2025 Supreme(SC) 562
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
BELA M. TRIVEDI, SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA, JJ.
Piramal Capital And Housing Finance Limited (Formerly Known As Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited) – Appellant
Versus
63 Moons Technologies Limited & Others – Respondents
Civil Appeal Nos. 1632-1634 of 2022 With C.A. Nos. 1707-1712 of 2022 With Diary No. 6037 of 2022 With C.A. Nos. 2989-2991 of 2022 With C.A. No. 2402 of 2022 With C.A. Nos. 2413-2415 of 2022 With C.A. No. 2567 of 2022 With C.A. Nos. 2987-2988 of 2022 With C.A. Nos. 8123-8125 of 2022 With C.A. Nos. 3694-3695 of 2022 With C.A. No. 6286 of 2022 With C.A. No. 2396 of 2022
Decided On : 01-04-2025
Advocates appeared:
For Appellant(s) Mr. Tabrez Malawat, Adv. Mr. Satish Kumar, AOR Ms. Misha Rohatgi, AOR Mr. Ayush Kashyap, Adv. Mr. M. Yogesh Kanna, AOR Ms. Neha Rathi, AOR Mr. Kamal Kishore, Adv. Mr. Harsha Gollamudi, Adv. Mr. Mahfooz Ahsan Nazki, AOR Mr. Divyam Agarwal, AOR M/S. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AOR Mr. Rhishabh Jetley, AOR Mr. Dhruv Gupta, Adv. Mr. Kapil Sibal, Sr. Adv. Mr. Gagan Gupta, Sr. Adv. Mr. Tajas Popat, Adv. Mr. Mahesh Agarwal, Adv. Mr. Ankur Saigal, Adv. Mr. Vishesh Malviya, Adv. Mr. Shivam Shukla, Adv. Mr. Pranav Narsaria, Adv. Mr. E. C. Agrawala, AOR Mr. Jasmeet Singh, AOR
For the Respondent(s): Mr. Nakul Diwan, Sr. Adv. M/S. Juris Corp., AOR Ms. Aditi Sinha, Adv. Ms. Rajnandini Singh, Adv. Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General Mr. Navin Pahwa, Sr. Adv. Mr. Raunak Dhillon, Adv. Ms. Aishwarya Gupta, Adv. Ms. Niharika Shukla, Adv. Mr. Danish Iqbal, Adv. Mr. Ashutosh Chaturvedi, Adv. M/S. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, AOR Ms. Misha Rohatgi, AOR Mr. Ayush Kashyap, Adv. Ms. Priyanka Vohra, Adv. Mr. A.M. Singhvi, Sr. Adv. Mr. Balbir Singh, Sr. Adv. Mr. Ketan Gaur, Adv. Mr. Ashish Bhan, Adv. Ms. Chitra Rentala, Adv. Mr. Jasmeet Singh, AOR Mrs. Aishwariya Bhati, A.S.G. [Not Present] Mr. Mukesh Kumar Maroria, AOR Mr. Madhav Sinhal, Adv. Mr. E. C. Agrawala, AOR Mr. Raghavendra P. Shankar, A.S.G. Mr. Nishant Upadhyay, Adv. Mr. Dhaval Vora, Adv. Mr. Navneet R., AOR Ms. Alankrita Sinha, Adv. Mr. Deepak Prakash, AOR Mr. Nachiketa Vajpayee, Adv. Mr. Manu Shanker Mishra, AOR Mr. Vedant Singh, AOR Mr. Chand Qureshi, AOR Mrs. Taruna Singh Gohil, AOR Mr. Pranav Sachdeva, AOR Mr. Deepak Prakash, AOR Mr. Nachiketa Vajpayee, Adv. Mr. Satyadev Singh, Adv. Mr. Subhro Sanyal, AOR Mr. A. Lakshminarayanan, AOR Mr. Abbas, B, Adv. Mr. Sukesh Kumar Mishra, Adv. Ms. Sugandha Anand, AOR Mr. Abhinav Mathur, Adv. Mr. Yash Tandon, Adv. Mr. Gourav Asati, Adv. Mr. Tarun Gupta, AOR Ms. Harsh Lata, AOR Ms. Bharti Tyagi, AOR Mr. Vikash Kumar, Adv. Mr. D. K. Singh, Adv. Mr. Vijay Kinger, Adv. Ms. Roopa Nagpal, Adv. Mr. Ashwani Gehlot, Adv. Mr. Shivaji M. Jadhav, AOR Ms. Deepanwita Priyanka, AOR
The commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors in approving a Resolution Plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is paramount and non-justiciable, barring clear legal violations.
