.10.2017 the appellant has come
in appeal seeking the following relief:-
a) Set aside the impugned order dated 17.10.2017 passed by the
Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal, New Delhi in petition bearing
No.(IB)348(ND) of 2017; and/or
b) Pass any other order that this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem
appropriate to pass in the interest of justice, equity and good
conscience.
8. The appellant have stated that the impugned order does not give any
final and conclusive reasons for setting aside the decision of the Board of 1st
Respondent after 12.10.2017. The appellant further stated that the impugned
order being final in nature is a non-speaking order.
9. The appellant stated that the office of 2nd respondent as a Director in
1st Respondent company, having become vacant, the appellant bona fide
appointed 3rd respondent so that the Board of 1st respondent is functional.
The appellant further stated that the office of the 2nd respondent as a director
in 1st respondent became vacant by operation of law.
10. The appellant further stated that the RTI, on which the 2nd respondent
is relying upon, from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs merely states that the
disqualification has now been removed and does not specifically state that the
disqualification was void ab initio.
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 8
11. The appellant next states that the Learned Tribunal should see the
malafide action of 2nd respondent who intentionally and deliberately withheld
information about his disqualification as a Director from the Appellant.
12. The appellant stated that the Learned Tribunal has erred in holding
that disqualification of 2nd respondent cannot strip him of his rights. The
appellant further stated that the Learned Tribunal has failed to provide any
reasons for arriving at this finding.
13. The appellant stated that the Learned Tribunal by ordering "Status Quo
ante 12.10.2017 be restored, all decision subsequent to 12.10.2017 and
thereafter are hereby set aside" has set aside all decisions taken on
12.10.2017 including but not limited to the appointment of 3rd respondent.
The appellant stated that the Learned Tribunal could not have done so
without adjudicating the merits and circumstances of each of these decisions.
14. The appellant stated that the appellant acted under Section 174(2) of
the Companies Act, 2013 for the purpose increasing the number of directors.
It is next stated that under the said provision, the appellant as a continuing
director had the option to either increase the number of directors to that fixed
for quorum or to summon a general meeting of the company. The appellant
stated that the Learned Tribunal failed to appreciate the Section 164(2),
167(1) and 174(2) of the Companies Act, 2013.
15. The appellant stated without setting aside the appointment of 3rd
respondent, the Tribunal could not have restored status quo ante as 3rd
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 9
respondent was appointed director to fill the vacancy in the Board that came
to be created by the disqualification of the 2nd respondent.
16. The appellant stated that the impugned order passed by the Tribunal
is prima facie a final order and the same has been passed without the reply
of the appellant. The appellant stated that the Learned Tribunal could not
have granted the final relief at the time of admission of the aforesaid company
petition.
17. Reply has been filed by 2nd respondent. 2nd respondent has stated that
being aggrieved by the series of actions of the appellant the 2nd respondent
has filed Company Petition before the Hon'ble Tribunal.
18. 2nd respondent stated that the appellant by trying to take advantage of
an error which has been committed by Registrar of Companies vide an email
dated 12.10.2017 at 08.48 AM appointed 3rd respondent as an Additional
Director and after usurping complete control of the company, took a series of
decisions like suspending the CEO and terminated the services of two senior
consultants, which were detrimental to the interest of the company. 2nd
respondent stated that he had never vacated his office as a Director of 1st
respondent. 2nd respondent further stated that the impugned order dated
17.10.2017 passed by the Tribunal has been passed by it in exercise of its
wide powers under Section 242(4) of the Companies Act, 2013.
19. 2nd respondent stated that on 17.10.2017 a detailed hearing had taken
place before the Hon'ble Tribunal and hearing both the parties the learned
Tribunal had passed the impugned order which is a well reasoned and
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 10
speaking order. Appellant was unable to given explanation as to how the
appointment of Additional Director can be made vide an email as against in a
Board Meeting.
20. 2nd respondent stated that the appellant herein in addition to instant
appeal, as a counter blast, has also filed a Company Petition bearing C.P.
No.401(ND)/2017 on the ground that the appellant herein was being
disallowed by the 2nd respondent to participate in the affairs of the 1st
respondent. The Learned Tribunal has issued notice and granted some
interim reliefs to the appellant. 2nd respondent stated that the impugned order
has been passed in due consideration of law.
