Miss Lucy
← All judgments

In the matter of Syndbank Services Limited

National Company Law Tribunal25 July 2023

Ratio decidendi

The rule this decision rests on

The Adjudicating Authority may order the dissolution of a corporate person under Section 59 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, where the Liquidator has completed the voluntary liquidation, the affairs of the corporate person have been wholly wound up, its assets have been liquidated, and nothing remains to be liquidated, such that the requirements of Section 59 and Regulation 37(2) of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017 are satisfied from the commencement of the liquidation.

Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.

Judgment

As delivered

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNALSPECIAL BENCH, BENGALURU(through web-based video conferencing platform)(Exercising powers of Adjudicating Authority underthe Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016)C.P. (IB)No.41/BB/2023U/s 59 (7) of the IBC, 2016R/w IBBI (Voluntary LiquidationProcess) Regulations, 2017In the matter of:Syndbank Services LimitedRepresented by Mr. Ganesh Panduranga Pai,Liquidator of Syndbank Services Ltd.112, JC Road, First Floor,Canteen Block, Head Office,Canara BankBangalore – 560 002. - ApplicantVERSUSThe Registrar of Companies, Karnataka‘E’ Wing, 2nd Floor,Kendriya Sadana, 17th Cross,Koramangala,Bengaluru - 560 034. - Respondent

Order delivered on: 25.07.2023 CORAM: 1. Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) T. Krishnavalli, Member (Judicial) 2. Hon’ble Ms. Anu Jagmohan Singh, Member (Technical)

Parties/Counsels Present: Applicant/Liquidator : Shri Ganesh Pai

O R D E R

Per: T. Krishnavalli, Member (Judicial)

1. The instant Company Petition is filed on 16.02.2023 by Syndbank Services Ltd. represented by Mr. Ganesh Panduranga Pai, Liquidator of Syndbank Services Ltd. (‘Applicant’), under Section 59 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, r/w the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017 by inter alia seeking a direction

C.P. (IB) No.41/BB/2023 for dissolution of the Company, namely, Syndbank Services Ltd. with effect from the date of order by this Adjudicating Authority. 2. Syndbank Services Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Corporate Person/the Company”) is a public Company incorporated on 25.01.2006, bearing CIN:U72300KA2006PLC038305, having its registered office at 112, JC Road, First Floor, Canteen Block, Head Office, Canara Bank, Bengaluru-560002. Its Authorized Capital is Rs.10,00,00,000/- and paid up Equity Share Capital is Rs.25,00,000/-. 3. The following averments have been made in the Petition: i. It is stated that the Company convened a meeting of Board of Directors wherein the Board of Directors approved the Declaration of Solvency as stipulated under Section 59(3) of the Code which was later duly signed and verified by affirmation. The Directors of the Company in compliance of Section 59(3) of the Code, r/w Regulation 3(4) of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017 have given declarations. Further, the Directors have declared that they have made full inquiry into the affairs of the Company and have formed the opinion that the Company has enough resources to clear the unsettled liabilities and contingent liabilities as on 30th April, 2022; the Company is solvent and the Company is not being liquidated to defraud any person.

ii. The Company held an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting on 22.06.2022 and passed a Special Resolution to voluntarily liquidate the Company and appoint Mr. Ganesh Panduranga Pai, Insolvency Professional, having registration number IBBI/IPA-001/IP-P01313/2018-2019/12054 to act as a Liquidator for the same.

iii. It is also stated that the intimation regarding commencement of Voluntary Liquidation Process was given to IBBI for their information and perusal. The publication of Public announcement was also duly notified to the IBBI for publication on the website.

iv. The audited Financial Statements of the Company for the year 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 (page no.148 of the Petition) along with the Auditor’s Report has been filed by the Petitioner.

v. The commencement of Liquidation and appointment of Liquidator was intimated to the ROC in form MGT-14 and GNL-2 on 20.07.2022 and 01.08.2022 (for submission of documents).

