Supreme Court: Arbitration clauses in unstamped agreements enforceable, seven-judge bench overrules ‘NN Global’ decision

The Supreme Court, vide its judgment dated December 13, 2023, in the matter of Re: Interplay between Arbitration Agreements under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 and the Indian Stamp Act 1899 [Curative Petition (C) No. 44 of 2023 in Review Petition (C) No. 704 of 2021 in Civil Appeal No. 1599 of 2020 and with Arbitration Petition No. 25 of 2023], has held that agreements which are not stamped, or are inadequately stamped, are inadmissible in evidence under Section 35 (Instruments not duly stamped inadmissible in evidence, etc.) of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (“Stamp Act”). However, such agreements are not rendered void or void ab initio or unenforceable as non-stamping or inadequate stamping is a curable defect.

Background of the case

The genesis of the present judgment flows from some of the previous judgments with contradictory ratio. In the case of SMS Tea Estates (P) Limited v. Chandmari Tea Company (P) Limited [(2011) 14 SCC 66] (“SMS Tea Estates Case”), a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court had held that an arbitration agreement in an unstamped contract cannot be acted upon.

Thereafter, on December 31, 2015, after the recommendation of the Law Commission of India Report, 2015, in order to reduce judicial interference during the appointment of the arbitrator, Section 11(6A) was inserted in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“Arbitration Act”) by way of amendment stating that the court, while considering application for appointment of arbitrators, shall, confine to examination of existence of arbitration agreement.

Thereafter, on April 10, 2019, in the matter of Garware Wall Ropes Limited v. Coastal Marine Constructions and Engineering Limited [(2019) 9 SCC 209] (“Garware Case”), the Supreme Court reaffirmed the legal position that an arbitration agreement in an unstamped contract would not exist in law and therefore cannot be acted upon until the contract is sufficiently stamped.

Thereafter, in the matter of NN Global Mercantile (P) Limited v. Unique Flame Limited [(2021) 4 SCC 379] (“NN Global 1 Case”) decided on January 11, 2021 by a three-judge bench, the Supreme Court held that the non-payment of stamp duty would not invalidate the underlying contract because it is a curable defect.

Thereafter, on April 25, 2023, five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court decided the issue referred to by the three-judge bench in NN Global 1 Case (“NN Global 2 Case”). By a majority of 3:2, it was held that NN Global 1 Case does not represent the correct position of the law. Furthermore, it was held that an unstamped instrument, not being a contract and not enforceable in law, cannot legally exist. The arbitration agreement in such an instrument can be acted upon only after it is duly stamped.

Previously, on February 14, 2020, the Supreme Court relied upon SMS Tea Estates Case in the matter of Dharmaratnakara Rai Bahadur Arcot Narainswamy Mudaliar Chattram v. Bhaskar Raju and Brothers [2020 4 SCC 612] (“Bhaskar Raju Case”). Notably, Bhaskar Raju Case was pronounced prior to NN Global 1 Case. However, during the pendency of reference made by three-judge bench in NN Global 1 Case, review petitions were filed in Bhaskar Raju Case, which were dismissed on the grounds of delay as well as on merits.

Thereafter, on December 7, 2022, a curative petition seeking reconsideration of Bhaskar Raju Case was filed. Thereafter, NN Global 2 Case was pronounced on April 25, 2023. Thereafter, due to broader implications of NN Global 2 Case, the Supreme Court referred the proceedings to a seven-judge Bench.

Issue

Whether an Arbitration Agreement would be considered non-existent, invalid or unenforceable in the event the underlying contract is unstamped or insufficiently stamped.

Arguments

Contentions of the Petitioners:

The petitioners submitted that Section 11(6A) of the Arbitration Act expressly restricts the power of the referral court to the examination of the existence of an arbitration agreement and such power does not extend to examine adequacy of the stamping under Section 33 (Examination and impounding of instruments) of the Stamp Act.

It was further contended that the majority view in NN Global 2 Case has nullified the effect of Section 11(6A) of the Arbitration Act which had restricted the jurisdiction of the court to the examination of the existence of an arbitration agreement. It was further contended that the Arbitration Act restricts the authority of referral court to examine the arbitration agreement only and not the instrument in question.

It was further submitted that the arbitral tribunal has the competence to rule on its own jurisdiction on issues pertaining to stamping. It was further contended that the non-obstante clause provided under Section 5 (Extent of judicial intervention) of the Arbitration Act confines the scope of judicial intervention of courts in the arbitral process and must be read harmoniously with the provisions of the Stamp Act.

