In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
- CitationIA (DIS)/3 (CHE)/2024 in IA/175/CHE/2021 in IBA/40/2019
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The Tribunal may order dissolution of a corporate debtor under Section 54 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 where the liquidator has shown that the corporate debtor has been completely liquidated, with no realisable assets remaining and the statutory compliances (including the final report and Form H compliance certificate) having been made, so that dissolution is required in the circumstances averred and prayed for.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL DIVISION BENCH (COURT– I) CHENNAI ATTENDANCE CUM ORDER SHEET OF THE HEARING HELD ON 09.12.2024 THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING PRESENT: HON’BLE SHRI. SANJIV JAIN, MEMBER (JUDICIAL) HON’BLE SHRI. VENKATARAMAN SUBRAMANIAM, MEMBER (TECHNICAL) IN THE MATTER OF : Jacob Scientifiec Vs Prescot Productions Pvt Ltd MAIN PETITION NUMBER : IBA/40/2019 (IA/MA) APPLICATION NUMBERS IA(DIS)/3(CHE)2024 ORDER Present: Ms. Mekala, Liquidator in person. Ld. Counsel Shri. T. Jayasankar for the Respondent No. 1. Vide separate order pronounced in Open Court, the company M/s. Prescot Productions Pvt Ltd is dissolved. File be consigned to records.
Sd/- Sd/- (VENKATARAMAN SUBRAMANIAM) (SANJIV JAIN) MEMBER (TECHNICAL) MEMBER (JUDICIAL) MG
IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, DIVISION BENCH – I, CHENNAI IA (DIS)/3 (CHE)/2024 in IA/175/CHE/2021 in IBA/40/2019 (Filed under Section 54, 60(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 read with Regulation 45 of IBBI (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016 read with Rule 11 of NCLT Rules, 2016) In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited B.Mekala Liquidator of Prescot Productions Private Limited No.57, Bhaiya Complex, 286, Purasawalkam High Road, Purasawalkam, Chennai – 600 007 … Applicant/Liquidator Vs 1. Jacob Scientifics Represented by its proprietor Mr. Reji Jacob 5/389, Madipakkam Main Rd, Madipakkam, Chennai-600091, 2. Venkateswara Rao Suspended Director of M/s. Prescot Productions Private Limited No. 14/7 Jayaram Nagar, 4th Main Road, Kolathur, Chennai-600099 3. Jayashree Menon Suspended Director of M/s. Prescot Productions Private Limited Old TB Road, Kurachilakkodu, Kodanad Post, Perumbavoor, Cochin, Kerala-683544 4. Mr. Pathukasahasram Raghunathan Raman Resolution Professional of Prescot Productions Private Limited Srishas Kamalam Apartment, 93, Sivan Koil South Street, Vadapalani, Chennai-600026
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
5. Indian Bank 21, North Mada Street, Mylapore Branch, Chennai 600004. 6. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India 7th Floor, Mayur Bhawan, Shankar Market, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001 …Respondents
Order Pronounced on 09th December, 2024 CORAM SANJIV JAIN, MEMBER (JUDICIAL) VENKATARAMAN SUBRAMANIAM, MEMBER (TECHNICAL)
For Applicant: Ms. Mekala Balasubramaniam, Liquidator in Person For Respondents: T.Jayasankar for R1
O R D E R
(Hearing Conducted through VC)
This Application has been filed under Section 54, 60(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 read with Regulation 45 of IBBI (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016 read with Rule 11 of NCLT
Rules, 2016 by the liquidator of the Corporate Debtor herein seeking reliefs as follows:
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited a) Direct the 1st Respondent to pay the liquidation cost along with liquidator's fee and other connected expenses incurred for the liquidation process of the CD till the date of passing orders for this Application. b) To pass an order of dissolution of the Corporate Debtor as per Section 54 IBC, 2016. c) To pass such further or other orders as may be deemed fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case and thus render justice.
2. It is stated that CIRP of the Corporate Debtor was initiated by this Tribunal vide order dated 23.08.2019 and one Mr.P R Raman was appointed as Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) and thereafter as Resolution Professional (RP).
