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Issues:
1. Alleged failure to pay debts by respondent-company. 2. Dispute over non-execution of sale deeds for farm lands. 3. Applicability of winding-up order in disputed debt cases. Analysis: 1. The judgment pertains to O.S.As filed against a common order in Company Petition Nos. 263 of 1999, 169 to 172, 12, 37, and 38 of 2000. The grievance raised is that the learned Single Judge did not properly consider the case, leading to the appeal for a winding-up order against the respondent-company due to alleged failure to pay debts despite notices served. The appellants argue that the Single Judge erred in not ordering winding-up and failed to consider precedents like Mitsugen Glazes Ltd. v. Varkey Overseas Trading Co. The court analyzes the facts of each case, where the respondent failed to execute sale deeds for farm lands despite payments made by appellants, leading to the dispute over debt payment. 2. The court reviews the facts of each case, highlighting instances where appellants paid substantial amounts towards farm lands but did not receive the promised deeds. Despite notices under the Companies Act, the respondent neither allotted the lands nor refunded the amounts with interest, leading to the plea for a winding-up order. The Single Judge rejected the petitions, stating that it could not be concluded that the respondent neglected to pay its debts, suggesting that a civil suit would be a more appropriate remedy. The court notes that the basic controversy in all cases is the same, emphasizing the failure to fulfill the agreement in each instance. 3. In its analysis, the court references previous judgments to establish the principles governing winding-up orders in cases of disputed debts. It cites cases like Shakti Prakash Metal Finishers v. Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd. and Synopsys (Singapore) v. GPS Usha, highlighting that winding-up petitions are not suitable for enforcing bona fide disputed debts and that civil courts are the proper forums for such disputes. The court also refers to the Apex Court's stance that winding-up is not a means to settle disputes with a company and that petitions aimed at pressuring companies will be dismissed. Applying these principles, the court concludes that the appellants' claims of disputed debts do not warrant a winding-up order, advising them to seek remedies through civil courts. 4. Ultimately, the court dismisses the appeals and company petitions, affirming the Single Judge's decision. It clarifies that the dismissal does not hinder the appellants from pursuing their rights in civil court. The judgment underscores the importance of establishing prima facie admitted debts for invoking winding-up orders and reiterates that disputed debts are to be resolved in civil courts, not through winding-up petitions.
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