It was further submitted that the requirement of stamping does not render an instrument void, but only makes the instrument inadmissible in evidence until the defect is cured in accordance with the provisions of the Stamp Act.

Contention of the Respondents:

Respondents contended that the requirements set out for a curative petition to be maintainable as laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark judgment of Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra [(2002) 4 SCC 388] was not adhered to.

It was further contended that the examination by the court under Section 11(6A) of the Arbitration Act is not confined to mere facial existence of an arbitration agreement and that the referral court has to prima facie examine the existence as well as validity of the arbitration agreement.

It was further argued that Section 33 of the Stamp Act casts a mandatory obligation on courts under Section 11 of the Arbitration Act to impound an unstamped or insufficiently stamped instrument and that the same cannot be admitted in evidence or acted upon until payment of the stamp duty and requisite penalty is paid.

Observations of the Supreme Court

With regards to the maintainability of the curative petition, Supreme Court did not deal with the same and considered it appropriate that this issue be left open for parties to raise to the appropriate bench.

It was further observed that Section 35 of the Stamp Act is significant for adjudication of the issue at hand. In a nutshell, Section 35 of the Stamp Act provides that no instrument chargeable with stamp duty shall be admitted in evidence or shall be acted upon, unless such instrument is duly stamped.

However, the aforesaid section also provides that upon payment of the balance insufficient amount of stamp duty, the instrument will be admitted in evidence. Hence, Section 35 of the Stamp Act renders a document inadmissible for evidence but not void and therefore, the ratio laid down by the five-judge bench in NN Global 2 Case is not correct as it does not appreciate the distinction between enforceability and admissibility of a document.

Further, Supreme Court examined the distinction between inadmissibility and voidness of an agreement. It was observed that the issue of admissibility means as to whether a court may rely upon a document while adjudicating a case, whereas when an agreement is void, it hits on the issue of enforceability of such agreement in a court of law.

Further, Supreme Court also analysed the concept of separability or severability of an arbitration agreement from the underlying contract and observed that an arbitration agreement is juridically independent from the underlying contract in which it is contained.

Thereafter, Supreme Court dealt with the common law concept of ‘Competence-Competence’ which is adopted in Section 16 (Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction) of the Arbitration Act.

Upon consideration, Supreme Court arrived at the conclusion that the analysis of five-judge bench in NN Global 2 Case was not correct as the aforesaid analysis is contrary to the separability presumption which treats an arbitration agreement as separate from the underlying contract.

Further, Supreme Court examined the scope of judicial interference under the Arbitration Act. It was observed that upon analysis of relevant judicial pronouncements prior to insertion of Section 11(6A) of the Arbitration Act, there was high level of judicial intervention in appointment of an arbitrator.

Consequently, the Law Commission of India deemed it fit to curtail the extent of judicial interference and hence, recommended the insertion of Section 11(6A) by way of amendment in the Arbitration Act.

Further, Supreme Court laid stress on harmonious construction of the Arbitration Act, the Stamp Act and the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Furthermore, Supreme Court observed that the object of the Arbitration Act is to ensure an efficacious process of arbitration and minimize the supervisory role of courts in the arbitral process. Whereas, the object of the Stamp Act is to secure revenue for the State. Hence, there is a need that provision of both the aforesaid legislations must be interpreted in a harmonious manner.

Decision of the Supreme Court

Supreme Court held that arbitration clauses in unstamped agreements are enforceable. Even though unstamped or inadequately stamped agreements are inadmissible in evidence under Section 35 of the Stamp Act, such agreements are not rendered void or void ab initio or unenforceable since non-stamping or inadequate stamping is a curable defect.

Further, Supreme Court held that objection on the issue of stamping does not fall within the scope of determination under Sections 8 or 11 of the Arbitration Act. However, the concerned court must examine whether arbitration agreement prima facie exists.

Further, it was held that any objection in relation to stamping of the agreement falls within the ambit of arbitral tribunal. Further, it was made clear that the decision in NN Global 2 Case, SMS Tea Estates Case and Garware Case (to the extent of paragraphs 22 and 29 of the judgment) stand overruled by virtue of the present judgment.

VA View:

The present judgment laid down by the Supreme Court is a landmark judicial pronouncement in the regime of Arbitration Act vis-à-vis Stamp Act. Further, this judgment gives clarity on the legal position as well as distinction between admissibility of an agreement/instrument in evidence and its legal enforceability in a court of law on account of non-stamping or insufficient stamping.