21. 2nd respondent stated that his name had appeared in the list of
disqualified directors prepared by ROC on account of an apparent error. 2nd
respondent further stated, without prejudice, that the said disqualification if
at all was only in respect of company in which it had arisen and did not extend
to any other company. 2nd respondent stated that he had never vacated his
office in other companies except Ashok Brother Impex Pvt Ltd. 2nd respondent
stated that he always remained the director of 1st respondent and there was
no occasion for the appellant to have acted in the manner she had acted and
appointed an Additional Director in terms of Section 174(2) of the Companies
Act.
22. Rejoinder has been filed by the appellant. The appellant stated that in
terms of press release dated 12.09.2017 issued by the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, it has been stated that upon suffering disqualification under Section
167 of the Companies Act,2013, the office of the Director shall fall vacant. The
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 11
same also states that the disqualification under Section 164 of the Companies
Act, 2013 is by way of operation of law. The appellant stated that once the
office of 2nd respondent became vacant, 2nd respondent could not
automatically become a director even if the ROC states that the
disqualification has now been removed even though the ROC has no power to
remove such disqualification. The appellant further stated that the
disqualification incurred is not by virtue of the name appearing in the list, but
due to the fulfilment of the conditions mentioned in Section 164 of the
Companies Act, 2013. The appellant stated that it is not the ROC that
disqualifies directors, but the fulfilment of conditions present in the statute
that causes the disqualification.
23. The appellant stated that Companies Act, 2013 does not vest the ROC
with any power to cause removal of disqualification incurred under Section
164 of the Act. The proper legal course for the removal of disqualification was
to challenge the said defaulters list before a Court of Law. The appellant
further stated that, as per para 63 of Company Petition, 2nd respondent had
filed a Company Petition No.71(ND)/2013 seeking for the removal of the name
of the Petitioner from the list of disqualified directors and the Hon'ble NCLT
was pleased to issue Notice to the ROC in the said application on 09.10.2017.
The appellant stated that 2nd respondent did take some steps but later on 2nd
respondent withdrew the said application and sought to rely on the reply
received under RTI dated 12.10.2018, which stated that the disqualification
had now been removed.
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 12
24. The appellant stated that this Appellate Tribunal vide order dated
14.11.2017 had directed that 2nd respondent will not take part in any meeting
of the Board of Directors, which relate to policy decision of the 1st Respondent.
The appellant stated that 2nd respondent having been restrained from
participating in the policy decision of 1st respondent, malafide refused to even
share the policies of the company with the appellant. The same is recorded as
part of the report of the Local Commissioner appointed at the request of the
appellant by order dated 16.11.2017 in CP No.401(ND)/2017.
25. During the course of hearing 2nd respondent was given an opportunity
to place certified copy of the application and concerned record/order from the
office of ROC which formed the basis for issuance of RTI response dated
12.10.2017. 2nd respondent filed copy of RTI application dated 4.5.2018, RTI
response bearing No.RTI/April 2018/PP/143 dated 16.5.2018.
26. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the
entire record.
27. Learned counsel for the appellant argued that the Board of 1st
respondent consists of two directors namely appellant and 2nd respondent.
2nd respondent was disqualified under Section 164(2)(a) of the Companies Act
from being a Director from 1.11.2014 to 31.10.2021 by the Ministry of
Corporate Affairs in September, 2017. 2nd respondent did not intimate 1st
respondent and the appellant about his disqualification and continued to be
director of 1st respondent. Learned counsel further argued that this act of 2nd
respondent has exposed the company as well as appellant to penalties and
legal action, by continuing as director. The Learned counsel for the appellant
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 13
further argued that in para 63 (Page 85 of the Paper Book) of the Company
Petition, 2nd respondent has admitted that he had filed company petition No.
