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Issues:
Grant of Scheme of Amalgamation under sections 391 to 394 of the Companies Act; Compliance with provisions of Companies Act for amalgamation; Objections raised by Regional Director Ministry of Company Affairs; Clubbing of authorised capital limits in amalgamation scheme; Transfer of assets and liabilities to transferee company; Employee interests in amalgamation scheme. Analysis: The judgment pertains to two company petitions seeking the grant of a Scheme of Amalgamation under sections 391 to 394 of the Companies Act. The petitions involve a first transferor company and a second transferor company intending to merge with a transferee company. The Board of Directors of the transferor companies passed resolutions for adopting the Scheme of Amalgamation, aiming to further business objectives, growth, and profitability through streamlining management and finances. Since the transferor companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the transferee company, no shares of the transferee company needed to be allotted. The entire equity share capital of the transferor companies would be cancelled upon the Scheme coming into effect. The Court had dispensed with the meeting of equity shareholders due to no objections to the scheme. However, objections were raised by the Regional Director, Ministry of Company Affairs, regarding the amalgamation. The objections included concerns about the legal entities involved, the clubbing of authorised capital limits, and compliance with specific sections of the Companies Act. The Court considered the objections and submissions by the parties, including reliance on past decisions rejecting similar contentions by the Regional Director. In response to the objections, the Court referenced previous judgments and found no merit in sustaining the objections raised by the Regional Director. The objections regarding clubbing of notional limits and the necessity for compliance with certain sections of the Companies Act were rejected. The Court emphasized that a single application from the transferor company sufficed due to the subsidiary relationship with the transferee company. The Scheme of Amalgamation was sanctioned as it complied with the procedures under sections 391 to 394 of the Companies Act. The Court found no objectionable features detrimental to creditors or employees in the scheme. It directed the transferor companies' books of account to be placed at the disposal of the Official Liquidator for dissolution without winding up. The Court also awarded a fee to the Additional Central Government Standing Counsel.
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