3. It is stated that the Liquidation of the Corporate Debtor was ordered by this Tribunal on 02.09.2021 in IA/175/CHE/2020 and the Applicant herein was appointed as the Liquidator.
4. It is stated that pursuant to the order of Liquidation, the Applicant caused the Public Announcement on 16.09.2021 in Form –B of Schedule
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
II by inviting claims from all the stakeholders and fixed the last date for submission of claim as 06.10.2021.
5. It is stated that on 04.10.2021, applicant sent an email to City Union
Bank, Kolathur, to open a "No Lien Liquidation Account". However, no action was taken by the bank, despite providing all requisite information in this regard. Further, on 16.10.2021 and 25.11.2021, the applicant contacted the Bank to open a liquidation account. Finally, a Liquidation Account was opened on 29.12.2021. The Balance available in this account is Rs.22,554/-.
6. It is stated that applicant received only two claims against the Company. One claim from the Financial Creditor submitted in Form D for a sum of Rs.92,69,149/- and another claim from the ESI department for a sum of Rs.5,08,960/-in Form C.
7. It is stated that in addition to the above, applicant contacted the promoters of the Corporate Debtor requesting them to cooperate and provide information required during the liquidation process. However, wife of the 2nd Respondent (promoter-director of the Company)
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited informed the applicant that 2nd Respondent was ill and admitted in hospital. Despite several attempts to contact the promoters through email, messages, etc., the promoters did not turn up to provide information regarding the Company to the applicant.
8. It is stated that the Applicant is unable to proceed further in the liquidation process as the financial creditor has not been taking up the responsibility of paying the expenses incurred during the liquidation period, including liquidation cost and liquidator's fee. The expenses incurred by the applicant are:
9. It is stated that in the 4th CoC meeting of the Corporate Debtor conducted by the 4th Respondent (Resolution Professional), the liquidator’s fee was fixed as Rs.25,000/- per month.
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
10. It is stated that a perusal of the documents handed over by the 4th
Respondent, reveals that the RP had determined certain transactions as avoided as per IBC. However, no application under IBC was filed by the 4th Respondent before this Tribunal. It is stated that the applicant herein does not possess the material documents/ data to file an application for avoidance of transactions. Further, the Applicant herein does not have the support or resources to investigate into the affairs of the Company in the above circumstances.
11. It is stated that in the minutes of the 3rd CoC meeting held on 27.12.2019, it was recorded that the assets of the Corporate Debtor were handed over by the 2nd respondent to the landlord and the stocks are also missing. There is no employee / worker/staff in the Corporate
Debtor. No Key Managerial Personnel (KMPs) to provide details of the business of the Corporate Debtor.
12. It is stated that from the available information, it is seen that the Corporate Debtor is not a going concern and has no business. In the above minutes the RP has recorded that as there are no assets for the IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
Corporate Debtor, the CoC has opted to go for Liquidation of the Corporate Debtor. It is stated that in the opinion of the applicant, the realizable properties of the Corporate Debtor are insufficient to cover the cost of the liquidation process and no further investigation into the affairs of the Corporate Debtor is required. Therefore, it will be appropriate that company be dissolved.
13. It is stated that in minutes of the 3rd CoC meeting held on 27.12.2019, that RP had tabled the provisional financials and Information
Memorandum and the CoC had discussed about the draft Information
Memorandum and got clarifications from the RP. In the meeting, the members of CoC decided to initiate appropriate action against the suspended directors. Accordingly, IA/1237/2020 was filed by the 4th respondent/RP under Section 19 of the code and the same was disposed of by this Tribunal vide order dated 06.09.2021 directing the Suspended
Directors of the Corporate Debtor to extend full co-operation to the applicant and handover all the documents in respect to the Corporate
Debtor within a period of two weeks from 06.09.2021.
