In the matter of Unimark Remedies Ltd.
- CitationIA-921-2019 in CP(IB)-197-MB-2018
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The applicants, being promoters of the Corporate Debtor, have no locus standi to file an application that, in substance, seeks to oppose a CoC-approved resolution plan pending before the Adjudicating Authority, and such an application is liable to be dismissed on that ground. The Adjudicating Authority is not bound to order a fresh valuation at the instance of any party before approving a CoC-approved resolution plan under Section 31; it remains open to the Authority to satisfy itself on the plan and the valuation as approved by the Committee of Creditors when deciding whether to approve the plan.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
For the Respondent: Ms. Pooja Mahajan a/w Ms. Mahima Singh, Ms. Arveena Sharma & Mr. Jineshkumar Gandhi i/b Arihant Associates, Advocates. Mr. Amit Gupta, RP present in person.
MUMBAI BENCH : C-IV IA-921/2019 in CP(IB)-197/MB/2018
O R D E R
Per: Kishore Vemulapalli, Member (Judicial)
1. This is an application filed by Mr. Mehul Parekh and Mr. Sandip Parekh (promoters of the Corporate Debtor) seeking intervention of this Bench on the valuation of the Corporate Debtor alleging it to have been determined at lower value. The applicants have submitted that if the relief prayed in the application is not granted, the creditors and employees of the Corporate Debtor will suffer irreparable harm.
2. The applicants have also stated certain facts that demonstrating how the value of Corporate Debtor is determined lower.
3. We have perused the Application and heard the Counsel. At the outset, we feel that Applicants have no locus to file this application which is indirectly intended to oppose the CoC approved resolution plan pending before us in MA-23/2019.
4. We further note that Hon’ble NCLAT in Appeal No. 418/2020 declined to interfere with the order dated 20.01.2020 passed by Court-5 of Mumbai Bench of NCLT whereby fresh decision for fresh valuation, limited to intangible assets was challenged. The Hon’ble NCLAT held that “as no party has a right to say whether the Adjudicating Authority should go for further valuation before approval of the plan or not and it is open to the Adjudicating Authority to satisfy itself of the plan approved by the Committee of Creditors, to ascertain whether to approve the plan under Section 31 of the I&B Code or not. As the matter is pending since long, we hope that the Adjudicating Authority
17.04.2023/pvs
MUMBAI BENCH : C-IV IA-921/2019 in CP(IB)-197/MB/2018 (NCLT), Mumbai Bench will pass appropriate order under Section 31 in the application taking into consideration the valuation and the plan as approved by the Committee of Creditors”.
5. Further an order dated 19.11.2020 was passed by the Bench in IA- 1141/2020, which was an application of Corporation Bank holding about 7% of shares. Vide this order, the order dated 20.01.2020 was reaffirmed by this Bench. We note that this order was again challenged in Appeal No. 1120/2020 before NCLAT and it held vide its order dated 23 December 2020 that - “It appears to us that it was not appropriate to keep shuttling the matter on an issue on which the Resolution Professional has acted after the Orders were passed by the third Hon’ble Member. The Corporation Bank had objections with regard to the valuation done earlier and thereafter another Valuer has been appointed and it appears that Report has been filed. Still Appellant is objecting. When such developments have taken place, on technical issues, we do not intend to interfere with the Impugned Order.”
6. In view of the above decision of Hon’ble NCLAT upholding valuation of intangible only and declining to interfere any further in the interest of Corporate Debtor, the present application is hereby dismissed.
Sd/- Sd/- PRABHAT KUMAR KISHORE VEMULAPALLI MEMBER (TECHNICAL) MEMBER (JUDICIAL)
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