In a significant ruling in Kridhan Infrastructure Private Limited vs. Venkatesan Sankaranaryan & Another1, NCLAT has held that timely liquidation is to be preferred over endless resolution.  It has also held that unless the liquidation order is shown to contain material irregularity or fraud, liquidation order cannot be set aside using inherent powersin the light of specific provisions under section 61(4) of the Code. It has also categorically ruled that stakeholders' consultation committee is different from committee of creditors and the decision of stakeholders' consultation committee is not binding on the liquidator.

Briefly, in this case, upon failure of implementation of the resolution plan by the Resolution Applicant, NCLT directed liquidation of the corporate debtor as proposed by the committee of creditors. The Resolution Applicant aggrieved with this order filed an appeal before NCLAT alleging that it was not provided with an opportunity of being heard and that the order of NCLT ordering liquidation be set aside preferring 'Resolution' over 'Liquidation'. Resolution Applicant undertook to implement the plan.

Here is the lowdown of the issues decided by NCLAT:

Speed is the Essence

NCLAT noted that prime reason behind enactment of IBC is time bound process. It specifically noted that "if an Adjudicating Authority extends the Insolvency Resolution Process beyond the timeline mentioned u/s 12(3) of the code, the same will be in negation of the underlying policy behind the court of ensuring timely resolution of Company Insolvency".  NCLAT held that a "Timely Liquidation is preferred over endless Resolution process.". Making it clear that time period mentioned in section 12 is mandatory and cannot be extended. It held that "If time specified by statute is changed, then it will give room for wider complications/implications, in the considered opinion of this Tribunal."

Specifically noting that Resolution Applicant failed to adhere to the timelines for equity infusion as per the approved plan, NCLAT held that "the speed specified in the Code cannot be diluted as there is likelihood of adversely affecting the interests of both sides. If the same is delayed, maximization of value of assets of the 'Corporate Debtor' will weaken the realisation of potential creditors."

Use of Inherent Power to set aside order of liquidation

On use of inherent powers under Rule 11 to set aside the order of liquidation as prayed by the Resolution Applicant, NCLAT noted that "it is well settled principle in Law that an 'inherent power'  cannot be resorted to when there are specific provisions in Law to deal with the situations relying on the judgment of Apex Court in 'Durgesh Sharma' V. 'Jayshree' reported in Air 2009 Supreme Court at page 285. NCLAT refused to invoke jurisdiction under Rule 11 for setting aside order of liquidation.

Eligibility under Section 29A due to later development

NCLAT noted the strong objection of the Liquidator on the ground of huge default by the Resolution Applicant through its subsidiaries outside India. NCLAT held that provisions of Sections 29A(f) and (j) get attracted.

Stakeholders Consultation Committee recommendations are not binding on Liquidator

NCLAT upheld the argument on behalf of the Liquidator that "in so far as the 'stakeholders'  consultation committee under the Liquidation process, unlike 'Committee of Creditors' under 'Resolution process' they do not have any power to determine and even their consultation is not binding on the liquidator."

Conclusion

The judgment is unique as it deviates the beaten path of 'maximization of value' which is oft quoted to persuade NCLAT and NCLAT benches. The phrase has become a monologue to justify any attempt to resolve insolvency ignoring the crucial part of preamble which speaks of 'time bound manner'. This judgment notes the importance of timelines under the Code and sets an example that no matter what, timely liquidation is preferable over repeated attempts to resolution. This judgment is a trend setter in the era of IBC 2.0 and the NCLT benches are now armed to counter the over used phrase maximization of value.

Footnotes

1 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 202 of 2020

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