Miss Lucy
← All judgments

Jaypee Infratech Limited Through Its ... vs Jaiprakash Associates Limited

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal4 November 2025Ashok Bhushan

Ratio decidendi

The rule this decision rests on

Where an interim or final appellate order directs release of a deposited sum to a party without fixing any time for payment and without providing that interest accrues on the sum if payment is delayed, the party is not entitled to interest on that sum for the period between the order and actual receipt, and the delay in disbursement by the registry, which took time for formalities such as indemnities and clarifications, does not of itself create such an entitlement. Where the appellate tribunal has finally held that a deposited sum along with its accrued interest belongs to the other party, and has set aside the lower authority's direction for proportionate interest on the applicant's receivable, the applicant cannot later claim interest on the amount it is entitled to receive out of that sum merely because of delay in its release, absent any direction in the orders for interest or a fixed payment period.

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

Judgment

As delivered

NATIONAL COMPANY LAW APPELLATE TRIBUNAL,PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHII.A. No. 3175 of 2025 inCompany Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 507 of 2023

IN THE MATTER OF: Jaypee Infratech Ltd. Through its Implementation and Monitoring Committee ...Appellant

Versus

Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. ...Respondent

Present:

For Appellant : Mr. Sumant Batra, Mr. Sanjay Bhatt, Mr. Sarthak Bhandari, Ms. Riya Kaur Arora, Advocates. For Respondents : Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Piyush Beriwal, Ms. Ruchita Srivastava, Ms. Nidhi Mittal, Advocates for R-1. Mr. Vaijayant Paliwal, Mr. Nikhil Mathur, Advocates for R-2.

JUDGMENT

ASHOK BHUSHAN, J.

This application (IA No.3175 of 2025) is filed by the Applicant

(Appellant) praying for following directions:

"a. Allow the present Application; b. Give suitable direction to the Respondent No.1 to release

and disburse a sum of Rs. 15.15 crore (INR 9.37 Crores accrued on INR 277.41 Crores for the period from 07.03 .2023 to 20.10.2023 + INR 5. 78 Crores accrued on INR 265.21 Crores for the period from 07.03 .2023 up to 05.08.2023) into the bank account of the Applicant;

c. Alternatively, Issue necessary directions to the Ld. Adjudicating Authority to list and pass appropriate orders in IA No. 3625 of 2024;

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 1 d. Pass any other/further order(s) which may be deemed fit and proper in the fact and circumstances of the present case."

2. Brief facts necessary to be noticed for deciding the Application are:

(i) Jaypee Infratech Ltd. ("JIL") is a real estate company engaged

in construction of various residential/ commercial projects.

Jaiprakash Associated Ltd. ("JAL") is a holding company of

Jaypee Infratech Ltd.

(ii) Various homebuyers of Jaypee Infratech Ltd. filed Writ

Petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution of India in the

Hon'ble Supreme Court namely Chitra Sharma and Ors. vs.

Union of India and Ors. In the Writ Petition (Civil) No.744 of

2017, the Hon'ble Supreme Court passed an interim order

directing JAL to deposit Rs.2000 crores in the registry of the

Hon'ble Supreme Court. JAL, holding company of JIL

deposited Rs.750 crores. The Hon'ble Supreme Court

disposed of the writ petition by judgment dated 09.08.2018

directing that amount of Rs.750 crores deposited in the Court

together with interest accrued thereon be transferred to NCLT

and continue to remain invested and shall abide by such

directions as may be issued by the NCLT.

(iii) The Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process ("CIRP") against

the JIL had commenced on 09.08.2017 on an application filed

by IDBI Bank. Before the NCLT, JIL and JAL filed

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 2 applications seeking appropriation of the amount deposited in

the NCLT, which was to be paid respectively to JIL and JAL.

