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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
C. Hari Shankar, J.
In the Matter of : Chetak International Cargo Limited - Appellant
Versus
. - Respondent
CO. PET. No. 19 of 2021
Decided On : 18-11-2021




The dissolution of a Company, deemed a commercial decision, can proceed when no debts exist and all legal obligations have been fulfilled without prejudice to members or the public.

Headnote:(A) Companies Act, 1956 - Section 497(6) - Petition for voluntary winding up of Company - The Official Liquidator reported that the Company has no debts and has followed necessary procedures for winding up. A special resolution was passed for winding up, and the Voluntary Liquidator complied with statutory requirements. No objections were raised by the Income Tax Authority. The Official Liquidator did not find any complaints against the Company or the Voluntary Liquidator. Therefore, the dissolution is directed. (Paras 2, 4)

(B) Dissolution of Company - The dissolution of a Company is generally a commercial decision unless influenced by elements such as fraud. (Para 3)

Facts of the case:
The petition was submitted under Section 497(6) of the Companies Act, reporting the voluntary winding up of a Company with no debts. A special resolution was passed for winding up with the appointment of a Liquidator. Official Liquidator scrutinized records and found no complaints nor any prejudice against members or public.

Findings of Court:
The Company is directed to be dissolved effective from the date of the petition based on no objections and compliance met for dissolution.

Issues: The key issues include whether the Company has complied with necessary legal requirements for voluntary winding up and whether any prejudice exists against its members or the public.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the commercial nature of dissolution in the absence of fraud or prejudice.

Result: Petition disposed of with directions for dissolution.

Table of Content
1. voluntary winding up process initiation. (Para 1)
2. compliance with liquidation requirements established. (Para 2 , 3)
3. court's satisfaction on company dissolution. (Para 4)
4. final order for company dissolution issued. (Para 5 , 6)

ORDER (Oral)

1. This is a petition filed under Section 497(6) of the Companies Act, 1956 by the Official Liquidator, reporting for the voluntary winding up of M/s Chetak International Cargo Ltd. (in members' voluntary liquidation).

2. It is the submission of Mr. D. Bhattacharya, Advocate, appearing for the Official Liquidator, the present is a case of members' voluntary liquidation. He submits that it was seemingly a closely held Company, with limited number of shareholders, and the Company is one that has no debts. He also submits the Voluntary Liquidator largely appears to have met with the due compliances, post his appointment. He submits that the Company passed a special resolution in its Extraordinary General Meeting held on 10th January, 2014 for its voluntary winding up of the Company, wherein, Sh. Jai Karan Sharma, was appointed as Company Liquidator of the Company. The said resolution form is a part of this petition at Annexure F. The aforesaid resolution was preceded by a `Declaration of Solvency' dated 18th November, 2013, whereby the Directors affirmed the Company does not have any debts. He submits that the Voluntary Liquidator filed the requisite forms and notices with Registrar of Companies, sent out notices published in the Official Gazette, as well as in newspaper namely in "The Hindu" (English) and "Veer Arjun" (Hindi). Posting the winding up all accounts by Voluntary Liquidator, the Final meeting of the Company also approved the manner of carrying out the dissolution. The Voluntary Liquidator has also furnished an indemnity bond, and has also informed the Official Liquidator regarding the non-receipt of a NOC from the Income Tax Authority. Thereafter, the Official Liquidator has written to the Income Tax Authority, and last of the letters was dated 6th July, 2018. However, till date, the Official Liquidator has not received any intimation from Income Tax Department regarding the NOC. Accordingly, it may safely be presumed that there isn't any objection from the concerned authority for dissolving this Company. On other hand, the Registrar of Companies has already furnished its NOC vis-a-vis dissolution of the Company. Hence, the compliances have largely been met with by Voluntary Liquidator.

3. The Counsel for Official Liquidator also submits that the Official Liquidator has scrutinized the records submitted by the Voluntary Liquidator and has recorded satisfaction as the necessary compliances under the Act of 1956 and as per his view the affairs of the Company have not been conducted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of its members or of the public at large. The Official Liquidator has also not received any complaint (s) thus far, whether against the Company or against the Voluntary Liquidator. Hence, Mr. Bhattacharya states that in these circumstances the Official liquidator has sought for the dissolution of the Company. He further submits that just like `incorporation', `dissolution' of a Company is ordinarily a matter of pure commercial decision of the respective businessmen, and if there isn't any element of `fraud' etc., law doesn't prevent anyone to either incorporate or dissolve a company. He thus humbly pleads for allowing the present petition.

4. Heard. In view of the submissions above, it is clear that the Official Liquidator has scrutinized the records of the Company, and has not found any prejudice being caused to the members or to the public at large nor has he found any complaint against the Company. In view of the above and the satisfaction recorded by the Official Liquidator, the Company is hereby directed to be to be dissolved from the date of the present petition.

5. Copy of this order be filed by the Official Liquidator with t

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