71(ND)/2013 before the NCLT, New Delhi praying for removal of his name
from the list of disqualified directors in the matter of Ashok Brothers Impex
Pvt Ltd. Learned counsel for the appellant argued that he has not removed
2nd respondent as director of 1st respondent but he was disqualified in terms
of provisions of Section 174(2) of the Act read with Section 167(1)(a) of the
Companies Act, 2013. Learned counsel for the appellant further argued that
as the office of 2nd respondent as director having become vacant, therefore,
the appellant bona fide appointed 3rd respondent so that the Board of 1st
respondent is functional. Learned counsel further averred that the RTI from
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs merely states that the disqualification has
now been removed and does not state that the disqualification was void ab
initio. Learned counsel for the appellant further argued that the appellant
acted under Section 174(2) of the Companies Act for the purpose increasing
the number of directors as the appellant had the option to either increase the
number of directors to that fixed for the quorum or to summon a general
meeting of the company.
28. On the other side, learned counsel representing 2nd respondent argued
that the appellant by trying to take advantage of an error which has been
committed by ROC, vide an email appointed 3rd respondent as director and
that the 2nd respondent had never vacated his office as a Director of 1st
respondent. Learned counsel for the respondent argued that the appellant
convened a purported Board Meeting on 12.10.2017, for which no notice of
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 14
the said Board Meeting was given to 2nd Respondent, and the decisions taken
therein are illegal and against the interest of the company. Learned counsel
for the 2nd respondent argued that the name of the 2nd respondent appeared
in the list of disqualified directors prepared by ROC on account of an apparent
error. Learned counsel for the 2nd respondent further argued, without
prejudice, that the said disqualification if at all was only in respect of company
in which it had arisen and did not extend to any other company and the 2nd
respondent has never vacated his office in other companies, except Ashok
Brother Impex Pvt Ltd. Learned counsel for the respondent further argued
that the appointment of 3rd respondent as director was not in accordance with
law. Learned counsel for the 2nd respondent further argued that by RTI
response, the ROC intimated that the matter was considered and the name of
the 2nd respondent, which was wrongly put in the list of disqualified directors
by the ROC, from the disqualified directors was removed. Learned counsel
further stated that they have filed the certified copies of these documents as
additional affidavit.
29. A perusal of the impugned order which we have reproduced in para 6
(Supra) makes it clear that at initial stage of the petition itself and even before
the appellant-respondent could file reply the impugned order declared that it
was a fact that the disqualification of the petitioner was an apparent error.
Now in the company petition filed by the respondent/original petitioner it can
be seen that the respondent was pleading by referring to developments with
regard to the other company M/s Ashok Brother Impex Pvt Ltd as to how there
were orders of Company Law Board because of which account statements
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 15
could not be filed of that company and that the name of respondent/original
petitioner came to be entered in the list due to a technical error. The
respondent-original petitioner referred to the same as technical error due to
orders of Company Law Board. There is no dispute in arguments before us,
that regarding the fact that the appellant acted on list as has been filed as
Annexure A-2, Page 27 of the Appeal. The pleadings of the respondent-
petitioner that it was due to technical error or what, is yet to be tested in the
petition.
30. Respondent No.2-original petitioner before us has filed additional
affidavit (Diary No.5059) to say that on 22nd September, 2017 he had moved
the Registrar of Companies with reference to the removal of his name and the
name of other directors of M/s Ashok Brothers Impex Pvt Ltd. He referred to
copy of order dated 9.5.2013 of CLB in CP No.71/2013 (Page 471 of Appeal)
and copy of order dated 28.5.2013 (Page 472) of the Appeal which have been
filed with Company Petition to argue that there was stay on holding of
meetings because of which the statutory compliances could not be done. It is
argued that this was brought to the Notice of ROC to claim that his name is
wrongly entered in the list. With the additional affidavit Respondent No.2-
original petitioner has filed a copy of the documents from the record of
Registrar of Companies to show that ROC dealt with the matter of not only
Respondent No.2 but also of other companies for removing the disqualification
where "Management Dispute" or stay order was there or matter was under
consideration of NCLT. At the stage at which the present litigation is standing,
we are not entering into the dispute whether ROC could "remove
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 16
disqualification". The dispute raised in the present matter is that the entering
the name of the respondent No.2/petitioner in the list of disqualified director
was a technical error. Original Petitioner is showing document that ROC did
act upon his representation. ROC could do so or not will be matter in issue.