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
14. The details of the relevant compliances as mandated under
Section 54 of the IBC, 2016 read with the IBBI (Liquidation Process)
Regulations, 2016 are listed hereunder:-
S. COMPLIANCE AVERMENTS PAGE NO. IN THE NO APPLICATION Public Announcement in Form B dated 1 Regulation 12 24 16.09.2021 Appointment of Registered Valuers where 2 Regulation 35(2) N/A no valuation conducted during CIRP List of Stakeholders within 45 days of the 3 Regulation 31(2) N/A Liquidation Commencement Date Constitution of Stakeholders Consultation 4 Regulation 31A N/A Committee (SCC) 5 Regulation 13 Preliminary Report No Assets available Preparation of Asset Memorandum within 6 Regulation 34 No Assets available Seventy-Five days from LCD Opening of Bank Account in the name of Para 4 at Regulation 41 the company in Liquidation in a the application Scheduled Bank Filed as a separate Proof of Closure of the above Bank memo Vide 8 Account and other account in the name of S.R.No.5075 dated the Company 18.10.2024 Quarterly Progress Reports and proof of Para 18 at Page 11 9 Regulation 15 filing the same before this Tribunal of the application 10 Regulation 36 Asset Sale Reports after sale of Reports There was no sale Proof of Distribution within Ninety days 11 Regulation 42(2) N/A from the receipt of realization 12 Regulation 45 (3) Final report 46-49 13 Regulation 5 (1) (e) Compilation of Minutes of SCC N/A Page 9 – 10 of Audited Accounts of receipts and Synopsis vide 14 Regulation 15 Payments S.R.No.945 dated 22.02.2024 Completion of Liquidation Process within one year from Liquidation 15 Regulation 37 N/A Commencement Date or extension if any, date of the order & period 16 Form-H –Compliance Certificate 46-49
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
15. We have heard Ld. Counsel for the Applicant and perused the report and synopsis filed by the Liquidator.
16. In relation to relief (a), vide order dated 19.08.2024, this Tribunal recorded as under:
Ld. Counsel for R1 submits that the Respondent is willing to pay Rs.1,20,000/- as decided by the CoC in the 4th meeting on 07.04.2021. It is seen that in the present case, the Liquidator has claimed Rs.2,76,864/-. It is stated that there is no asset with the Company. At this stage, it is submitted by the Liquidator that she accepts the amount of Rs.1,20,000/- as offered by the Respondent. Two days is sought on behalf of the Respondent to make the compliance.
17. During the hearing held on 13.09.2024, Ld. Counsel for the Applicant stated that she has received the amount of Rs.1,20,000/- in terms of the order dated 19.08.2024.
18. It is seen from the Memo filed by the Respondent vide Sr. No. 4346 dated 16.09.2024 that an amount of Rs.01,20,000/- was transferred to the liquidation process account of the Corporate Debtor which was also acknowledged by the Liquidator. In the present petition, besides prayer
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited for dissolution of the Corporate Debtor under Section 54 of IBC, the Applicant has requested for payment of liquidation cost along with the Liquidator fee.
19. In view of the compliance submitted on behalf of the Respondent, the prayer (a) as to directing liquidation cost and expenses is disposed of.
20. It is stated in revised Form H that no applications are pending before this Tribunal for avoidance, Preferential, Undervalued or Fraudulent Transactions.
21. The liquidator has filed the synopsis showing the realization and the distribution which are reproduced as under:
Realization: Nil
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
Distribution:
22. From the averments made in the Application and on the perusal of the final report and the Compliance Certificate filed in the revised
Form-H, it is seen that the Corporate Debtor has been completely liquidated. In the circumstances as averred and as prayed for by the Applicant, an order for dissolution is required to be passed by this IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
Tribunal under Section 54 of the IBC, 2016. Accordingly, we order for dissolution of the Corporate Debtor viz., Prescot Productions Private
Limited. The Liquidator is directed to forward the copy of this Order to the RoC concerned and also to the IBBI for its records within a period of 7 days from the date of this Order.
23. In terms of the above, this IA/(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 stands allowed and IBA/40/2019 also stands disposed of.
24. File be consigned to records.
-Sd- -Sd- VENKATARAMAN SUBRAMANIAM SANJIV JAIN MEMBER (TECHNICAL) MEMBER (JUDICIAL)
IA(DIS)/3/CHE/2024 in IBA/40/2019 In the matter of Prescot Productions Private Limited
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