Headnote:(A) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - Sections 30(2), 31, 61, 66, 238 - Appeals regarding the treatment of recoveries from Avoidance applications in the Resolution Plan - NCLAT set aside the term allowing SRA to appropriate recoveries from Section 66 applications, directing reconsideration by CoC - The commercial wisdom of CoC is paramount and should not be interfered with unless there is illegality or material irregularity. (Paras 30, 31, 88, 111)
(B) Judicial Review - The scope of judicial review by NCLT and NCLAT is limited to compliance with statutory provisions and does not extend to the merits of commercial decisions made by the CoC. (Paras 30, 31)
Facts of the case:
The appeals arise from the NCLAT's judgment modifying the Resolution Plan approved by the CoC, which allowed the SRA to appropriate recoveries from Avoidance applications under Section 66 of the IBC. The NCLAT held that such recoveries should benefit the creditors instead. (Paras 1, 30)
Findings of Court:
The NCLAT's interference with the CoC's decision was unwarranted as the CoC acted within its commercial wisdom, and the approved plan met the statutory requirements. (Paras 30, 111)
Issues: Whether the NCLAT should have interfered with the CoC's decision regarding the treatment of recoveries from Avoidance applications under Section 66 of the IBC? (Paras 50, 88)
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the commercial wisdom of the CoC is non-justiciable and should not be interfered with unless there is a clear violation of law or material irregularity. (Paras 30, 31, 111)
Result: Appeals allowed; NCLAT's order set aside, restoring the NCLT's approval of the Resolution Plan. (Paras 111)
Judgement Key Points
Based on the provided legal document, here are the key points with their respective references:
- Subject: Insolvency Law - Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (!)
- Acts Referred: COMPANIES ACT, Financial Service Providers and Application to Adjudicating Authority Rules, IBBI LIQUIDATION PROCESS REGULATIONS, INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY BOARD OF INDIA INSOLVENCY RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR CORPORATE PERSONS REGULATIONS, INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE, RESERVE BANK OF INDIA ACT (!)
- Core Principle: The commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) in approving a Resolution Plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is paramount and non-justiciable, barring clear legal violations (!)
- Appeal Outcome (Category I): Appeals regarding the treatment of recoveries from Avoidance applications in the Resolution Plan were allowed; NCLAT's order setting aside the term allowing SRA to appropriate recoveries was set aside (!) (!)
- Judicial Review Scope: The scope of judicial review by NCLT and NCLAT is limited to compliance with statutory provisions and does not extend to the merits of commercial decisions made by the CoC (!) (!) (!)
- Facts Summary: The appeals arose from NCLAT's judgment modifying the Resolution Plan approved by the CoC, which allowed the SRA to appropriate recoveries from Avoidance applications under Section 66 of the IBC (!) (!)
- Court Findings: The NCLAT's interference with the CoC's decision was unwarranted as the CoC acted within its commercial wisdom, and the approved plan met the statutory requirements (!) (!) (!)
- Key Issue: Whether the NCLAT should have interfered with the CoC's decision regarding the treatment of recoveries from Avoidance applications under Section 66 of the IBC (!) (!)
- Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the commercial wisdom of the CoC is non-justiciable and should not be interfered with unless there is a clear violation of law or material irregularity (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Result: Appeals allowed; NCLAT's order set aside, restoring the NCLT's approval of the Resolution Plan (!) (!)
- Advocates: Represented by firms including Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, M/S. Juris Corp., and various Senior Advocates for both Appellants and Respondents (!)
- Appellants Details: Includes Piramal Capital, Union Bank of India, 63 Moons Technologies, Fixed Deposit Holders, Ex-Promoters (Kapil Wadhawan, Dheeraj Wadhawan), and various Trusts (!) (!) - (!)
