30 May 2025

Puro Naturals JV Vs. Warana Sahakari Bank & Ors.- This Tribunal took the view that Resolution Plan providing for extinguishment of personal guarantee as approved by the CoC, did not contravene any provisions of Section 30(2)(e) of the Code.

  NCLAT (24.11.2023) in Puro Naturals JV Vs. Warana Sahakari Bank & Ors. (Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 651, 661-663 and 1005 of 2023 ] held that.

  • This Tribunal took the view that Resolution Plan providing for extinguishment of personal guarantee as approved by the CoC, did not contravene any provisions of Section 30(2)(e) of the Code.

  • We, thus, answer Question No.(I) holding that Resolution Plan in question has consciously dealt with securities and personal guarantees given to the Financial Creditors including the dissenting Financial Creditors and the said clauses of the Resolution Plan do not contravene any provisions of Section 30, sub-section (2) as well as CIRP Regulations, 2016.

  • According to the scheme of the IBC, the payment to which a Financial Creditor, who does not vote in favour of the Resolution Plan is entitled for payment in accordance with sub-section (1) of Section 53, in the event of liquidation of the Corporate Debtor

  • And further dissenting Financial Creditor has to be paid in priority to the Financial Creditors who vote in favour of such Resolution Plan.

  • What is required by law is the payment “in priority over the Financial Creditors who voted in favour of the plan”. When we look into the relevant clauses of the Resolution Plan, i.e., Clause C-3(V), which dealt with dissenting Financial Creditors, the clauses clearly provided for payment to dissenting Financial Creditor in priority, since the payment in favour of the dissenting Financial Creditor has to be made prior to payment to the assenting creditors, be it upfront payment or payment by installments.


Excerpts of the Order;    

These Appeal(s) have been filed against the same order dated 01.05.2023 passed by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai, Bench-V in IA No.2165 of 2021 filed by Resolution Professional (“RP”) for approval of Resolution Plan submitted by Puro Naturals JV; IA No.963 of 2022 and I.A. No.112 of 2022 filed by Respondent Nos.1 and 2 objecting to the Resolution Plan. The Adjudicating Authority by the impugned order rejected IA No.2165 of 2021 field by the RP – Ritesh R Mahajan for approval of the Resolution Plan and IA No. 963 of 2022 and 112 of 2022 filed by Respondent Nos.1 and 2 for rejection of the Resolution Plan submitted by Puro Naturals JV, were allowed. The Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) Nos.661-663 of 2023 has been filed by the Successful Resolution Applicant Puro Naturals JV challenging the impugned order. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.651 of 2023 has been filed by Ritesh R Mahajan, RP challenging the impugned order and Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.1005 of 2023 has been filed by 38 Sugarcane Farmers and creditors of the Corporate Debtor, who have come up in this Appeal challenging the impugned order rejecting the Resolution Plan.


# 2. Brief facts necessary to be noticed for deciding these Appeal(s) are:

(i) Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (“CIRP”) against the Corporate Debtor – Shivaji Cane Processors Limited was initiated by an order dated 18.02.2021 passed by the Adjudicating Authority on an Application under Section 7 filed by ASREC (India) Limited (Financial Creditor). Mr. Ritesh R. Mahajan was confirmed as RP.


(ii) In response to Invitation for Expression of Interest (“EoI”), Puro Naturals JV a Joint Venture between three entities filed a Resolution Plan. After discussion in the 5th Meeting of the Committee of Creditors (“CoC”) dated 19.07.2021, the Resolution Applicant revised the Resolution Plan to Rs.43.82/- crores and submitted its final Resolution Plan on the basis of inputs by the CoC on 29.07.2021. In the 6th CoC Meeting held on 30.07.2021, Resolution Plan was discussed and was passed with 78.03% voting. Respondent Nos.1 and 2 namely – Shree Warana Sahakari Bank Limited and Kolhapur Urban Co-operative Bank having the vote share of 11.13% and 10.84% respectively, dissented with the Resolution Plan.