This judicial pronouncement is remarkable because it has settled the confusion prevailing over this issue of law, provided clarity on the scope of judicial intervention by an appropriate court at the time of appointment of arbitrator as well as harmonizes the conjoint interpretation of relevant provisions of the law pertaining to arbitration and stamping.

This judgment will give impetus to development of arbitration regime in India and will go a long way in ensuring that India becomes a preferred destination for arbitration.

For any query, please write to Mr. Bomi Daruwala at [email protected]

Kerala High Court: An insolvency application filed by satisfying the statutory procedural requirements and without any defects, gives effect to moratorium, and mere uploading of an application cannot be taken as filing of an application under Section 96 of IBC

The Kerala High Court (“Kerala HC”), by its judgment pronounced on November 17, 2023, in the matter of Jeny Thankachan v. Union of India and Others [WP(C) No. 31502 of 2023], has held that the mere uploading of an application cannot be taken as filing of an application under Section 96 (Interim Moratorium) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”). The filing of an application is legal and acceptable only when it is filed without any defects, satisfying the statutory procedural requirements of filing and when the adjudicating authority numbers the application. The Kerala HC further held that unless there is any repugnancy between the provisions of IBC and the provisions of Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (“SARFAESI Act”), there is no question of IBC overriding the provisions of the SARFAESI Act in totality.

Facts

Jeny Thankachan (“Petitioner”) is a sleeping partner of Hawking Technologies India LLP (“Respondent No. 3”/ “Corporate Debtor”). The Corporate Debtor obtained a bank loan of an amount of INR 65,10,000/- from IndusInd Bank Limited (“Respondent No. 4”) for which the Petitioner was a guarantor. The Corporate Debtor defaulted in repayment of the loan and the account of the partnership was rendered non-performing asset on October 31, 2022. Thereafter, Respondent No. 4 initiated proceedings under Section 13 (Enforcement of security interest) of the SARFAESI Act and issued a notice to the Corporate Debtor and the Petitioner (being a guarantor).

Respondent No. 4 approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate under Section 14(1) (Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or District Magistrate to assist secured creditor in taking possession of secured asset) of the SARFAESI Act. The Chief Judicial Magistrate passed an order dated May 5, 2023 appointing an Advocate Commissioner to assist Respondent No. 4 to take possession of the schedule property. The Petitioner, at this stage, filed an application dated August 21, 2023 for initiating insolvency resolution process under Section 94 (Application by debtor to initiate insolvency resolution process) of IBC before the National Company Law Tribunal, Kochi (“Respondent No. 2”/ “NCLT”). On August 23, 2023, NCLT assigned diary number 1386/2023 to the application submitted by the Petitioner.

The present petition by the Petitioner is to obtain a stay on the proceedings initiated by Respondent No. 4 and the Chief Judicial Magistrate under the SARFAESI Act and to seek a declaration, as to the effect, that provisions of IBC shall have an overriding effect over the provisions of SARFAESI Act.

Issue

Whether the filing of an application under Section 94 of IBC would by itself trigger a stay on the proceedings initiated by Respondent No. 4 and the Chief Judicial Magistrate under the SARFAESI Act as contemplated under Section 96(1)(b)(i) of IBC.

Arguments

Contentions of the Petitioner:

The Petitioner submitted that action to foreclose, recover or enforce any security interest under the SARFAESI Act shall be deemed to have been stayed by virtue of Section 96(b) of IBC upon the Petitioner filing an application under Section 94 of IBC. Placing reliance on Section 238 (Provisions of this Code to override other laws) of IBC and Government order dated November 15, 2019, by which the provisions in relation to personal guarantors to corporate debtors have come into force, the Petitioner contended that the provisions of IBC shall have overriding effect over the SARFAESI Act and as such the proceedings under SARFAESI Act should be stayed.

The Petitioner further submitted that the loan agreement has not been executed between the Petitioner, and Respondent No. 4, but between the Corporate Debtor and Respondent No. 4, and since the property proceeded against by Respondent No. 4 is a joint family property of the Petitioner, of which half the share is not liable to be proceeded against pursuant to order dated May 5, 2023.