- Case Categorization: Appeals were categorized into three groups: (I) Appeals regarding Avoidance Applications, (II) Appeals by FD Holders/NCD Holders, and (III) Appeals by Ex-Promoters (!) (!) - (!)
- Factual Background: DHFL was a housing finance company accused of a massive financial scam; RBI superseded the Board of Directors; CIRP initiated; CoC constituted; Resolution Plan submitted by Piramal Capital approved by 93.65% votes (!) (!) - (!)
- NCLAT Impugned Order: Directed that the term permitting SRA to appropriate recoveries from Section 66 Avoidance applications be set aside and the plan sent back to CoC for reconsideration (!) (!)
- Submissions (SRA): CoC's decision on recoveries falls within commercial wisdom; NCLAT erred in entering the domain of CoC; Section 67 does not relate to Section 66 recoveries; Regulation 37A of Liquidation Regulations not applicable to CIRP (!) (!) - (!)
- Submissions (CoC): CoC comprised banks, institutions, and NCD holders; Section 32 read with Section 61(3) limits grounds for challenge; RBI supersession means ex-promoters vacated offices and have no locus standi (!) (!) - (!)
- Submissions (63 Moons): Recoveries from Avoidance transactions ought to enure to the benefit of creditors, not the SRA; NCLAT correctly set aside the clause as illegal (!) (!) - (!)
- Submissions (FD Holders): RP violated RBI Act and NHB Act mandating full repayment of deposits; Section 238 of IBC does not override these specific provisions (!) (!) - (!)
- Submissions (Ex-Promoters): Recoveries from Avoidance applications should benefit creditors; Ex-promoters were entitled to participate in CoC and get copies of RP; IBC prevails over RBI Act regarding rights (!) (!) - (!)
- Relevant Provisions: Sections 30, 31, 61, 66, 238 of IBC; Sections 45-IE, 45-QA of RBI Act; Sections 36(A) of NHB Act; Regulation 37, 38, 39 of CIRP Regulations (!) (!) - (!)
- Scope of Judicial Review: Legislature gave paramount importance to CoC commercial wisdom; NCLT review limited to Section 30(2); NCLAT review limited to Section 61(3) grounds; judicial restraint required (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Avoidance Applications: Distinction made between Chapter III Avoidance Applications (Preferential, Undervalued, Extortionate) and Chapter VI Fraudulent/Wrongful Trading (Section 66); Section 66 applications are not strictly "Avoidance Applications" under Section 25(2)(j) (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Mandatory Requirements: RP must confirm payment of costs, operational creditors, management of affairs, implementation, and non-contravention of law as per Section 30(2) and Regulation 38 (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Maximization of Value: CoC must consider measures for maximization of asset value; commercial wisdom must be exercised based on full information and expert assessment (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - NCLAT Interference: NCLAT erred in tinkering with the RP approved by CoC and NCLT regarding Section 66 recoveries; NCLAT transgressed its jurisdiction under Section 61 (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Estoppel: Appellants (63 Moons, Roopjot) voted in favor of the RP via Authorized Representatives and are estopped from challenging it; their vote was binding on the class (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Regulation 37A: Reliance on Regulation 37A of Liquidation Regulations by NCLAT was misplaced as there is no equivalent provision in CIRP Regulations permitting such assignment to SRA (!) (!)
- Analysis - Notional Value: Valuation of INR 1 for Section 66 applications was notional due to uncertainty of recovery; CoC consciously decided to give these recoveries to SRA after hard bargaining (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Second Category (FD Holders): RBI Act and NHB Act do not mandate full repayment of deposits in CIRP; distribution mechanism falls within CoC commercial wisdom; RP complied with FSP Rules (!) (!) - (!)
- Analysis - Third Category (Ex-Promoters): RBI supersession meant ex-directors vacated offices; they cannot claim rights of suspended directors to attend CoC or participate; approved RP becomes a public document under Evidence Act (!) (!) - (!)
- Conclusion: Impugned NCLAT order set aside; NCLT approval upheld; NCLT directed to decide Avoidance Applications separately under respective sections; Recoveries from Sections 43, 45, 50 go to CoC; Recoveries from Section 66 go to SRA (!) (!) (!)
