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Home Case Index All Cases Insolvency and Bankruptcy Insolvency and Bankruptcy + Tri Insolvency and Bankruptcy - 2019 (6) TMI Tri This

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2019 (6) TMI 368 - Tri - Insolvency and Bankruptcy


Issues Involved:

1. Jurisdiction and Authorization
2. Loan and Default Details
3. Evidence of Default
4. Appointment of Interim Resolution Professional
5. Declaration of Moratorium

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Jurisdiction and Authorization:
The petition was filed by Punjab National Bank, a financial creditor, under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, for initiating the Insolvency Resolution Process against the corporate debtor. The petition was filed through Mr. Vishal Kumar Prasad, Chief Manager, authorized by the competent authority. The respondent company, incorporated on 15.02.2007, has its registered office in Ludhiana, falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the Tribunal.

2. Loan and Default Details:
The respondent was initially granted a loan on 02.08.2010, amounting to ?44.50 crores, which was later enhanced to ?136.34 crores by March 2015. The respondent executed various documents of loan, including agreements and mortgage deeds, and created equitable mortgages of various properties. The account was classified as NPA on 31.03.2016 due to non-payment of interest and installments, and a notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act, 2002, was issued, claiming a default amount of ?113,79,89,477.06 as on 31.03.2016.

3. Evidence of Default:
The financial creditor provided abundant evidence of default, including balance confirmation letters, CIBIL records, and statements of account maintained under the Banker’s Book Evidence Act, 1891. The respondent did not deny the execution of loan documents or default in payment. The evidence of default was also corroborated by the CIBIL record dated 21.06.2018 and the statements of account with attached certificates.

4. Appointment of Interim Resolution Professional:
The petitioner proposed Mr. Rajender Kumar Jain as the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP), who furnished the required particulars and confirmed no pending disciplinary proceedings. The Tribunal found the written communication in Form 2 to be in order and appointed Mr. Jain as the IRP, directing him to take control and custody of the corporate debtor's assets and manage its affairs.

5. Declaration of Moratorium:
The Tribunal declared a moratorium under Section 14 of the Code, prohibiting the institution or continuation of suits, transferring or disposing of assets, and recovering properties by owners or lessors. The supply of essential goods or services to the corporate debtor was directed to continue uninterrupted during the moratorium period. The moratorium will remain effective until the completion of the corporate insolvency resolution process or further orders.

Final Directions:
The Tribunal issued several directions, including the appointment of Mr. Rajender Kumar Jain as IRP, suspension of the Board of Directors' powers, and cooperation from the corporate debtor's management. The IRP was directed to make a public announcement, constitute a committee of creditors, and submit regular progress reports to the Tribunal.

The petition was admitted, and the moratorium was declared, with the order communicated to both parties and the IRP.

 

 

 

 

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