Contentions of the Respondent:

Respondent No. 4 while applying the ratio laid in the case of State Bank of India v. B. Ramakrishnan [2018 17 SCC 394] (“Ramakrishnan Case”), wherein it was held that moratorium under Section 14 (Moratorium) of IBC, on admission of insolvency petition would not be extended to personal guarantor of the corporate debtor, contended that interim moratorium under Section 96 of IBC would not be applicable to the Petitioner in the present case, who is the personal guarantor of the Corporate Debtor. Respondent No. 4 further asserted that since the application filed by the Petitioner under Section 94 of IBC was not assigned a regular case number by the NCLT, the provisions under Section 96 of IBC did not even apply to the Corporate Debtor.

Observations of the Kerala HC

The Kerala HC observed the difference in the provisions of moratorium in case of corporate insolvency resolution process and in cases relating to individuals and partnership firms. An order of declaration of moratorium by the adjudicating authority is necessary in the former, while the latter operates automatically by operation of law. The Kerala HC observed that Sections 96 and 101 (Moratorium) of IBC need to be construed strictly, since legal actions and proceedings initiated by the creditor against the debtor are stayed, and consequently, creditors are left disabled and disentitled.

The Kerala HC further discussed the overriding nature of IBC over the SARFAESI Act. It opined that Section 238 of IBC cannot be applied in the case of SARFAESI Act, since IBC and SARFAESI Act operate in different areas of law. Further, on this point, the Kerala HC discerned that unless there is any repugnancy between the provisions of IBC and the SARFAESI Act, there is no question of IBC overriding the provisions of the SARFAESI Act in totality. The Kerala HC relied upon judgment pronounced in the matter of Ramakrishnan Case and reiterated that since protective provisions of IBC do not extend to personal guarantor of corporate debtor, the securitization proceedings against personal guarantors of corporate debtors can continue under the SARFAESI Act.

Decision of the Kerala HC

The Kerala HC held that since the Petitioner’s application is not duly numbered by the NCLT, the Petitioner’s contention that the Respondents cannot proceed with the securitisation proceedings under the SARFAESI Act and interim moratorium under Section 96 of IBC is in force, is rejected.

VA View:

The present judgment of the Kerala HC is a significant judicial pronouncement in the realm of insolvency law.

The Kerala HC has held that the personal guarantors of corporate debtors cannot use the provisions of IBC as a shield to escape from the claims of creditors. Section 96 of IBC must be construed strictly, since the operation of interim and final moratorium under Sections 96 and 101 of IBC have serious repercussions, that is to say legal actions and proceedings pending against the debtor are stayed and the creditors of the debtor are not able to initiate any legal proceeding in respect of any debt. The Kerala HC further clarified that an application will be deemed proper only when it is filed without any defects and by satisfying the statutory procedural requirements of filing and when the adjudicating authority numbers the application.

The Kerala HC has further clarified that even though Section 238 of IBC provides for an overriding effect over other laws, it cannot oust the operation of the SARFAESI Act in totality in absence of any repugnancy between the provisions of IBC and the SARFAESI Act.

For any query, please write to Mr. Bomi Daruwala at [email protected]

NCLAT: An operational creditor who is a participant in meetings of the CoC has no right to seek a copy of the information memorandum

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (“NCLAT”), in its order dated October 10, 2023, in the matter of Vinay Kumar Singhal, Resolution Professional for M/s. PG Advertising Private Limited v. Mahesh Bajaj [Comp. App. (AT) (Ins) No. 645 of 2023], has held that an operational creditor, who was merely a participant in the meetings of the committee of creditors (“CoC”), would have no right to seek a copy of the information memorandum.

Facts

Mr. Tulsi Nandan Kant Bansal, the financial creditor of M/s. PG Advertising Private Limited (“Corporate Debtor”), filed an application under Section 7 (Initiation of corporate insolvency resolution process by financial creditor) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”) seeking resolution of an amount of INR 1,05,00,000/-, which was due from the Corporate Debtor to such financial creditor. The said application was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal, New Delhi (“NCLT”) on October 18, 2022, and corporate insolvency resolution process (“CIRP”) was initiated against the Corporate Debtor. Following this, a moratorium was imposed, and Mr. Vinay Kumar Singhal (“Petitioner”) was appointed as the interim resolution professional.

During the pendency of the CIRP, Mr. Mahesh Bajaj (“Respondent”), one of the operational creditors of the Corporate Debtor, representing 10% of the total debt owed by the Corporate Debtor, filed an application before the NCLT for issuance of directions to the Petitioner for providing the information memorandum and other relevant documents to him, since he was a participant of the CoC. The NCLT, vide its order dated May 3, 2023 (“Impugned Order”), instructed the Petitioner to deliver a copy of the information memorandum along with the other relevant documents to the Respondent, despite the fact that the Respondent was merely a participant and not a member of the CoC.