(iii) After approval of the Resolution Plan, RP filed IA No.2165 of 2021 under Section 30, sub-section (6) for approval of the Resolution Plan before the Adjudicating Authority. Respondent No.1 – Shree Warana Sahakari Bank Limited filed IA No.112 of 2022 seeking to oppose the Resolution Plan. Similarly, IA No.963 of 2022 was filed by Kolhapur Urban Co-operative Bank – Respondent No.2 seeking to oppose the approval of the Resolution Plan. The RP filed reply to the IAs filed by both the dissenting Financial Creditors.


(iv) The matter was heard and reserved on 20.01.2023 by the Adjudicating Authority. Thereafter on 14.03.2023, the matter was listed by Adjudicating Authority for clarification by Successful Resolution Applicant (“SRA”). The SRA by way of clarification, offered to make full payment to the dissenting Resolution Applicant within 90 days of the approval of the Resolution Plan.


(v) On 01.05.2023, the impugned order was passed rejecting the Application filed by the RP for approval of the Resolution Plan on the ground that Resolution Plan seeks to extinguish the personal guarantees and securities without the consent of dissenting Financial Creditors. The Adjudicating Authority also relied on judgment of the NCLT, Indore Bench dated 06.01.2023 in Naveen Kumar Sood RP of Ujaas Energy Ltd. & Anr. vs. Ujaas Energy Ltd. & Ors., where Indore Bench of the NCLT had rejected the Resolution Plan on the ground that Plan extinguish the rights of the dissenting Financial Creditors to proceed against the Personal Guarantor.


(vi) It is useful to extract the main reason given by the Adjudicating Authority for rejecting the Resolution Plan. The reasons as contained in paragraph 13 of the judgment are as follows:

  • “13. The counsel for the Resolution Professional has sought to distinguish the above case by arguing extensively that the Resolution Plan only assigns the personal guarantees and does not extinguish the same. However, the argument is without any merit for two reasons. Firstly, the argument is in complete defiance of record and is factually incorrect, as the Resolution Plan in fact and indeed seeks to not just assign but extinguish the personal guarantee and securities in the garb of assignment in favour of a third party. Secondly, without prejudice to the above, such assignment is without consent of Dissenting Financial Creditors which cannot bind the Dissenting Financial Creditors. In a recent judgment, the National Company Law Tribunal, Indore Bench has in its order dated January 06, 2023 in the matter of Naveen Kumar Sood RP of Ujaas Energy Ltd & Anr v/s. Ujaas Energy Ltd & Ors has upheld the said settled position of law in the following terms:

  • “…10. Be that as it may we are not going in details of the plan since the said resolution plan contains a relief to extinguish the personal guarantee given to the lenders on the borrowings of the corporate debtor but the same is objected by Bank of Baroda. This Adjudicating Authority vide its order dated 04.08.2022 released the matter for clarification with respect to the said relief in the plan, however the resolution applicant wish to proceed without amending such reliefs and therefore, such conditional plan without the consent of all the secured financial creditors is not in accordance with the provisions of the Code

  • 11. In our considered opinion the CoC can take any commercial decision relating to insolvency of the corporate debtor only, the CoC cannot extinguish right of the particular secured creditor to proceed against the personal guarantor of the corporate debtor under the garb of its commercial wisdom. Such provision in the resolution plan is not only prejudicial to the right of such secured creditor but also against the provisions of law. Hence we cannot approve such resolution plan as it contravenes the provision of section 30(2)(e ) of the Code.

  • 12. In view of the above, we are of the considered opinion that such resolution plan cannot be approved and deserves to be rejected as the CoC by majority votes cannot enforce its decision for extinguishment of the right of the dissenting creditor to proceed against the personal guarantor…..”

  • In the light of what has been held by the Hon’ble NCLT Indore Bench, it is clear that the COC can take any commercial decision relating to insolvency of the Corporate Debtor but it cannot extinguish right of the particular Secured Creditor to proceed against the personal guarantor of the Corporate debtor under the grab of its commercial wisdom. Such provision in the resolution plan is not only prejudicial to the right of such secured creditor but also is not in consonance with the provisions of law. Therefore, the plan cannot be approved as it contravenes the provision of section 30(2)(e) of the Code.”

