In the matter of Shree Sai Oto Tubes Mill Limited
- CitationI.A 4441/2023 in C.P.(IB)289/MB/2022
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The Tribunal, having found that no resolution of the Committee of Creditors had been passed under Section 33(1) to liquidate the Corporate Debtor, nevertheless held that where the CIRP period has expired without a resolution plan being received and the requisite 66% majority has not approved an extension of the CIRP period, the Adjudicating Authority may admit the Corporate Debtor for liquidation under Section 33(3) read with Section 60(5) of the Code, and must then direct the liquidation to proceed in accordance with the Code and the Liquidation Regulations. Where the Adjudicating Authority orders liquidation, it may appoint a liquidator from the IBBI panel under Section 34 in place of the applicant insolvency professional who has tendered written consent, and such appointment is made in the Authority's discretion irrespective of the consent already annexed. Under Regulation 32(e) and (f) of the Liquidation Regulations, the liquidator is to endeavour to explore the viability of selling the Corporate Debtor's business as a going concern, in order to maximise the value of its assets, consistent with the Supreme Court's observation in Swiss Ribbons that the Code's primary focus is revival and continuation of the corporate debtor.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH COURT-III ILA, 4441/2023 IN C.P.(IB)289/MB/2022 Under Section 33(3) r.w. 60(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Vishnu Kant Kabra Chartered Accountant & Insolvency Professional, ) B-402, La Chapelle, Evershine Nagar, Malad(West),) Mumbai 400064. Applicant/Resolution Professional IN THE MATTER OF Glamour India Pvt. Ltd. 502/F/3, ) Sundervan Complex, Lokhandwala Link Road, ) Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400053. ) Applicant/Resolution Professional Vs. Shree Sai OTO Tubes Mill Limited. Having its Registered Office at, 104/A, Jagannath Apartment, Rokadia Lane, Borivali (West) Mumbai -400092. ...Respondent
Order Pronounced on: 08,01.2025 Coram: Hon'ble Ms. Lakshmi Gurung, Member (Judicial) Hon'ble Sh. Charanjeet Singh Gulati (Technical) (OMPANY,
CMBAI BENC
Appearances: For the Applicant: Adv. Abhismita Goswami Per: Sh. Charanjeet Singh Gulati, Member (Technical)
1 The present Application has been filed under Section 33(3) r.w. 60(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 hereinafter referred to as "the Code" by Mr. Vishnu Kant Kabra (Liquidator/Applicant) seeking the following reliefs: - "a. Delay if any in filing the present Application be condoned; b. Pass an order to allow the present application and initiate the liquidation proceedings of the Corporate Debtor; C. Take on record the FORM AA ie., written consent to act as liquidator for Corporate Debtor and allow the Applicant to act as the liquidator upon initiation of the liquidation proceedings; d In the alternative direct the CoC to consider the agendas in the 13th CoG "
Brief Facts 2. The Company Petition No. 289 of 2022 was filed by the Financial Creditor i.e., Glamour India Pvt. Ltd. as per Section 7 of the Code to initiate Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process ("CIRP") against the Corporate Debtor i.., Shree Sai OTO Tube Mills Limited. The abovementioned Company Petition was admitted by this Tribunal vide its order dated 08.04.2022 and as per the provisions of section 14 of the Code, moratorium was issued against the Corporate Debtor. Accordingly, the Applicant i.., Vishnu Kant Kabra was åppointed as the Interìm Resolution Professional hereinafter referred to as ("IRP") by this Tribunal. fare NATcIOOHM PAN
MUMBA BENCY
3 Inc ompliance with Section 13 and 15 of the Code read with Regulation 6o f Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations 2016, public announcement was made on 10.05.2022 in Free Press, Mumbai Edition (English Newspaper) and Navshakti, Mumbai Edition (Marathi Newspaper) to disclose that the CIRP had been initiated against the Corporate Debtor and calling the Creditors to submit their proof of claims.
Committee of Creditors Meetings 4. The 1 Committee of Creditors ("CoC") Meeting was conducted on 09.06.2022, where the Applicant constituted the CoC with one Financial Creditor i.e., Glamour India Private Limited, whereas, the claim of another Financial Creditor i.e., Canara Bank was under verification. In the same meeting, the IRP was appointed as the Resolution Professional ("RP") with 100% voting share. As per the minutes of the 1* CoC Meeting annexed, the IRP being the Chairman of the Meeting stated that, 2 claims were received from the Financial Creditors namely Glamour India Private Limited and Canara Bank and one Operational Creditor namely State Tax Department. However, due to the non-availability of Canara Bank's supporting documents, their clainm was under verification, due to which Canara Bank did not have any voting rights at the CoC Meeting. Therefore, Glamour India Private Limited was the only Financial Creditor to form the CoC. The claims received from Financial Creditors and Operational Creditor by the IRP have been reproduced from the minutes as follows:
Sr. Type of Name of Claim Claims Claim Voting No. Creditors Creditor Received verified by Status Percentage (Amount IRP till date in Cr.) of constitution NATION T
MUMB BENC of Committee (Amount in Cr.) 1. Financial Glamour 155.09 155.09 Verified & 100% Creditor India confirmed Private Limited 2. Financial Canara 130.59 Under Under Creditor Bank verification verification 3. Operational State Tax 2.02 2.02 Verified &% NA Creditor Department confirmed
5. In the 2nd CoC Meeting conducted on 20.07.2022, the RP proposed the appointment of a Transactional Auditor to ascertain Avoidance Transactions as per section 43,45,50 or 66 of the Code. As per the minutes of the meeting, the RP placed quotations received from 3 companies to conduct the Transaction Audit of Shree Sai OTO Tubes Mill Limited for the last 2 Financial Years. The lowest quote was proposed by Jain Vinay & Associates who were appointed as the Transactional Auditor of the Corporate Debtor by passing the following resolution:
"RESOLVED FURTHER THAT M/s Jain Vinay && Associates bid was the lowest bid among all the bids produced before CoC and therefore the CoC has appointed them as Transactional Auditor of Shree Sai Oto Tubes Mill Limited (Corporate Debtor) for the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process)."