Aggrieved by the Impugned Order, the Petitioner filed the present appeal before the NCLAT, urging the NCLAT to set aside the Impugned Order.

Issue

Whether a copy of the information memorandum can be ordered to be given to an operational creditor, who is merely a participant in the meeting of the CoC and not a member.

Arguments

Contentions of the Petitioner:

The Petitioner submitted that the term ‘member’ has neither been defined in IBC nor in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016 (“CIRP Regulations”). Whilst referring to Section 21(2) (Committee of creditors) of IBC, the Petitioner submitted that the CoC must essentially comprise of all the financial creditors of a corporate debtor and that an operational creditor was not a member.

The Petitioner further referred to Section 24 (Meeting of committee of creditors) of IBC, and submitted that Section 24(3) of IBC provides for the issuance of notice of each meeting of the CoC and Section 24(3)(c) of IBC deals with the issuance of notice to the operational creditors of the corporate debtor or their representatives. The Petitioner submitted that while Section 24(4) of IBC provides the operational creditors or their representatives with a right to attend the CoC meeting, it does not provide them with a right to vote at such meeting. Further, Section 24(8) of IBC stipulates that the meeting of the CoC must be conducted in a specific manner, as enumerated in the CIRP Regulations.

The Petitioner referred to Regulation 2(1)(d) (Definition) of CIRP Regulations which defines ‘committee’ as a CoC established under Section 21 of IBC and to Regulation 2(1)(l) of CIRP Regulations which defines ‘participant’ as a person entitled to attend a meeting of the CoC under Section 24 of IBC, or any other person authorized by the CoC to attend the meeting.

The Petitioner argued that as per Regulation 36(4) (Information memorandum) of the CIRP Regulations, the resolution professional of the corporate debtor must share the information memorandum with the members of the CoC, upon receiving an undertaking from the member of the CoC to the effect that such member shall maintain confidentiality of the information and shall not use such information to cause an undue gain or loss to itself or any other person. The Petitioner contended that there was no provision, either in IBC or the CIRP Regulations for giving information memorandum to the participants in the meeting of the CoC, and that the NCLT had committed an error in passing the Impugned Order on the ground that there was no such prohibition under the legislature. The Petitioner concluded its arguments by submitting that reliance by the NCLT on the case of Vijay Kumar Jain v. Standard Chartered Bank and Others [Civil Appeal No. 8430 of 2018] (“Vijay Kumar Jain Case”), at the time of passing the Impugned Order, was not sustainable since the said case had altogether different facts and dealt with the supply of resolution plan to the erstwhile member of the board of directors as a participant of the CoC.

Contentions of the Respondent:

Respondent submitted that there was no error in the Impugned Order, and hence did not call for any interference by the NCLAT. Respondent submitted that while the definition of ‘member’ is conspicuous by its absence in both IBC and the CIRP Regulations and the definition of ‘participant’ has been given only in the CIRP Regulations, it did not mean that the information memorandum and other documents cannot be supplied to the Respondent.

Respondent referred to Regulations 21(2) (Contents of the notice for meeting) and 21(3)(iii) of the CIRP Regulations and submitted that it was essential to supply to each member of the meeting of the CoC, copies of all documents, which are relevant for the matter to be discussed and issues to be voted upon at the meetings of the CoC. Respondent further referred to Regulation 24(2)(e) (Conduct of meeting) of the CIRP Regulations to contend that the meeting of the CoC cannot be convened without supplying an agenda with all the relevant material for the said meeting.

Respondent, in order to support its submissions, relied on the Vijay Kumar Jain Case, wherein the Hon’ble Supreme Court had held that although the erstwhile board of directors of the corporate debtor were not members of the CoC, they had a right to participate in each and every meeting held by the CoC, and also had a right to discuss along with members of the CoC all resolution plans that were presented at such meetings of the CoC. The Hon’ble Supreme Court also opined that even though persons such as operational creditors have no right to vote and were merely participants in meetings of the CoC, they would still have a right to be given a copy of the resolution plans before such meetings are held so as to effectively comment on the same to safeguard their interest, as operational creditors of the corporate debtor.