  • Operative portion of the order as contained in paragraph 18, is to the following effect:

  • “18. The above captioned Interlocutory Application 2165 of 2021 filed for approval of the Resolution Plan vide our detailed order above, we are of the considered view that such Resolution Plan cannot be approved and deserved to be “rejected”. Accordingly, I.A. No. 963 of 2022 filed by The Kolhapur Urban Co-Op Bank Limited, I.A. No. 112 of 2022 filed by Shree Warna Sahakari Bank Limited are “allowed” and IA No. 2917 of 2021 filed by Dombivli Nagari Sahakari Bank Ltd. are rendered “infructuous and disposed of”.


(vii) Aggrieved by the impugned order, these three Appeal(s) have been filed as noted above.


# 3. We have heard Shri Amar Dave, learned Counsel appearing for the Successful Resolution Applicant (in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 661-663 of 2023); Shri Krishnendu Datta, learned Senior Counsel appearing for RP (in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 651 of 2023); Shri Siddharth S. Chapalgaonkar, learned Counsel appearing for Sugarcane Farmers, who have filed Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.1005 of 2023; and Shri Sumant Batra, learned Counsel appearing for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 – dissenting Financial Creditors.


# 11. The two principal questions, which have arisen for consideration in these Appeal(s) are to the following effect:

  • (I) Whether Resolution Plan providing for extinguishment of security interest and the guarantees of the Financial Creditors including dissenting Financial Creditors is contrary to the provision of Section 30, sub-section (2) and the CIRP Regulations?

  • (II) Whether the payment, which have been proposed to the dissenting Financial Creditors in the Resolution Plan, is contrary to the provisions of Section 30, sub-section (2) and CIRP Regulations?


Question No.(I)

3 12. The first question is as to whether Resolution Plan could have contained any provision for extinguishment of security interest and the guarantees of the Financial Creditors, which was given by Promoters to secure the debt of the Corporate Debtor. Various clauses of the Resolution Plan as extracted above, clearly notes that Resolution Plan specifically dealt with securities and guarantees of the Financial Creditors and the Plan envisage extinguishment of securities and guarantees also in addition to pay out to secured Financial Creditor. The Plan envisages that after payment of the amount proposed in the Plan secured Financial Creditors shall assign their debt on consideration of Rs.2 crores. The Plan envisages the extinguishment of security interest and the guarantees.


# 13. The Adjudicating Authority in the impugned order has taken the view that the Resolution Plan cannot extinguish the rights of the dissenting creditors to proceed against the personal guarantees. In paragraph 13 of the impugned judgment, the Adjudicating Authority has relied on judgment of NCLT, Indore Bench in Naveen Kumar Sood RP of Ujaas Energy Ltd. & Anr. vs. Ujaas Energy Ltd. & Ors. for coming to the conclusion that CoC can take any commercial decision relating to insolvency of the Corporate Debtor, but it cannot extinguish right of the particular Secured Creditor to proceed against the personal guarantor of the Corporate Debtor under the garb of its commercial wisdom. Against the order of NCLT, Indore Bench in the above case an Appeal being Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.266 of 2023 – SVA Family Welfare Trust & Anr. vs. Ujaas Energy Ltd. & Ors. was filed, which was allowed by this Tribunal vide its judgment dated 21.08.2023, setting aside the order of Adjudicating Authority. This Tribunal held in the aforesaid judgment that security interest of the dissenting Financial Creditors by virtue of personal guarantee of the ex-director of the Corporate Debtor could have been very well dealt in the Resolution Plan. After considering all relevant judgments, this Tribunal laid down following in paragraph 28 and 29:

  • “28. The above judgment fully supports the submissions of the Appellant that security interest of dissenting Financial Creditor by virtue of personal guarantee of the ex-director of the Corporate Debtor could have been very well dealt in the Resolution Plan. It is further relevant to notice that each Financial Creditor has personal guarantee in their favour to secure the loan extended by them. All Financial Creditors has assented for relinquishment of such security except Bank of Baroda which had only 5.83% vote share. The decision of the CoC to accept the value for relinquishment of personal guarantee was a commercial decision of the CoC which cannot be allowed to be impugned at the instance of dissenting Financial Creditor.

