Introduction In case of any disputes between the parties, there are probabilities that parties might compromise and settle the matter during the pendency of the case before the Court. In this blog, we analyse the situation where the application has been made before the National Company Law Tribunal (the NCLT) or National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (the NCLAT) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (the Code) and in case if such application has been admitted and the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (the CIRP) is initiated by the NCLT and the parties with consensus ad idem wish to withdraw the said application. On July 24, 2017, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of Nisus Finance and Investment Managers LLP (“Facility Agent” or “Financial Creditor”) and Lokhandwala Kataria Construction Pvt. Ltd. (“Debtor”) ordered that the application for CIRP could be withdrawn or the subject matter could be settled by the parties even after the CIRP have been initiated. Facts of the Case: Nisus Finance and Investment Managers LLP (“Facility Agent” or “Financial Creditor”) filed an application before the National Company Tribunal (“NCLT”), Mumbai against the Lokhandwala Kataria Construction Pvt. Ltd. (“Debtor”) for initiation of insolvency proceedings. The Debtor was acting as a guarantor of Vista Homes Pvt Ltd. (“Principal Debtor”) with respect to amount owed by the Principal Debtor. The Financial Agent, the Debtor and the Principal Debtor are one among the parties to the Debenture Trust Deed executed between the Principal Debtor, Facility Agent and other Debenture holders. The Debtor was acting as a guarantor to redeem the debentures in the event if Principal Debtor, fails to pay to the debenture holders. The Facility Agent had the authority to invoke its rights to ensure that the returns are reached to the debentures holders. The Principal Debtor failed to redeem the debentures which were due for its redemption and the Facility Agent filed application under the Code for CIRP with the NCLT, Mumbai. The NCLT admitted the application of Facility Agent on being satisfied that the Debtor defaulted in redeeming the debentures. Upon Moratorium being declared by the NCLT, Mumbai, the parties approached the NCLAT with a plea requesting to set aside the order of the NCLT and allow them to withdraw the case as the parties had settled the dispute and the dues are paid by the Debtor. The NCLAT rejected the plea that the Adjudicating Authority may permit withdrawal of the application on a request made by the applicant before its admission and same cannot be withdrawn once the order for admission is issued and Moratorium is declared. Contesting the order of the NCLAT, the parties appealed the said order with the Hon’ble Supreme Court highlighting that NCLAT could utilize the inherent power recognized by Rule 11 of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Rules, 2016 to allow a compromise between the parties after admission of the matter. Judgement: The Hon’ble Supreme Court highlighted that the Rule 11 of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Rules, 2016 was not notified as on the date of order passed by the NCLAT. However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court utilised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India, which states that Supreme court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such order or decree as is necessary in doing complete justice. The Hon’ble Supreme Court while exercising its powers allowed the parties to withdraw the application. The Hon’ble Supreme Court disposed the appeal after accepting and recording the consent of the parties, where parties undertook to abide by the consent terms and the debtor agreed to pay the sums due. It is important to note that the intention of law is to provide the justice, therefore depending on the facts and circumstances, an application may be withdrawn even after the admission of the application. Some thought provoking facts from the case:
- One of the objections raised by the Debtor before the NCLT, Mumbai was that the Facility Agent has no locus standi to file the case as no liability has been shown as owed and Facility Agent is not an authorised agent and not permitted under the law to file an application, hence application is not maintainable. The NCLT, Mumbai highlighted that since all the parties being privy to the Debenture Trust Deed, the Debtor cannot backout saying that the Facility Agent cannot act as Financial creditor on behalf of or as Debenture holders to initiate the CIRP against the Debtor.
- The NCLAT dismissed the appeal of the Debtor for withdrawal of application on the ground that before admission of an application under Section 7, it is open to the Financial Creditor to withdraw the application but once it is admitted, it cannot be withdrawn and is required to follow the procedures laid down under Sections 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the Code. Therefore, parties cannot be allowed to withdraw the application once admitted, and matter cannot be closed till claim of all the creditors are satisfied by the corporate debtor. However, as explained in this blog, the Supreme Court may on a case to case basis, allow to withdraw the application which is already admitted by applicable authority.
- It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court while passing order highlighted and agreed to the view of the NCLAT on Rule 11 has not been adopted at that point of time and in the absence of no inherent power, the question of exercising inherent power does not arise. Therefore, the Supreme Court took the cognizance of Article 142 of the Constitution of India where the Apex Court has authority to pass such order or decree as is necessary in doing complete justice.
Authors: Ms Shivani Handa and Mr Ashwin Bhat.