Observations of the NCLAT

The NCLAT observed that the Respondent had admitted that he was merely a participant to the CoC meeting. Further, it was an admitted fact that there is no definition of ‘member’ provided in IBC or in the CIRP Regulations, albeit repeatedly used in IBC as well as the CIRP Regulations. The NCLAT observed that while both IBC and the CIRP Regulations are silent about the supply of the information memorandum to a participant of a CoC meeting, the legislature has made a provision for providing a copy of the information memorandum to the member of the CoC and the resolution applicant of the corporate debtor. In this regard, the NCLAT further observed that since IBC and the CIRP Regulations are totally silent about the supply of the information memorandum to the participant of the CoC meeting, it has to be inferred that the legislature has made a provision for providing a copy of the information memorandum to the member of the CoC and the resolution applicant but not to the participant of the CoC meeting, as the Respondent. Therefore, the finding of the NCLT that since there is no express prohibition in IBC or the CIRP Regulations for providing the information memorandum to an operational creditor (as a participant of the CoC meeting) was totally erroneous and unsustainable.

The NCLAT observed that the NCLT wrongly relied on the Vijay Kumar Jain Case, at the time of passing the Impugned Order, as there was no reasonable nexus attached with the supply of information memorandum to the participant as the Respondent. Further, although the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the Vijay Kumar Jain Case, had opined that the expression ‘documents’ was a wide expression which would include resolution plans, the information memorandum which was one of its own kind could not be referred to as a document which had to be given to the participant of the meeting of the CoC, especially when there was no such provision under the legislature.

Decision of the NCLAT

In view of the above, the NCLAT set aside the Impugned Order and held that the Respondent being a participant in the meeting of the CoC had no right to seek a copy of the information memorandum.

VA View:

Through this judgement, the NCLAT has clarified the position under IBC on an operational creditor’s right to seek a copy of information memorandum, and has rightly observed that while the legislature has made a provision to provide a copy of the information memorandum to the ‘members’ of the CoC, there is no provision for providing a copy of such information memorandum to the ‘participants’ in meetings of the CoC.

The NCLAT has rightly held that since IBC and the CIRP Regulations are totally silent on the supply of the information memorandum to the participant of the CoC meeting, it has to be inferred that the legislature has made a provision for providing a copy of the information memorandum to only the members of the CoC and the resolution applicant (and not to the participant of the CoC meeting, as the Respondent in the instant case).

For any query, please write to Mr. Bomi Daruwala at [email protected]

Supreme Court: The constitutional validity of provisions of IBC pertaining to the personal guarantors upheld

The Supreme Court, in its judgement dated November 9, 2023, in the matter of Dilip B. Jiwrajka v. Union of India and Others [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1281 of 2021] (decided along with multiple other similar tagged-along writ petitions on similar legal issue), has upheld the constitutional validity of provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”) pertaining to insolvency resolution process of personal guarantors.

Facts

In the present case, the constitutional validity of Sections 95 (Application by creditor to initiate insolvency resolution process), 96 (Interim moratorium), 97 (Appointment of resolution professional), 98 (Replacement of resolution professional), 99 (Submission of report by resolution professional) and 100 (Admission or rejection of application) of IBC were challenged vide three hundred and eighty-four petitions under Article 32 (Remedies for enforcement of rights conferred by this Part) of the Constitution of India (“Constitution”). The Supreme Court did not reproduce the individual facts of each case as it was deciding the constitutionality of the said provisions of IBC.

Notably, by way of background, in the matter of Lalit Kumar Jain v. Union of India [(2021) 9 SCC 321], the Supreme Court has, inter alia, held that the liability of a guarantor is not discharged merely on the discharge of the Corporate Debtor.

For the purpose of reference herein, Mr. Dilip B. Jiwrajka shall be referred to as the “Petitioner” and Union of India shall be referred to as the “Respondent”.

Issue

Whether the provisions of Sections 95 to 100 of IBC are unconstitutional and violate the principles of natural justice.

Arguments

Contentions of the Petitioner:

It was submitted by the Petitioner that there must be determination of existence of debt by a judicial body before appointment of a resolution professional and an action initiated by the resolution professional.

Further, the Petitioner contended that an automatic interim moratorium should not commence upon filing of a petition under Section 95 of IBC.

Petitioner contended that the fundamental aspect as to whether the jurisdiction to entertain an application under Chapter III of Part III (Insolvency resolution and bankruptcy for individuals and partnership firms) of IBC exists, must be determined at the threshold by giving the debtor or personal guarantor an opportunity to be heard and that such jurisdictional question ought to be determined prior to appointment of resolution professional under Section 97(5) of IBC itself.