NCLT vide order dated 07.03.2023 decided the application

filed by JIL and JAL directing for appropriation of Rs.750

crores. It is relevant to notice paragraphs 110-111 of order

dated 07.03.2023, which are as follows:

"110. It is further objected by JAL that the Resolution plan interferes with the Reconciliation process of Rs 750 Crore, which has been conducted in terms of the Judgement of Hon'ble Supreme Court passed in the Jaypee Kensington and which is adjudicated by this Adjudicating Authority under IA-2593/2021. It is stated by JAL that the following clauses in the Resolution Plan interfere with the reconciliation process:

"Clause 34.5: Upon approval of this Resolution Plan by the Adjudicating Authority and payment as per treatment provided hereinabove under the Resolution Plan, all shareholder agreements, voting covenants, negative or affirmative rights of any person in relation to the operations and/or management of the Corporate Debtor, any right to appoint/ nominate/ terminate any director, management, employee of the Corporate Debtor, any option on the shares of the Corporate Debtor etc. shall become infructuous and the Claim with respect to the application monies received including Rs. 212 crores received from JAL for any securities shall stand forfeited, without any consequence on the Corporate Debtor or the Resolution Applicants."

(Emphasis supplied)

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 3 "Clause 35: Issue directions to JAL to make immediate payment of the outstanding amounts of Rs. 71 crore, as per the audited balance sheet of the Corporate Debtor dated March 31, 2021, payable by JAL to the Corporate Debtor, with respect to outstanding consideration for lands of the Corporate Debtor sub-leased to the lenders of JAL, as these funds also can be utilised for expediting the construction for Homebuyers. It is clarified that this relief is not linked to reconciliation directed by Hon'ble Supreme Court in Jaypee Kensington Judgement and is sought independently, in the interest of justice."

[Suraksha Plan, internal p. 137] (Emphasis supplied)

111. It is stated by JAL that the SRA has no right whatsoever to participate in the reconciliation process or to give treatment to the amount in the Resolution plan which is a subject matter of the Reconciliation Process. Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court made it clear in the Jaypee Kensington (at para 224) that the reconciliation process and the approval of the resolution plan were to be kept separate and that the process of approval of the resolution plan was not to be made dependent on the outcome of the reconciliation process."

(iv) Both, JAL and JIL filed Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) Nos.302

and 507 of 2023 respectively, challenging order dated

07.03.2023 and this Tribunal vide its judgment and order

dated 28.08.2023 decided both the Appeal(s) and directions

issued by NCLT were modified. It is useful to notice

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 4 paragraphs 51, 52 and 53 wherein following was held by this

Tribunal:

"51. In Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 302 of 2023, we have taken the view that direction of the Adjudicating Authority in Para 111 for payment of proportionate interest to the JIL on its receivables is unsustainable. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 302 of 2023 thus deserves to be partly allowed setting aside the direction of the Adjudicating Authority in Para 111 to make payment of proportionate interest on the receivables by JIL. Other prayers of the Appellant in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 302 of 2023 are rejected.

52. Coming to Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 507 of 2023, we have taken the view that finding of issues no.

(a), (d) and (e) (as contained in Para 13 of the impugned order) deciding issues in favour of JAL are unsustainable. The JAL was not entitled to adjust/deduct aforesaid amounts from the amount receivable by JIL. We notice that the Adjudicating Authority in operative portion of the order in Paras 109 to 111 has ultimately not deducted or adjusted the aforesaid amounts from the amount receivable by JIL.

The direction issued by the Adjudicating Authority in Para 109, 110 and 111 are affirmed except the direction to proportionate interest, as indicated above. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 507 of 2023 is thus disposed of holding that findings of Adjudicating Authority on Issues No. (a), (b), (d) and (e) are unsustainable.

53. We make it clear that our observations and findings in this order pertain only to appropriation from the amount of Rs.750 Crores deposited under the orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Chitra Sharma's Case and they have no bearing on the CIRP process of the Corporate Debtor which has to be conducted in

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 5 accordance with the I&B Code and Regulations framed thereunder."

(v) In Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.302 of 2023, an interim

order was passed on 16.03.2023 wherein learned Senior

Counsel for the JAL submitted that he does not have any

dispute if the amount of Rs.265.21 crores be released to the

Monitoring Committee. In paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 following

was directed:

"4. Dr. Singhvi in support of the Appeal contended that the Adjudicating Authority by the impugned order dated 07.03.2023 which was passed in I.A. No. 2593 of 2021 and I.A. No. 631 of 2022 has not correctly interpreted the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in "Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Association & Ors. vs. NBCC (India) Ltd. & Ors., Civil Appeal No. 3395/2020". Learned counsel for the Appellant submits that it was clearly held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court that Rs.750 Crore which was deposited by the Appellant with accrued interest is asset of the Appellant. It is submitted that insofar as amount of Rs.106.90 Crore which was towards Interest Free Maintenance Deposit, without prejudice to its contentions, the said amount may be released in an escrow account to be maintained by the Monitoring Committee. Dr. Singhvi further submitted that the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court clearly intended for reconciliation of the amount between the Appellant and the JIL and the findings which were recorded in favour of the Appellant at paras 12, 40, 60, 72 and 77 have not been given effect in the impugned order in operative paras 109 to 111. However, he submits that as on date, he does not dispute that apart from the amount which

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 6 was held in favour of the Appellant, the Appellant has no objection to release of the amount to the Monitoring Committee i.e. amount of Rs.265.21 Crore.

