2025 (4) TMI 187 - HC - IBC

Failure on the part of IBBI to adhere to the procedure before passing the order of suspension against the appellant - HELD THAT - Ordinarily the writ court would not interfere in matters arising out of disciplinary proceedings or administrative decision save and except where there is apparent or palpable infraction of a statute statutory rule or regulation or the proceeding displays violation of the principles of natural justice. It is trite that it is the decision making process and not the decision itself which may be open to judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Yet another facet to consider such category of matters is on the proportionality of the penalty imposed. It is trite that unless the penalty imposed is such which shocks the conscience of the Court or that which no prudent man would reach no interference by Courts is warranted ordinarily. Even the Investigating Authority s Report vindicated the stand taken by the appellant to the extent of the figures furnished by the appellant whereas the DC as well as the learned Single Judge proceeded on the figures mentioned in the SCN ignoring the conclusion reached by the Investigating Authority in its Report dated 08.08.2023. The conclusion based on erroneous figures which are contrary to the Report of the Investigating Authority which is a fact finding authority had the potential of persuading the DC to impose a higher and stricter penalty. Various charges levelled against the appellant appear to be aspects which may have inadvertently been overlooked by the DC and it is possible that considered from the above point of view a penalty not so severe in nature may perhaps have been imposed upon the appellant. Ordinarily in such cases the remit to the DC on this aspect would be the correct course of action however having regard to the fact that almost 1 year and 4 months of the penalty imposed have already lapsed i.e. from 01.12.2023 leaving 8 months remaining we deem it appropriate not to remit the matter for decision of the DC lest it may get further delayed defeating the purpose of such remit. In that view of the matter the penalty imposed of two years suspension from taking any assignment as IRP is reduced to the period already under gone and the suspension of the appellant would be deemed to come to an end from the date of this order. Conclusion - i) The IBBI followed the procedure but the appellant raised valid concerns about the lack of a written order and the scope of investigation which are not adequately addressed by the IBBI. ii) The DC s conclusions are potentially based on erroneous figures and the appellant s evidence is not adequately considered leading to an unjust penalty. iii) The suspension period is reduced to the time already served thus ending the suspension with the Court s order. Appeal disposed off.

Summary

1. ISSUES PRESENTED and CONSIDERED

The core legal questions considered in this case were:

- Whether the decision-making process of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in suspending the appellant's registration as an Insolvency Professional was in compliance with the relevant legal framework and procedural requirements.

- Whether the charges of contravention against the appellant, particularly concerning the recovery of security deposits, work-in-progress (WIP), and failure to take control of the bank account of the Corporate Debtor (CD), were substantiated by evidence.

- Whether the penalty of a two-year suspension imposed on the appellant was proportionate to the alleged infractions.

2. ISSUE-WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS

Issue 1: Compliance with Legal Framework and Procedural Requirements

- The relevant legal framework included the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Inspection and Investigation) Regulations, 2017.

- The Court examined whether the IBBI adhered to the procedural requirements, including issuing a notice of investigation and a show cause notice (SCN) as per the regulations.

- The appellant contended that the IBBI exceeded its scope without a written order, as mandated by the regulations, and failed to provide necessary investigation details.

- The Court found that the IBBI had followed the procedure, but the appellant raised valid concerns about the lack of a written order and the scope of investigation, which were not adequately addressed by the IBBI.

Issue 2: Substantiation of Charges

- The charges against the appellant included failure to recover security deposits, WIP, and failure to control the bank account of the CD.

- For the security deposits, the appellant argued that the figures used by the Disciplinary Committee (DC) were inconsistent with those in the investigation report, leading to an erroneous conclusion.

- Regarding WIP, the appellant claimed to have realized more than the expected amount and provided an Auditor's Report as evidence, which the DC dismissed as an afterthought.

- Concerning the bank account control, the appellant demonstrated that actions were taken with the Committee of Creditors' (CoC) approval, and decisions were made with significant stakeholder support.

- The Court found inconsistencies in the figures used by the DC and noted that the appellant's evidence, particularly the Auditor's Report, was not adequately considered, leading to potential errors in the DC's conclusions.

Issue 3: Proportionality of Penalty

- The appellant argued that the penalty of a two-year suspension was disproportionate, considering the nature of the alleged infractions and the evidence provided.

- The Court considered the principle of proportionality, emphasizing that penalties should not be shockingly disproportionate to the misconduct.

- The Court noted that the penalty imposed was based on potentially erroneous findings and that the appellant had already served a significant portion of the suspension.

- The Court concluded that the penalty was excessive and reduced it to the period already served, effectively ending the suspension with the Court's order.

3. SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGS

- The Court held that the decision-making process of the IBBI was procedurally compliant but highlighted the appellant's valid concerns about the investigation scope and lack of a written order.

- The Court found that the DC's conclusions were potentially based on erroneous figures, and the appellant's evidence was not adequately considered, leading to an unjust penalty.

- The Court emphasized the principle of proportionality, stating: "Unless the punishment imposed by the disciplinary authority or the Appellate Authority shocks the conscience of the court/tribunal, there is no scope for interference."

- The final determination was to reduce the suspension period to the time already served, thus ending the suspension with the Court's order.