Further, Petitioner sought natural justice by a judicial body at the stage of Section 97(1) of IBC and it was contended that prior to the appointment of a resolution professional, without incorporating a requirement for a hearing before the adjudicating authority, Sections 95 to 100 of IBC would be arbitrary and violative of Article 14 (Equality before law) of the Constitution.

Contentions of the Respondent:

It was contended by the Respondent that adding an intermittent stage, as suggested by the Petitioner, for the adjudicating authority to decide a ‘jurisdictional question’ would result in the dislocation of the very scheme of IBC pertaining to observance of stringent timelines.

It was contended by the Respondent that the requirement of observing the principles of natural justice arises under Section 100 of IBC at the adjudicatory stage and not under Section 97 of IBC. Hence, the compliance pertaining to natural justice at a stage prior to Section 100 of IBC would result in dislocation of the entire scheme of IBC. Further, at the stage of an application under Sections 94 (Application by debtor to initiate insolvency resolution process) or 95 of IBC, no adjudication takes place. Additionally, no significant consequence on a debtor or personal guarantor takes place before the adjudication under Section 100 of IBC. Hence, there is no breach of natural justice under Chapter III of Part III of IBC.

Additionally, the Respondent submitted that the function of a resolution professional under Section 99 of IBC is not of adjudicatory nature as it does not bind the adjudicating authority. Rather the resolution professional’s purpose under Part III of IBC is merely to collate the facts and submit a report along with recommendations to the adjudicating authority.

It was submitted by the Respondent that the object of corporate insolvency resolution process (“CIRP”) under Part II (Insolvency resolution and liquidation for corporate persons) of IBC and in Chapter III of Part III of IBC is completely distinct as Part II of IBC deals with the resolution of corporate insolvency and Part III of IBC deals with the resolution and bankruptcy of individuals and partnership firms. Therefore, Chapter III of Part III of IBC has contemplated appointment of a resolution professional straightaway preceding the adjudicatory function by an adjudicatory body.

Respondent also submitted that a distinction exists between a moratorium under Section 14 (Moratorium) of IBC and an interim-moratorium under Section 96 of IBC as it is for the benefit of guarantor or debtor and does not impose embargo on alienation of assets, legal rights or beneficial interest of the debtor.

Respondent submitted that the constitutional validity of a statute which the Parliament is competent to enact cannot be challenged on the basis an alleged ground of misuse of a provision in a particular case.

Observations of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court while rendering its judgement divided the judgement into parts which are as follows:

Part I: Comparative Analysis of Parts II and III of IBC:

It was observed by the Supreme Court that the object of CIRP under Part II and in Chapter III of Part III of IBC is completely distinct in nature as Part II of IBC deals with insolvency resolution and liquidation for corporate entities. On the other hand, Part III of IBC deals with insolvency resolution and bankruptcy for individuals and partnership firms. Further, it was observed by the Supreme Court that there exists considerable difference in the provisions of Parts II and III of IBC relating to the role and functions of a resolution professional, even though both use the expression ‘resolution professional’. Section 5(27) (Definitions) of IBC provides that a resolution professional, for the purposes of Part II, means an insolvency professional appointed to conduct the CIRP or the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process, as the case may be, and to include an interim resolution professional.

The role of Adjudicating Authority:

The Supreme Court was of the view that the resolution professional does not possess an adjudicatory function in terms of the provisions of Section 99 of IBC and there has been no provision made in Part III of IBC empowering the resolution professional to take over the assets or the business which is being carried on by the individual or the partnership. The role of resolution professional under Section 99 of IBC is that of a facilitator. The role of the resolution professional is purely recommendatory in nature and cannot bind the creditor, the debtor or the adjudicating authority.

The Supreme Court also noted that Section 14(1)(b) of IBC empowers the adjudicating authority to declare a moratorium restraining the transfer, encumbrance, alienation or disposal by the corporate debtor of any of its assets or any legal right or beneficial interest therein. Further, the moratorium under Section 14 of IBC operates on the order passed by an adjudicating authority whereas the purpose of the moratorium under Section 96 of IBC is protective in nature.

The Supreme Court in respect to the role of the adjudicating authority, held that after the submission of a recommendatory report by the resolution professional, the adjudicating authority’s adjudicatory functions begins. Hence, the Supreme Court provided its observation pertaining to the role of the resolution professional, the imposition of the moratorium as well as the stage at which the function of the adjudicating authority comes into play, under Parts II and III of IBC.