5. In view of the aforesaid, we issue notice in the Appeal. Let Reply be filed by the Respondents within two weeks. Rejoinder be filed within two weeks thereafter.

6. In the meantime, in pursuance of the impugned order passed by the Adjudicating Authority dated 07.03.2023, there shall be release of an amount of Rs.106.90 Crores on account of Interest Free Maintenance Deposit to be kept in an escrow account maintained by the Monitoring Committee and an amount of Rs.265.21 Crores to the Monitoring Committee (for J.I.L)."

(vi) After the interim order passed by this Tribunal on

16.03.2023, the Applicant wrote to the Deputy Registrar of

the NCLT Allahabad (Prayagraj) with whom the amount was

deposited, to release the amount. The amount of Rs.265.21

crores was released by the Registry of the NCLT on

05.08.2023. As noted above, the Appeal was finally decided

by this Tribunal on 28.08.2023 and in the final decision the

direction in the order of NCLT insofar as receivable by JIL was

affirmed. However, the direction issued by the NCLT to pay

the proportionate interest on the receivable by the JIL was set

aside. It was held that Rs.750 crores and interest on the said

amount were all assets of the JAL, who had deposited the

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 7 amount and JIL was only entitled for amount as determined

by the NCLT.

(vii) After the final order dated 28.08.2023, a letter was written to

the Registry of NCLT Allahabad Bench on 18.10.2023 signed

both by JIL and JAL, where they requested for release of the

amount to JIL and JAL respectively. It was claimed in the

letter that JAL and JIL have amicably resolved their

outstanding dispute regarding Rs.750 crores and the amount

payable to JIL along with interest accrued after the order

dated 07.03.2023 till 05.08.2023 be given to JIL.

(viii) The present application has been filed by the Applicant

praying for directions as noted above.

3. In the IA, notices were issued by this Tribunal on 30.05.2025.

Respondent No.1 to the application i.e. Deputy Registrar, NCLT Allahabad

Bench as well as JAL (Respondent No.2) filed their affidavits, to which a

reply has also been filed by the Applicant.

4. We have heard Shri Sumant Batra, learned Counsel appearing for

the Applicant; Shri Apoorv Kurup, learned Senior Counsel appearing for

Respondent No.1; and Shri Vaijayant Paliwal and Shri Nikhil Mathur,

learned Counsel appearing for Respondent No.2.

5. Shri Sumant Batra, learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that

when interim order was passed on 16.03.2023 by this Tribunal in

Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.302 of 2023, the JIL became entitled to

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 8 receive the amount of Rs.265.21 crores, which amount could be paid only

on 05.08.2023, hence, the JIL was entitled to interest from 07.03.2023 to

05.08.2023. It is further submitted that after final decision in the Appeal

on 28.08.2023, the Applicant could receive the amount only on

01.02.2024, hence, the Applicant was entitled for interest from

28.08.2023 till 01.02.2024, when it received the amount. It is submitted

that the said amount of interest, which ought to have been paid to JIL

has been released by the Registry of the NCLT in favour of JAL. It is

submitted that although the amount, which was paid to the JIL as per

order of NCLT and NCLAT as per entitlement of JIL, has been paid, but

the amount of interest from the date of interim order as well as from the

final judgment has not been paid to the Applicant. Hence, the application

has been filed for seeking directions. It is submitted that amount has

been paid by the Registry after taking indemnity from both the parties,

hence the amount paid to JAL, which was entitlement of Applicant,

should be directed to be refunded back to JIL.