6. In the 3rd CoC Meeting conducted on 15.09.2022, the CoC was reconstituted, and Canara Bank was admitted as the Financial Creditor with 12.74% voting share. The reconstituted CoCa long with the verified and admitted claims have been listed below:
(OMPA8P
KUMBAI BENCH
Sr. No. Type of Creditors No. of Claims verified & Voting Claimants admitted by RP Percentage (Amount in Cr.) 1. Financial Creditor: 1 155,09,90,382 87.26% Glamour India Private Limited 2. Financial Creditor: 1 22,62,37,748 12.74% Canara Bank
7. As per the minutes of the 3rd CoC Meeting, the RP explained the need of Interim Finance' to the CoC Members and the severe difficulties faced by the Company as going concern due to insufficient funds in the accounts of Shree Sai Oto Tubes Mill Limited. Therefore, the Suspended Directors requested the RP in their letter dated 04.09.2022 to raise Interim Finance to run the Company as a going concern. Accordingly, approval was sought fromn CoC members for raising Interim Finance'. However, in the 4th CoC Meeting, with respect to raising Interim Finance, the following resolution was passed: -
R ESOLVE THAT, the Hon'ble NCLT has verbally directed the RP not top ass any resolution with regards to the Interim Finance and itw ill be kept in abeyance till the next order given by Hon'ble NCLT bench "
8. The 4th CoC Meeting was conducted on 11.10.2022 in which it was decided that RP shall publish the invitation for Expression of Interest (Eol) in Form G as per Regulation 36A of CIRP Regulations in leading newspapers. 9. The 5th CoC Meeting was conducted on 31.10.2022, wherein the CoC decided to approve the extension of the CIRP Period by 90 days beyond the period of 180 days, Pursuant to this decision of the CoC, the RP filed l. AUMBA 8ENCH an Interlocutory Application No. 3317 of 2022 as per section 12(2) of the Code read with Regulation 40 of the CIRP Regulations for extension of 90 days beyond 180 days for computing the CIRP of the Corporate Debtor. As per Interim Order dated 13.12.2022, the Counsel for the Applicant submitted that the Final Order initiating CIRP against the Corporate Debtor was passed on 08.04.2022 which was uploaded on 05.05.2022, however, the Order was communicated to the Applicant on 10.05.2022. In the same Interim Order, the Applicant was also seeking an exclusion of 22 days. 10. Meanwhile, Canara Bank who were aggrieved by the limited admission of their claim by the Applicant, filed an Interlocutory Application No. 1961 of 2022. The Tribunal allowed this application on 02.03.2023 and Canara Bank's voting percentage in the CoC increased to 45.71%. The revised voting percentage among the creditors has been reproduced below: -
Sr. No. Type of Creditors No. of Claims verified &% Voting Claimants admitted by RP Percentage (Amount in Cr.) 1. Financial Creditor: 1 155,09,90,382 54.29% Glamour India Private Limited 2. Financial Creditor: 1 130,59,00,000 45.71% Canara Bank
11. The 6ih CoC Meeting was conducted on 13.03.2023, wherein the Applicant raised the following agendas for voting: - a To approve further 30d ays' time for submission of Resolution Plan. b) To approve to grant time to other PRAs to submit Eol. c) To approve re-published Form G.
MUMBA BENC d) To approve extension of moratorium of CIRP by additional 60 days in addition.
12. Glamour India Pvt. Ltd. voted in favour of all the agendas, whereas Canara Bank had a dissenting vicw for all the above-mentioned agendas. The Applicant submitted that, the agendas were rejected by Canara Bank despite that there were prospective bidders willing to give their plans.
13. The Applicant further submitted that the present petition was filed for seeking liquidation of the Corporate Debtor under section 33 of the Code because the applicant did not receive appropriate approvals from the CoC and also that the time period prescribed under the Code had come to an end.
