JUDGMENT

R.F. NARIMAN, J.

1. The present appeal raises an important question as to whether a trade union could be said to be an operational creditor for the purpose of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 [“Code”]. The facts of the present case reveal a long-drawn saga of a jute mill being closed and reopened several times until finally, it has been closed for good on 07.03.2014. Proceedings were pending under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985. On 14.03.2017, the appellant issued a demand notice on behalf of roughly 3000 workers under Section 8 of the Code for outstanding dues of workers. This was replied to by respondent No.1 on 31.03.2017. The National Company Law Tribunal [“NCLT”], on 28.04.2017, after describing all the antecedent facts including suits that have been filed by respondent No.1 and referring to pending writ petitions in the High Court of Delhi, ultimately held that a trade union not being covered as an operational creditor, the petition would have to be dismissed. By the impugned order dated 12.09.2017, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal [“NCLAT”] did likewise and dismissed the appeal filed by the appellant before us, statin