C.P. (IB) No.41/BB/2023 vi. Public Announcement (Regulation 14 of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017) - The Liquidator made a Public Announcement of commencement of Liquidation in Form A, in “The Financial Express”, English Newspaper and “Hosadigantha”, Kannada Newspaper on 24.06.2022 seeking submission of the claim by Stakeholders on or before 21.07.2022.

vii. List of stakeholders (Regulation 30 of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017) - The last date of submission of claims, if any was 21st July 2022. The Applicant had received a claim from the Canara Bank Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Branch-II on 16th July, 2022. Based on the verification of books and claim received from the Canara Bank Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), for the Company, the Applicant made payment to the Creditor.

viii. Preliminary Report, (Regulation 8 (1) of Chapter IV of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017) - The Liquidator submitted the preliminary report to the Company on 05.08.2022.

ix. Opening of Bank Account (Regulation 34 of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017) - The Bank account was opened with Canara Bank and the said account was closed on 17.01.2023.

x. As per provisions of Section 178 of Income Tax Act, 1961 - The Liquidator has intimated the commencement of Liquidation and appointment of Liquidator to the Income Tax Authority on 28.06.2022. With regard to the NOC from Income Tax Dept., it is stated that there is no requirement of NOC from Income Tax Dept. and it is not applicable by virtue of IBBI circular dated 15th November 2021.

xi. Final Report – (Regulations 38 of the IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017) - The Liquidator had the accounts audited for the liquidation period and submitted his final report on 25.01.2023. In connection with the accounts of the liquidation, the CA Certificate showing receipts and payments account for the period from 08.07.2022 to 17.01.2023 is as follows:

C.P. (IB) No.41/BB/2023

Particulars Amount (Rs.)

Opening Bank Balance as at 08th July, 10,00,000 2022

Balance Amount transferred from the 5,16,023 account number 04001010011687 and 9921201005895 respectively

Transfer of Term Deposit amount from 2,85,00,000 SyndBank Services Ltd. on redemption

Interest received from Term Deposit 59,128

Income Tax refund for the A.Y. 2022-23 9,09,421 and A.Y. 2019-20

Interest on Income Tax Refund 13,036

Refund of rental advance from SK 84,000 Pattnaik

Total 3,10,81,608

Payments

Amount paid to Mr. Ganesh P. Pai 4,59,000 towards liquidation fees

Amount paid to BWSSB towards Claims 13,73,471

Amount paid towards Professional Fees 1,22,358 and Audit Fees

Amount paid towards TDS payment 26,68,088

Amount paid towards salary, staff 16,84,295 welfare, monthly allowance and reimbursement of expenses

Amount paid towards DMAT account 36,471 maintenance charges, printing & Stationary and Membership & Subscription

Amount paid towards Bank charges and 73,837 Penal Interest on prematurity of Term Deposit

Amount paid towards repatriation to 2,46,64,088 Shareholders

Total 3,10,81,608

C.P. (IB) No.41/BB/2023 xii. The final report of the Liquidating Company was submitted with the ROC and IBBI on 08.02.2023 and 25.01.2023.

4. Heard the learned Counsel for the Applicant. We have carefully perused the pleadings of the party and extant provisions of the Code, and the Regulations made thereunder. 5. According to the above discussion, the affairs of the Corporate Person have been completely wound up and its assets have been liquidated and nothing remains to be liquidated. Thus, the compliances of Section 59 and other relevant provisions of the IBC, 2016 r/w. Regulation 37(2) of IBBI (Voluntary Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2017, from the date of commencement of the liquidation proceedings is completed. Hence, we are of the considered opinion that the Corporate Person, through its Liquidator, has been voluntarily liquidated. 6. In view of the foregoing Syndbank Services Limited, Applicant Company is hereby dissolved with effect from the date of the present order. A copy of this order be filed with the ROC within the fourteen days. 7. The Petition C.P. (IB) No.41/BB/2023 is accordingly allowed in the above terms.

Sd/- Sd/- (ANU JAGMOHAN SINGH) (T. KRISHNAVALLI) MEMBER (TECHNICAL) MEMBER (JUDICIAL)

C.P. (IB) No.41/BB/2023

This page reproduces a public judgment and a summary of it. It is research material, not legal advice, and it is no substitute for advice from an advocate on your own facts.

Research this judgment with Miss Lucy

Ask what it holds, what has followed it, and what it means for your matter — in plain English, with the citations.

Try Miss Lucy free