6. Learned Counsel appearing for Respondent No.1 submitted that the

amount deposited with NCLT as per order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court

of Rs.750 crores with accrued interest was kept in Fixed Deposit ("FD")

and the entire amount, which was deposited with the NCLT Allahabad

Bench has been released in favour of JIL and JAL as per their

entitlement. No amount is left with the NCLT Allahabad Bench and entire

amount has been paid as per their entitlement and as per order of NCLT

Allahabad Bench dated 07.03.2023 and as modified by this Tribunal vide

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 9 its judgment dated 28.08.2023. It is submitted that after the order of

NCLT dated 07.03.2023, the interim order passed in this Appeal by

NCLAT and after asking for various details and information from JIL and

JAL, the amount of Rs.265.21 crores as directed in the interim order by

this Tribunal was released to JIL on 05.08.2023. The time taken in

releasing the amount was due to completing necessary formalities,

including indemnity certificate etc. After the final judgment of this

Tribunal on 28.08.2023, both JIL and JAL were asked to complete

necessary formalities for releasing the amount and the balance amount as

per their entitlement was released. The amount to which JAL was entitled

was also released along with accrued interest. Since, as per order of this

Tribunal dated 28.08.2023, JIL was not entitled for any interest, no

interest was paid to JIL.

7. Learned Counsel appearing for Respondent No.2 (JAL) also

submitted that JAL has received the amount, which was entitlement of

the JAL as per order of the NCLT and NCLAT as noted above. In respect

of the interest on amount of Rs.750 crores, which was deposited by JAL,

the same was upheld by this Tribunal and JAL has received the amount

along with interest accrued and there was no error in the respective

payments to JIL and JAL.

8. We have considered the submissions of learned Counsel for the

parties and have perused the record.

9. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) Nos. 302 and 507 of 2023, in which

final judgment was delivered on 28.08.2023, the present IA has been filed.

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 10 The issues in the application also involved intendment of the order with

regard to entitlement of JIL and JAL. We have entertained the

application, issued notice so that issues raised by the Applicant are

decided. Shri Sumant Batra, learned Counsel for the Applicant submitted

that Applicant is not claiming any interest on its entitlement out of

Rs.750 crores, since it has already been held that amount of Rs.750

crores deposited by JAL, which amount along with accrued interest is the

assets of the JAL. The submission of Shri Suman Batra is that after the

NCLT determined the entitlement on 07.03.2023, the Applicant became

entitled to receive the amount as determined by the NCLT and thereafter,

an interim order was passed by this Tribunal in this Appeal and

thereafter final judgment. The entitlement as per interim order passed in

the Appeal, which is undisputed fact gave right to the Applicant to claim

interest at least from the said date. After interim order, which was passed

by this Tribunal on 16.03.2023, the Applicant could receive the amount

on 05.08.2023, hence, interest from 16.03.2023 to 05.08.2023 was clear

entitlement of the Applicant. Further, after final judgment on

28.08.2023, the balance amount could be paid only on 01.02.2024,

hence, the Applicant is entitled to interest during the said period. It is

submitted that the Applicant is not claiming any amount based on MoU

dated 18.10.2023 entered between JIL and JAL for its entitlement, nor it

is seeking interest from the Registry of NCLT on account of delay in

receiving the payment, but claim of the Applicant is founded upon the

entitlement as accrued by interim order dated 16.03.2023 and

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 11 28.08.2023. The Applicant has filed a rejoinder and reply to the affidavit

filed by Respondent No.1 and in paragraph-4 of the reply dated

25.10.2025, the Applicant has clearly pleaded regarding its entitlement.

Paragraph-4 of the Applicant's reply to Respondent No.1 affidavit is as

follows:

"4. At the outset, it is submitted that the Applicant is not claiming any amount based on the Memorandum of Understanding dated 18.10.2023 as seems to be suggested by the Ld. Registrar in his affidavit; the Applicant is seeking the interest on the amount it is entitled to receive as per the order dated 7.3.2023 passed by the Ld. NCLT and the order dated 28.08.2023 passed by this Hon'ble Tribunal. Read together, both orders entitle the Applicant to receive a sum of Rs. 542.62 crores out of Rs. 750 crore kept with the Registrar, NCLT (Allahabad Bench). This amount of Rs. 542.62 crores was however, released by the Registrar to Applicant on two tranches of Rs. 265.21 crores on 5.8.2023, and a sum of Rs. 277.41 crores on 1.02.2024. The Applicant is not seeking interest on account of delayed payment; it is seeking interest earned by the Registrar on the Fixed Deposit of this amount Rs. 265.21 crores and Rs.277.41 crores from date of NCLT order till date of release to it. The interest earned on this amount from the fixed deposit is the undisputed property of Applicant. The interest earned on this amount by Registrar is

