The Supreme Court in the matter of Abhishek Singh Vs Huhtamaki Ppl Limited & Anr has held that Section 12A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC) does not debar admission of applications for withdrawal of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) before the constitution of the Committee of Creditors (COC). The Supreme Court also held that Regulation 30A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulation, 2018 (IBBI Regulations) is binding upon the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

Facts:

Manpasand Beverages Limited (Corporate Debtor) was in the business of manufacturing and distribution of fruit beverages. Huhtamaki PPL Limited (Operational Creditor) used to supply packaging material to the Corporate Debtor. The Operational Creditor filed a petition under Section 9 of IBC before the NCLT, seeking a total outstanding amount of around INR 13 million against the Corporate Debtor. The NCLT admitted the petition vide its order dated 1 March 2021.

The parties thereafter entered into settlement two days after the initiation of CIRP and before the COC could be constituted. The Parties thereafter complied with the terms of the settlement and in view of the same, the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) moved an Application under Regulation 30A of the IBBI Regulations seeking withdrawal of CIRP against the Corporate Debtor. The Operational Creditor also filed an application under Section 12A of the IBC.

Meanwhile, the Corporate Debtor also filed an appeal before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the order of the NCLT dated 1 March 2021. NCLAT vide its order stayed the formation of the COC till the disposal of the application filed by the Operational Creditor under Section 12A of the IBC.

NCLT vide its order dated 13 April 2021 rejected the Section 12A application on the ground that as many as 35 creditors have filed their claims and withdrawal of the proceedings would adversely affect their rights and that Regulation 30A of the IBBI Regulations was not binding upon the NCLT. The same was challenged by the suspended director of the Corporate Debtor by way of an SLP before the Supreme Court.

Issues:

1. Whether CIRP can be withdrawn before formation of the COC under Section 12A of the IBC.

2. Whether Regulation 30A of the IBBI Regulations is binding upon the NCLT.

Contention of the Parties:

The Appellant before the Supreme Court contended that Regulation 30A of IBBI Regulations and also to Rule 11 of the NCLT Rules, 2016 clearly permit settlement between the creditor and the debtor and withdrawal of proceedings prior to the constitution of COC. The Appellant also contended that the NCLT has no jurisdiction to declare or hold that Regulation 30A of the IBBI Regulations was not binding on it and that it was beyond the power of the NCLT to have discarded a statutory provision.

The Respondent contended that similar arguments were raised by the Appellants before the NCLT which had rejected the same. The Respondent further contended that the Appellants ought to have availed of the alternate remedy of filing an Appeal before the NCLAT.

Held: The Supreme Court after considering the submissions made by all parties held that Section 12A of IBC did not specifically debar entertaining applications for withdrawal even before constitution of CoC. Therefore, the application under section 12A for withdrawal cannot be said to be kept pending for constitution of COC even where such application was filed before constitution of COC. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) had the power to frame regulations wherever required for the subjects covered therein and had accordingly substituted Regulation 30A for dealing with the procedure for disposal of application for withdrawal filed under section 12A of IBC prior to the formation of COC.

The Supreme Court relied upon its judgment of Swiss Ribbons Judgement wherein it held that at any stage where the COC is not yet constituted a party can approach the NCLT directly and the tribunal may in exercise of its inherent powers under Rule 11 of NCLT Rules 2016 allow or disallow an application for withdrawal or settlement. The Supreme Court also noted that regulations framed by the IBBI may be subordinate in character but would still carry a statutory flavour and is binding on the NCLT.
 

MHCO Comment:

This judgment provides much needed clarity on the applicability of Section 12A prior to the Constitution of the COC. It further affirms the statutory validity of various regulations framed by the IBBI by ensuring that the same are binding upon the NCLT which will ultimately stand to benefit the parties before the NCLT.

This article was released on 25 April 2023.

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Author: Bhushan Shah - Partner | Veena Hari - Associate

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This update was released on 25 Apr 2023.

The views expressed in this update are personal and should not be construed as any legal advice. Please contact us directly on +91 22 40565252 or legalupdates@mhcolaw.com for any assistance.

Legal Update Team
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