Nizamiya Construction Pvt. Ltd vs Thyssenkrupp Industries India Pvt. Ltd
- CitationCompany Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 672 of 2018
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
Where a corporate debtor has, before the demand notice, raised a bona fide dispute over the operational creditor's performance of its contractual obligations, and has made a counter-claim under the contract, the existence of such a pre-existing dispute is sufficient to justify rejection of an application under Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
Nizamiya Construction Pvt. Ltd. ...Appellant
Vs.
Thyssenkrupp Industries India Pvt. Ltd. ...Respondent
Present: For Appellant: - Mr. Rajiv Kumar and Mr. D.P. Mohanty, Advocates.
ORDER
05.11.2018─ The Appellant- 'Financial Creditor' has preferred this
appeal against the order dated 20th August, 2018 passed by the
Adjudicating Authority (National Company Law Tribunal), Mumbai
Bench, whereby the application preferred by the Appellant under
Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 ('I&B Code' for
short) has been rejected on the ground of pre-existence of dispute.
2. From the record we find that much before the issuance of demand
notice under Section 8(1) of the 'I&B Code' by the 'Operational Creditor',
the 'Corporate Debtor' by their letter dated 15th March, 2017 intimated
that as per agreement the 'Financial Creditor' was required to test the
functioning but it was not done by the 'Financial Creditor' but by the
third party. The other defects were also pointed out but intimating that
Contd/-..............
-2-
'Nizamiya Construction Pvt. Ltd.' had no compressors for hydro testing
of pipeline and the surprisingly a bicycle hand pump was brought to
carry out the tests.
3. For such failure and in terms of agreement a counter claim was
made by the 'Corporate Debtor' by their letter dated 18th April, 2017.
4. From the aforesaid document, it is clear that there is a pre-
dispute and, therefore, the Adjudicating Authority rightly rejected the
application under Section 9 of the 'I&B Code'.
5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant referred to
an e-mail dated 30th August, 2017 to suggest that the 'Corporate Debtor'
has agreed for settlement of claim at Rs. 3,48,443/- (Rupees Three Lakh
Forty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Three Only). When we asked
whether the 'Operational Creditor' intends to settle the claim in terms
with the offer given by the 'Corporate Debtor' on 30th August, 2017,
learned counsel for the Appellant shown inability to accept such offer.
6. In the circumstances, no relief can be granted. The appeal is
dismissed and Interlocutory Application stands disposed of. No cost.
(Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya) Chairperson
(Justice A.I.S. Cheema) Member(Judicial) Ar/uk Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 672 of 2018
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