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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Prathiba M. Singh, J.
Skillstech Services Private Limited - Appellant
Versus
Registrar, National Company Law Tribunal, New Delhi - Respondent
W.P.(C) 474 of 2021 & CM Appl. 1227 of 2021
Decided On : 13-01-2021




The jurisdiction of the NCLT to hear cases cannot be determined by the Registrar but must be assessed by the appropriate bench of NCLT, ensuring judicial oversight over administrative decisions.

Headnote:(A) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 - Section 9 - Petition for listing before the National Company Law Tribunal - Registrar's failure to list petition due to amendment of pecuniary threshold from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1 crore - Issue of jurisdiction not determinable by Registrar but rather by appropriate NCLT bench - Circumstances preceding the pandemic to be duly considered - Notification's application relation to prior petitions subjected to judicial review. (Paras 3-8)

(B) Jurisdiction of NCLT - Whether NCLT has jurisdiction to entertain specific cases rests solely with the NCLT bench and not administrative officers like the Registrar. (Paras 6-7)

Facts of the case:
The Petitioner contends the Registrar failed to list its matter regarding pecuniary jurisdiction adjustments affecting pre-existing petitions - Reference made to NCLT Kochi's stance on applicability of amendments retrospectively.

Findings of Court:
The court ordered placement of the petition before the appropriate NCLT bench within ten days for further proceedings.

Issues: Main issues involved the authority of the Registrar in determining jurisdiction and the applicability of amended pecuniary thresholds retroactively.

Ratio Decidendi: The court clarified that jurisdiction questions must be decided by the NCLT bench rather than the administrative functions of the Registrar, emphasizing judicial examination over administrative discretion.

Result: Petition disposed of with directions.

JUDGMENT

Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)--This hearing has been done by video conferencing.

2. The present petition has been filed by the Petitioner seeking listing of its petition, under Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, before the appropriate bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (hereinafter, "NCLT").

3. The case of the Petitioner is that the Registrar of the NCLT has failed to even list the Petitioner's matter before the appropriate bench of NCLT, on the ground that the threshold of the pecuniary jurisdiction of the NCLT has now been amended by a notification dated 24th November, 2020, from Rs.1 lakh, to Rs.1 crore.

4. Mr. George, ld. counsel for the Petitioner, submits that the question as to whether the NCLT has the pecuniary jurisdiction or not, cannot be decided by the Registrar of the NCLT, but in fact the same ought to be looked into and determined by an appropriate bench of the NCLT, after appreciating the fact situation involved. Reliance is placed upon the view of the NCLT, Kochi in IA No. 175/KOB/2020 in IBA/34/KOB/2020 titled M/s Tharakan Web Innovations Pvt. Ltd. v. Cyriac Njavally, wherein the Tribunal has held that if disputes had arisen prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the said notification may not apply, as the notification cannot be made applicable retrospectively.

5. Mr. Harish Vaidyanathan, ld. Counsel appearing for the Respondent submits that the said judgment of the NCLT, Kochi Bench has been stayed by the Kerala High Court.

6. This court is of the opinion that the question as to whether the NCLT has jurisdiction to entertain a particular case or not cannot be determined by the Registrar in the administrative capacity. The Registrar would have to place the matter before the appropriate bench of the NCLT, for the said question to be judicially determined. The appropriate bench of the NCLT would have to then, take a considered view as to whether notice is liable to be issued in the matter or not.

7. The question as to whether the notification dated 24th March, 2020 applies to a particular petition that has been filed prior to the said notification or not is also a question to be determined by the Bench of the NCLT and not by the Registrar of the Tribunal.

8. Accordingly, it is directed that the petition under section 9 of the IBC, moved by the Petitioner before the NCLT, shall be placed by the Registrar, NCLT before an appropriate bench for proceeding further in accordance with law. The listing of the petition is directed to be done within a period of ten days from today.

9. Advance intimation of listing of the said matter shall be given to the Petitioner's counsel by the Registrar.

10. The present petition and all pending applications are disposed of, in the above terms.

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