14. The Applicant placed on record the Valuation Report by way of an Additional Affidavit dated 26.11.2024 in compliance with Interim Order dated 06.09.2024. The Valuation Reports procured from the IBBI Registered Valuers annexed in the Additional Affidavit giving details of following assets along with their Fair Value and Liquidation Value. Sr. No. Name Category 1 Pensar Valuation Private Limited SFA 2 Mohit Sagar SFA 3. Pensar Valuation Private Limited Land & Building 4. Anil Kumar Saxena Land & Building 5. Pensar Valuation Private Limited Plant & Machinery Ompal Singh Plant & Machinery
15. The present Application has been filed as per Section 33 (3) of the Code, for initiating liquidation proceedings against the Corporate Debtor. In the present case, originally the CIRP period expired on 13.12.2022, however, after grant of 90 days' extension, the CIRP period expired on 15.03.2023. In the 6th CoC Meeting, the resolution for extension of the CIRP period
IUMBA 8ENCH was put up for voting before the CoC Members which was not passed by the requisite majority of 66% as laid down under the Code. At present, the period for CIRP has expired and no Resolution Plan has been received.
16. The following Interlocutory Applications are pending before this Tribunal under the C.P. No. 289 of 2022: Interlocutory Application No. Section & Regulation 2068 of 2023 Filed under 30(6) of the Code by Canara Bank 4431 of 2023 Filed under 60(5)(c) of the Code r.w. Regulation 33 & 34 of the CIRP Regulations by Mr. Vishnu Kant Kabra 17. Although no resolution has been passed in the CoC Meeting for initiating liquidation against the Corporate Debtor, we are of the considered opinion that after adhering to the law laid down under the Code, in natural consequence, the Corporate Debtor shall be admitted for liquidation with the following directions:
ORDER a The Corporate Debtor is directed to be liquidated in accordance with the provisions of the IBC and applicable regulations.
b. We note that the written consent of the Insolvency Professional along with Authorization for Assignment has been annexed to the present application, however we shall appoint an Insolvency Professional from the IBBI Panel. We hereby appoint Mr. Ritesh R Mahajan bearing Registration No. IBBI/IPA-002/IP NOO048/2017-2018/1 0132 and having address at; B-203, Devgiri, Ganeshmala Sinhagad Road, Pune, Maharashtra -411030, cOMPANY
MUNNBA BENCY as the Liquidator in terms of Section 34 of the Code. His Authorization for Assignment is valid up to 31.12.2025.
The fees entitled to the Liquidator shall be as per Regulation 4(3) of C the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016.
d. Registry is directed to send a copy of the order to the Registrar of Companies, Mumbai and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, e. A fresh moratorium shall commence under Section 33(5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
f. This order shall be deemed to be a notice of discharge tot he officers, employees and the workmen of the Corporate Debtor as per Section 33(7) of the IBC Code, 2016.
The Liquidator is directed to proceed with the process of liquidation as laid down under Chapter II of the Part II of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016.
h The Liquidator shall submit a Preliminary Report to the Adjudicating Authority within seventy-five days from the liquidation commencement date as per Regulation 13 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Liquidation Process) regulations, 2016.
i. The Liquidator appointed under section 34 of the Code shall have all the powers of the Board of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and the existing Board of the Corporate Debtor, the Key Managerial Persons and the partners shall cease toh ave effect. cMMPA UN4 BENC j. The personnel of the corporate debtor shall extend all co-operation to the Liquidator as required by him in managing the Liquidation process of the Corporate Debtor.
k. A copy of the said order shall be sent to the Financial Creditors. Corporate Debtors and the Liquidator for taking necessary steps. 18. While referring to Regulation 32(e) of the Liquidation Regulations which envisage the sale of the Corporate Debtor as a going concern, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Swiss Ribbons Put. Ltd. & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors. Writ Petition (Civtl) No. 99 of 2018, observed that:
W hat is interesting to note is that the Preamble does not, in any manner, refer to liquidation, which is only availed of as a last resort ifthere is either no resoution plan or the resolution plans submitted are not up to the mark. Even in liquidation, the liquidator can sell the business of the corporate debtor as a going concern. ... It can thus be seen that the primary focus of the legislatiorn is to ensure revival and continuation of the corporate debtor by protecting the corporate debtor from its own management and from a corporate death by liquidation." Accordingly, we suggest that, in order to maximise the value of the Corporate Debtor's assets, the Liquidator shall endeavour to explore the viability of selling the business of the Corporate Debtor as a going concern under clauses (e) or () of Regulation 32 of Liquidation Regulations, as the case may be.
19. Inv iew of the above, prayer at clause (a), (b) and (c) stand allowed. Since prayer (d) is an alternative prayer, same stands dismissed in view of other prayers in the application being allowed. (OMPANY
UMBA BENCH
20. Accordingly, the I.A. No. 4441 of 2023 in C.P. No. 289 of 2022 is allowed in above terms.
Sd/ Sd/ Charanjeet Singh Gulati Lakshmi Gurung Member (Technical) Member (Judicial) Vaishnavi, LRA
Certified True Copy 24lo1/g2s Date of Application. Number of Pages. fare Fee Paid Rs.. collc tion copy ogellrag OM Appiicant called for g0/oi/2e2 Copy preparcd on. 3olle21 Copy Issued on MUMBA BENCY
Deputy Rgistrar Naional Company Law Tribunal, MumbaiB ench
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