  • 29. In view of the foregoing discussions, we are of the view that the Adjudicating Authority committed error in rejecting the Application for approval of the Resolution Plan on the ground that plan could not have contained a provision for extinguishment of personal guarantee of the personal guarantors. Plan allocates a plan value for extinguishment of personal guarantee which has been accepted by the Financial Creditors by a vote share of 78.04%. We, thus, are of the view that the order of the Adjudicating Authority dated 06.01.2023 is unsustainable. In result, we allow the Appeal and set aside the order dated 06.01.2023 passed by the Adjudicating Authority. We hold that the Resolution Plan submitted by the Appellant did not contravene any of the provisions of Section 30(2)(e) of the Code. The Adjudicating Authority shall proceed to pass a fresh order in IA 190 of 2021 praying for approval of the Resolution Plan along with necessary directions. Adjudicating Authority shall endeavour to pass fresh order on IA 190 of 2021 within a period of three months from the date when copy of this order is produced before it.”


# 14. This Tribunal took the view that Resolution Plan providing for extinguishment of personal guarantee as approved by the CoC, did not contravene any provisions of Section 30(2)(e) of the Code. It is also relevant to notice that against the order of this Tribunal in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.266 of 2023, Bank of Baroda filed Civil Appeal No.6602 of 2023, which Appeal has been dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated November 06, 2023, which order is as follows:

  • “1. In view of the facts and circumstances of the present case, no substantial question of law arises.

  • 2. The Appeal is accordingly dismissed.

  • 3. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of.”


# 15. In view of the above very basis of the order of the Adjudicating Authority, rejecting the Resolution Plan submitted by the Successful Resolution Applicant having been knocked out by judgment of this Tribunal dated 21.08.2023, the order of Adjudicating Authority is clearly unsustainable.


# 16. The present is a case where CoC deliberated over the issue and on such deliberation and inputs, the Successful Resolution Applicant submitted revised Resolution Plan and the Resolution Plan dealt with security interest and the personal guarantee also. We, thus, answer Question No.(I) holding that Resolution Plan in question has consciously dealt with securities and personal guarantees given to the Financial Creditors including the dissenting Financial Creditors and the said clauses of the Resolution Plan do not contravene any provisions of Section 30, sub-section (2) as well as CIRP Regulations, 2016. The view of the Adjudicating Authority that Resolution Plan is contrary to provisions of Section 30, sub-section (2) is unsustainable and deserved to be set-aside.


Question No.(II)

# 17. Section 30, sub-section (2) of the Code provides as follows:

“30(2). The resolution professional shall examine each resolution plan received by him to confirm that each resolution plan –

(a) provides for the payment of insolvency resolution process costs in a manner specified by the Board in priority to the payment of other debts of the corporate debtor;

(b) provides for the payment of debts of operational creditors in such manner as may be specified by the Board which shall not be less than-

(i) the amount to be paid to such creditors in the event of a liquidation of the corporate debtor under section 53; or

(ii) the amount that would have been paid to such creditors, if the amount to be distributed under the resolution plan had been distributed in accordance with the order of priority in sub-section (1) of section 53,

whichever is higher, and provides for the payment of debts of financial creditors, who do not vote in favour of the resolution plan, in such manner as may be specified by the Board, which shall not be less than the amount to be paid to such creditors in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 53 in the event of a liquidation of the corporate debtor.

Explanation 1. — For removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that a distribution in accordance with the provisions of this clause shall be fair and equitable to such creditors.

Explanation 2. — For the purpose of this clause, it is hereby declared that on and from the date of commencement of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2019, the provisions of this clause shall also apply to the corporate insolvency resolution process of a corporate debtor-

(i) where a resolution plan has not been approved or rejected by the Adjudicating Authority;

(ii) where an appeal has been preferred under section 61 or section 62 or such an appeal is not time barred under any provision of law for the time being in force; or

(iii) where a legal proceeding has been initiated in any court against the decision of the Adjudicating Authority in respect of a resolution plan;

(c) provides for the management of the affairs of the Corporate debtor after approval of the resolution plan;

(d) The implementation and supervision of the resolution plan;

(e) does not contravene any of the provisions of the law for the time being in force

(f) confirms to such other requirements as may be specified by the Board.