(i) Rs.5.78 crores on Rs.265.21 crores for the period from 07.03.2023 (the date of the order of the Ld. Adjudicating Authority) till 05.08.2023 (the date of actual disbursement), and (ii) Rs. 13 .66 crore on Rs. Rs.277.41 crores for the period from 07.03.2023 to 01.02.2024. This amount could not have been released to Respondent No. 2, the Registrar's assertion that it has released the amount to Respondent No. 2 as per the order dated 7.3.2023 passed by the Ld. NCLT and the

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 12 order dated 16.03.2023 passed by this Hon'ble Tribunal, is contrary to the orders dated 7.3.2023 and 28.08.2023."

10. Thus, the question, which needs to be answered is as to whether

the Applicant is entitled for interest from 16.03.2023, when the interim

order was passed by this Tribunal in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.302

of 2023 directing for payment of Rs.265.21 crores to the Monitoring

Committee. When we look into the interim order, paragraphs 4, 5 and 6

as noted above, the statement of JAL was recorded that the "Appellant

has no objection to release the amount to the Monitoring Committee i.e.

amount of Rs.265.21 crores" and consequently direction for release was

issued. A perusal of the order indicates that no time-period was fixed by

this Tribunal for release of the amount by the Registry of NCLT, nor there

was any direction that amount, if not released in a particular time, the

entitlement of JIL for receiving the amount with interest shall arise.

11. There is no dispute that in pursuance of the interim order dated

16.03.2023, the amount of Rs.265.21 crores was released to the applicant

on 05.08.2023. The Applicant's case that he became entitled for the

interest on the aforesaid amount, which was directed to be released by

order dated 16.03.2023 from the date when order was passed, cannot be

accepted. This Tribunal did not fix any time limit for payment of the said

amount, nor directed for payment of any interest on the said amount from

any particular date. This Tribunal has already vide its judgment dated

28.08.2023 has finally decided that amount of Rs.750 crores along with

interest accrued is the assets of JAL and the direction of NCLT to give

proportionate interest on the entitlement of JIL was set aside. The order

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 13 of this Tribunal dated 28.08.2023 has become final. The entire basis of

application of the Applicant is that delay in receiving the payment, which

made the Applicant entitled for interest. It is submitted that after the

final judgment dated 28.08.2023, the amount could be paid only on

01.02.2024. Hence, for the said period the Applicant is entitled to

interest. In the final judgment dated 28.08.2023 also, this Tribunal while

deciding the Appeal finally, did not fix any time for payment, either to JIL

or JAL, nor issued any direction that JIL shall be paid interest in event

the amount is not paid in a particular time. Thus, clearly the interim

order dated 16.03.2023 as well as final order dated 28.08.2023 relied by

the Applicant, did not direct for any payment of interest or any fixed time

for payment to JIL. It is not disputed by the Applicant that Applicant has

received all its entitlement as per order of NCLT and NCLAT out of the

amount of Rs.750 crores. When there is no direction for payment of any

interest in the orders dated 16.03.2023 and 28.03.2023, nor any period

for payment having been fixed, we are not persuaded to accept the

submission that JIL was entitled to payment along with accrued interest

thereon, till the date when payment was received. The amount was

deposited in the Registry of the NCLT and the steps taken by Respondent

No.1 after receiving the order have been given in the affidavit filed by

Respondent No.1. Certain queries were raised by Respondent No.1 and

certain clarifications were asked and indemnities were asked for. Thus,

the time of few months were taken in releasing of the amount.

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 14

12. Learned Counsel for the Applicant also submitted that it is not

claiming interest from the Registry of NCLT, rather it is basing its claim

on its entitlement of interest. It is also not disputed that entire balance

amount along with accrued interest on the deposit has been released in

favour of JAL. We, thus, are of the view that prayers made in IA No.3175

of 2025, cannot be accepted. The Applicant having already received the

entire amount as determined by the NCLT and NCLAT out of the amount

of Rs.750 crores, no further directions are required. IA No.3175 of 2025

is accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

[Justice Ashok Bhushan] Chairperson

[Barun Mitra] Member (Technical)

NEW DELHI

4th November, 2025

Ashwani

IA No.3175 of 2025 in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.507 of 2023 15

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