JUDGMENT :
BELA M. TRIVEDI, J.
| | INDEX |
| GLOSSARY |
| I. THE DETAILS AND CATEGORIES OF THE APPEALS |
| II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND |
| III. SUBMISSIONS BY THE LEARNED ADVOCATES FOR THE PARTIES |
| IV. RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE IBC AND OTHER ACTS |
| V. SCOPE OF JUDICIAL REVIEW |
| VI. ANALYSIS IN THE FIRST CATEGORY OF APPEALS |
| (i) Questions |
| (ii) Avoidance Applications |
| (iii) Mandatory Requirements of Section 30(2) of the IBC and Regulation 38 of Regulations, 2016 |
| (iv) Maximization of the value of the assets of the Corporate Debtor |
| (v) Whether the NCLAT should have entertained the appeals filed by the 63 Moons under Section 61 of the Code and tinkered with the Resolution Plan approved by the CoC and the NCLT? |
| VII. ANALYSIS IN THE SECOND CATEGORY OF APPEALS |
| (i) Whether the Resolution Plan violated the Provisions Of RBI Act or NHB Act? |
| VIII. ANALYSIS IN THE THIRD CATEGORY OF APPEALS |
| IX. CONCLUSION |
| GLOSSARY |
| 1. BR Act – The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 |
| 2. CD – Corporate Debtor |
| 3. CIRP – Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process |
| 4. CoC – Committee of Creditors |
| 5. DHFL – Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited |
| 6. EOI – Expression of Interest |
| 7. FD Holders – Fixed Deposit Holders |
| 8. FSP – Financial Service Provider |
| 9. FSP Rules – Financial Service Provider Rules, 2019 |
| 10. GT – M/s. Grant Thornton |
| 11. HFC – Housing Finance Companies |
| 12. IBC – The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 |
| 13. NBFC – Non-Banking Financial Companies |
| 14. NCD Holders – Non-Convertible Debenture Holders |
| 15. NCLAT – National Company Law Appellate Tribunal |
| 16. NCLT/Adjudicating Authority – National Company Law Tribunal |
| 17. NHB Act – The National Housing Bank Act, 1987 |
| 18. Piramal Capital – Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited |
| 19. PRAs – Prospective Resolution Applicants |
| 20. RA – Resolution Applicant |
| 21. RBI Act – The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 |
| 22. Regulations, 2016 – The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons), Regulations, 2016 |
| 23. RFRP – Request for Resolution Plan Proposal |
| 24. RP – Resolution Plan |
| 25. SRA – Successful Resolution Applicant |
1. In the captioned Appeals, the contextual facts encompass the issues involved and permit analogous adjudication. Hence, they are disposed of by this common judgment and order.
(I) THE DETAILS AND CATEGORIES OF THE APPEALS: -
i. Civil Appeal Nos. 1632-1634 of 2022 have been filed by the Appellant Piramal Capital and Housing Limited (Piramal Capital), Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) challenging the common judgment and order dated 27.01.2022 passed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi, (NCLAT) in Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) [hereinafter referred to as Company Appeal] Nos. 454-455 and 750 of 2021, only to the extent that it modified the Resolution Plan (RP) by holding that the RP that permitted the SRA to appropriate recoveries, if any, from Avoidance applications filed under Section 66 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) ought to be set aside and the Resolution Plan be sent back to the Committee of Creditors (CoC) for reconsideration on that aspect.ii. Civil Appeal Nos. 2989-2991 of 2022 have been filed by the Appellant Union Bank of India challenging the said common judgment and order dated 27.01.2022 passed by the NCLAT in Company Appeal Nos. 454-455 and 750 of 2021.
iii. Civil Appeal Nos. 3694-3695 of 2022 have been filed by the Appellant 63 Moons and Technologies Limited, challenging the said common judgment and order dated 27.01.2022 passed by the NCLAT in Company Appeal No. 454 of 2021 and 455 of 2021, only to the extent of the sentence/observation in the impugned order that “The Resolution Plan be sent back to the CoC for reconsideration on this aspect.”
iv. Civil Appeal Nos. 2413-2415 of 2022 have been filed by the Appellants Vinay Kumar Mittal and Others, cla
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