That would be matter for consideration in the petition. At this stage we are
not entering into the arguments of automatic activation of disqualification
provisions as looking to the fact referred to by the parties before us, it would
have to be decided whether in fact and in law the disqualification had been
incurred.
31. If the disqualification of original petitioner whether it was in fact and in
law is yet to be decided, so is the question whether the appellant could or
could not have legally appointed Respondent No.3 as Additional Director by
sending off an email. The case put up by the appellant is that in view of
Section 174 when she was the only director left she could appoint another
Additional Director. Section 174(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 reads as
under:
(2) The continuing directors may act notwithstanding any
vacancy in the Board; but, if and so long as their number is
reduced below the quorum fixed by the Act for a meeting of the
Board, the continuing directors or director may act for the
purpose of increasing the number of directors to that fixed for the
quorum, or of summoning a general meeting of the company and
for no other purpose."
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 17
If the above sub-section is perused when the quorum fell below the
minimum required, in the meeting the decision which was required to be
taken was limited to increasing the number of directors to that fixed for the
quorum or to take decision regarding the summoning a General Meeting of
the Company. Here, prima facie by an email Respondent No.3 was appointed.
Whether this can be said to be in compliance of the provisions of the Act, is
yet to be finally decided. Apart from this when it is apparent that the
appellant with Trust of her brother holds 50% shareholding and the other
50% was being held by the original petitioner, whether appellant acted fairly
the moment she came to know about the name of the original petitioner to be
in the list of disqualified directors is mater of consideration. When the
company had only two directors, and shareholding was equally divided
between the two groups, prima facie, fairness required consultation with the
original petitioner to ask if he would nominate a person of his choice. This
does not appear to have been done. We are concerned with the interest of the
Company because in the CP No.401(ND)/2017 which has been filed by the
appellant after the present petition, NCLT has passed the order dated
15.11.2017 (Annexure A filed with counter affidavit, Diary No.2704) and
where it is recorded that it was not in dispute that the business of the
company under the Respondent No.2 i.e. the present original petitioner had
prospered over the years.
32. Sub-Section (4) of Section 242 of the Companies Act, 2013 reads as
under:-
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 18
(4) The Tribunal may, on the application of any party to the
proceeding, make any interim order which it thinks fit for
regulating the conduct of the company's affairs upon such terms
and conditions as appear to it to be just and equitable.
Keeping in view this provision, prime consideration for NCLT should
have been and which is now our consideration because of this appeal is that
the interim order needs to concentrate on regulating the conduct of the
company's affairs on such terms and conditions as are just and equitable. At
the time of notice in the present appeal vide orders dated 14.11.2017 we had
directed that the 2nd respondent-original petitioner may continue as director
for day-to-day affairs of the company but will not take part in any of the
Meeting of the Board of Directors which relates to policy decision of the
company. Now when we are disposing this appeal, we find the operative order
of the impugned order was not correct as it was in the nature of final orders
which could not have been passed at the interim stage. We intend to give
directions so as to balance the equities between the parties.
33. For the above reasons we pass the following order:-
The impugned order is quashed and in its place it is directed that the
2nd respondent-original petitioner will continue as director alongwith the
appellant. The appointment of Respondent No.3 as Additional
Director/Director is stayed. The decisions taken by original Respondent No.2
and 3 subsequent to 12.10.2017 are also stayed till the decision of the
company petition. We request NCLT to appoint, during the pendency of the
company petition, an independent Director to the company on remuneration
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 19
similar to other directors who will ensure compliances by the Company with
provisions of the Companies Act and Rules. The Independent Director would
have casting vote in the meetings, (keeping interest of the company in view)
in case of any disagreement between the original petitioner and original
respondent No.2 of the company petition.
34. The observations made by us in this judgement relating to the dispute
are on prima facie for the purpose of deciding this appeal and shall not weigh
with the NCLT at the time of deciding the Company Petition. There shall be
no orders as to costs.
(Justice A.I.S.Cheema) (Mr.Balvinder Singh) Member (Judicial) Member (Technical)
New Delhi
Dated: 10 -8-2018
Bm
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017 20
Company Appeal (AT) No.379 of 2017
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