Part II: Applicability of the principles of natural justice:

The Supreme Court analysed the ambit of Section 99(4) of IBC which is prefaced by the words “for the purposes of examining an application”. It implies that when the resolution professional is empowered to seek information or explanation in connection with the application, such information or explanation must be relevant to and bearing a connection with the nature of the application itself. Such power to seek any information or any explanation is concerned with the nature of the application submitted under Sections 94 or 95 of IBC.

The right for filing such representation is sufficient compliance of the principles of natural justice which postulates the concept of audi alterum partem, that is, an opportunity of being heard to a person who is liable to be affected by an investigation, enquiry, proceeding or action. Therefore, the Supreme Court observed that the assertion by the Petitioner in relation to the violation of natural justice principle holds no merit.

Part III: Challenge to the constitutional validity of the provisions of IBC:

While interpreting Part II of IBC, the Supreme Court has drawn inference of the requirement for granting an opportunity to a debtor before initiating the insolvency resolution process against them. It was observed by the Supreme Court that Section 100 of IBC does not explicitly mention a hearing for a debtor. However, the requirement of a hearing for a debtor must be read into Section 100 of IBC. To support this observation, the Supreme Court held that in legal interpretation, when a statute is silent on a specific aspect, such as hearing, for which there is no explicit prohibition, the Supreme Court may imply or read in such a requirement. Therefore, the lack of explicit mention of a hearing in a provision does not automatically make it unconstitutional because such a requirement can be read into the statute.

The resolution professional in exercise of his duty under Section 99 of IBC may not embark on a roving enquiry into the affairs of the debtor or personal guarantor. The information sought by the resolution professional from the creditor, debtor, or third parties must be relevant to the examination of the application of insolvency resolution process. The Supreme Court observed that the proportionality test devised for privacy under Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution is met by the virtue of vesting such powers in the resolution professional along with his duty to keep such information confidential. Additionally, the nature of the role of resolution professional, the powers of resolution professional, as well as its nexus with the legislation’s legitimate aim also leads to the conclusion that the provisions of Sections 95 to 100 of IBC are compliant with Article 14 of the Constitution. Therefore, an adjudicatory decision-making process of the nature which has been suggested by the Petitioner would not be implicated under Section 97(5) of IBC, since to accept the submission of the Petitioner would render the provisions of Sections 99 and 100 of IBC otiose.

Decision of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that at the stages envisaged under Sections 95 to 99 of IBC, there is no involvement of judicial adjudication. The resolution professional appointed under Section 97 of IBC serves a facilitative role of collating all the facts relevant to the examination of the application for the commencement of the insolvency resolution process which has been preferred under Sections 94 or 95 of IBC. Additionally, the report to be submitted to the adjudicatory authority is recommendatory in nature on whether to accept or reject the application.

The Supreme Court held that there is no violation of natural justice under Sections 95 to 100 of IBC as the debtor is not deprived of an opportunity to participate in the process of the examination of the application by the resolution professional. The Supreme Court also held that until the adjudicating authority decides under Section 100 of IBC whether to accept or reject the application, no judicial determination takes place and the adjudicatory authority must observe the principles of natural justice while exercising its jurisdiction under Section 100 of IBC for the purpose of determining whether to accept or reject the application. The Supreme Court held that the purpose of interim-moratorium under Section 96 of IBC is to protect the debtor from further legal proceedings.

It was held by the Supreme Court that the provisions of Sections 95 to 100 of IBC are not unconstitutional as they do not violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

VA View:

In the present case, the Supreme Court highlights the underlying spirit of IBC which is concerned with observance of stringent time lines under IBC as time bound resolution of insolvency constitutes the heart and soul of the provisions of IBC. The Supreme Court in this case has analyzed the scheme of IBC in-depth in light of the constitutional validity of the provisions of IBC and with the backdrop of the principle of natural justice.

The Supreme Court has rightly highlighted the role and functions of an adjudicating authority and the purpose of the interim-moratorium under Section 96 of IBC. This judgement ultimately settles and puts an end to the questions being raised pertaining to the similar set of issues and challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of IBC.

Further, on account of the present batch of writ petitions being sub-judice before the Supreme Court and status quo order of the Supreme Court in some of these writ petitions, the Adjudicating Authority was not in a position to proceed further and admit the personal guarantors in insolvency. However, pursuant to pronouncement of this judgment, the cases and mechanism of personal insolvency as envisaged under IBC will be proceeded expeditiously and the personal guarantors will no longer take shelter of pendency of constitutional challenge before the Supreme Court to evade the process of law.

For any query, please write to Mr. Bomi Daruwala at [email protected]