Case Law Details
Om Logistics Limited & Anr. Vs M/s Ryder India Pvt. Ltd. (National Company Law Tribunal)
In case the Sole Member/ Operational Creditor of the CoC was not interested in pursuing the CIR Process, the appropriate course could have been to file a withdrawal application under Section 12A of IBC, 2016.
In the case Operational Creditor i.e., at whose instance the CIR Process was initiated, was not for the resolution of Insolvency. Instead, the Operational Creditor has used this forum for recovery and got the CIR process kickstarted with malicious intent for a purpose other than the resolution of insolvency of the Corporate Debtor, which is not permissible under the IBC 2016. As per the Code, if any person [as defined under Section 3(23) of IBC] initiates the Insolvency Resolution Process fraudulently or with malicious intent for any purpose other than for the resolution of the insolvency, or liquidation, such an act is punishable under Section 65 (1) of IBC 2016. Hence, before taking any action under Section 65(1) IBC 2016, we think it proper to issue a show cause notice, under Rule 59 of the National Company Law Tribunal Rules 2016, on the Operational Creditor through its Directors as to why the penalty as stipulated under Section 65(1) of IBC, 2016 shall not be imposed on it. Ld. Registrar NCLT is directed to issue the show cause notice under Section 65(1) of IBC 2016 read with Rule 59 of the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 on Operational Creditor through its Directors giving them fifteen days’ time to explain and submit in writing as to why the penalty as stipulated under Section 65(1) of IBC, 2016 shall not be imposed on them. The Registry is directed to allot a Case No. for the proceedings for which the Show Cause Notice is being issued to the Operational Creditor under Section 65(1) of IBC, 2016. Registry/ Court Officer to list this matter on 01.09.2021.
Now, coming to the prayer of the Applicant, we are of the view that it is not the duty of the IRP to run after the Members of CoC to attend the meeting and pursue the CIR Process.
In the circumstances, when the Applicant is unable to carry forward the CIR process for want of cooperation/participation from the sole member of CoC, we feel it appropriate to terminate the CIR process of the Corporate Debtor. In view of the above, by exercising our jurisdiction under Section 60(5) of IBC 2016 along with inherent power under Rule 11 of the NCLT Rules, 2016, we hereby terminate the CIR process of the Corporate Debtor with immediate effect and release the Corporate Debtor from the rigors of the CIRP and moratorium.
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