Jaypee Infratech Limited Through Its ... vs Jaiprakash Associates Limited
- CitationCompany Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 507 of 2023
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
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
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