Miss Lucy
← All judgments

Neuvera Wellness Ventures Pvt Ltd vs Scitec Ipari Es Kereskedelmi Kft

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal19 January 2024Ashok Bhushan

Ratio decidendi

The rule this decision rests on

The absence of a separate application for condonation of delay does not bar the Adjudicating Authority from condoning delay where the applicant has prayed for condonation in its application and given a reason for the delay. An Adjudicating Authority may restore a petition dismissed for non-prosecution, on peculiar facts, where the applicant's repeated non-appearance is explained by the illness of its counsel and by hospitalisation, and the authority grants a final opportunity on express terms that the petition will be dismissed again on a further default. The appellate tribunal will not interfere with an order restoring a petition under such circumstances where the restoration rests on a proper exercise of discretion considering all the facts and circumstances.

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

Judgment

As delivered

NATIONAL COMPANY LAW APPELLATE TRIBUNALPRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHICompany Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.99 of 2024& I.A. No. 281 of 2024IN THE MATTER OF:

Neuvera Wellness Ventures Pvt. Ltd. ...Appellant

Versus

Scitec Ipari es Kereskedelmi Kft. ...Respondent

Present: For Appellant: Present but appearance not marked.

For Respondent: Mr. Nikhil Palli, Advocate.

ORDER

(Hybrid Mode)

19.01.2024: Heard learned counsel for the Appellant. This Appeal has

been filed against order dated 03.09.2023 by which order I.A. No.869 of 2022

filed by the Respondent herein for restoration of the Company Petition, which

was dismissed for non-prosecution on 06.01.2022, has been allowed by the

Adjudicating Authority.

2. Learned counsel for the Appellant challenging the order submits that

the application was filed with delay of 52 days and there was no application

for condonation of delay. It is submitted that reply filed by the Appellant to

the application has not been considered and there was no explanation for non-

appearance for last four dates by the applicant.

3. We have considered the submissions of learned counsel for the

Appellant and perused the record.

Cont'd.../ -2-

4. Copy of the application has been brought on the record as Annexure K

to the appeal. In so far as delay condonation is concerned, applicant in Para

9 of the application has prayed following:

"9. The Applicant submits that any delay in filing this application should be condoned as the Advocate for the Applicant was hospitalized and restriction imposed due to Covid Pandemic."

5. There being prayer for condonation of delay, mere fact that no separate

application for condonation of delay has not been filed shall not prohibit the

Adjudicating Authority to condone the delay, which was prayed by the

applicant. The Adjudicating Authority has allowed the application in view of

the peculiar facts and circumstances, which has been observed in Para 7 of

the judgment. In Para 7 of the judgment following has been observed:

"7. This Bench finds that the Applicant was not present on 05.03.2021, 10.6.2021, 11.08.2021 and 08.09.21, accordingly, this bench dismissed the present matter for non-prosecution vide its order dated

6.1.2022. Thereafter, the present Application for restoration of CP could not be taken up on various occasions due to paucity of time or technical glitches. The matter was last taken up on 28.07.2023, wherein the parties were directed to complete the pleadings, however, the counsel for Corporate Debtor had not drawn the attention of this Bench, the CP already stands dismissed on 6.1.2022. Though, there have been consistent non-appearance(s) on the part of the Applicant, we also find that the Counsel was not medically fit when the order dismissing the petition Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.99 of 2024 -3-

came to be passed. Considering all these facts, this Bench consider that it shall be appropriate to grant one final opportunity to the Applicant to present its case, accordingly this Bench allows the present application, and order the restoration of C.P.(IB)3704/MB/2019 at its original number. It is clarified that this restoration is being allowed on peculiar facts of the case. The Applicant may note that this Petition shall be dismissed again if it fails to be represented on following date of hearings."

6. The non-appearance on four earlier dates plea of Covid has been taken

by the Applicant, it is also on the record that there was hospitalisation of

applicant for some period. Taking in consideration all facts and

circumstances, the Adjudicating Authority has allowed the restoration

application. In view of the aforesaid, in exercise of Appellate Jurisdiction this

this Tribunal may not interfere in the impugned order.

7. It is informed that 25.01.2024 has already been fixed in the matter. We

request the Adjudicating Authority to decide the Company Petition at an early

date. With these observations, we dismiss this appeal.

[Justice Ashok Bhushan] Chairperson

[Barun Mitra] Member (Technical)

[Arun Baroka] Member (Technical) Archana/nn

Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.99 of 2024

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