[Explanation. — For the purposes of clause (e), if any approval of shareholders is required under the Companies Act, 2013(18 of 2013) or any other law for the time being in force for the implementation of actions under the resolution plan, such approval shall be deemed to have been given and it shall not be a contravention of that Act or law.”


# 18. Regulation 38 of CIRP Regulations, which provides ‘Mandatory contents of the Resolution Plan’. Regulation 38(1)(b) is as follows:

  • “38(1)(b). to the financial creditors, who have a right to vote under sub-section (2) of section 21 and did not vote in favour of the resolution plan, shall be paid in priority over financial creditors who voted in favour of the plan.”


# 19. According to the scheme of the IBC, the payment to which a Financial Creditor, who does not vote in favour of the Resolution Plan is entitled for payment in accordance with sub-section (1) of Section 53, in the event of liquidation of the Corporate Debtor and further dissenting Financial Creditor has to be paid in priority to the Financial Creditors who vote in favour of such Resolution Plan. The submission advanced on behalf of learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 that dissenting Financial Creditors are entitled to upfront payment is not in line with the statutory scheme as contained in the IBC and the CIRP Regulations. There is no provision which can be pointed out, which requires Successful Resolution Applicant to make upfront payment to the dissenting Financial Creditors. What is required by law is the payment “in priority over the Financial Creditors who voted in favour of the plan”. When we look into the relevant clauses of the Resolution Plan, i.e., Clause C-3(V), which dealt with dissenting Financial Creditors, the clauses clearly provided for payment to dissenting Financial Creditor in priority, since the payment in favour of the dissenting Financial Creditor has to be made prior to payment to the assenting creditors, be it upfront payment or payment by installments. The submission of the learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 that they were entitled for upfront payment and provision of not providing upfront payment violates the provision of IBC and CIRP Regulations cannot be accepted. The provisions of Resolution Plan in C-3(V) providing for payment to dissenting Financial Creditors are not in contravention of any provisions of Section 30, sub-section (2) or CIRP Regulations. We, however, have already noticed the clarification made by the Successful Resolution Applicant before the Adjudicating Authority that entire payment to the dissenting Financial Creditors shall be paid upfront within 90 days from the date of approval of the Plan. The learned Counsel appearing for Successful Resolution Applicant has also made same submission before us that entire payment to the dissenting Financial Creditor shall be made upfront within 90 days, which clarification was given before the Adjudicating Authority also. The Successful Resolution Applicant having himself come out to make entire payment to the dissenting Financial Creditor within 90 days, we are of the view that there can be no question of any contravention of provisions of IBC as well as CIRP Regulations with regard to payment to dissenting Financial Creditors.


# 20. Shri Sumant Batra, learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 has also relied on the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Assocaition & Ors. vs. NBCC (India) Limited and Ors. and has referred to paragraph 118.2. In paragraph 118.2, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has laid down following:

“118.2. As noticed, the decision of this Court in Essar Steel [Essar Steel India Ltd. (CoC) v. Satish Kumar Gupta, (2020) 8 SCC 531 : (2021) 2 SCC (Civ) 443] was delivered on 15-11-2019. A few days after this decision i.e. on 28-11-2019, amendment was carried out in clause (1) of Regulation 38 of the CIRP Regulations, which has direct co-relation with the aforesaid amended clause (b) of Section 30(2) of the Code. By way of this amendment of Regulation 38(1), the priority for the amount payable came to be specified, not only to the operational creditors but also to the dissenting financial creditors over their assenting counterparts. The aforesaid amendments and the expositions of this Court in Essar Steel [Essar Steel India Ltd. (CoC) v. Satish Kumar Gupta, (2020) 8 SCC 531 : (2021) 2 SCC (Civ) 443] make it clear that the interests of dissenting financial creditors are duly taken care of, while providing for the minimum amount they are entitled to and, for that matter, in priority over the assenting financial creditors.”


# 21. What was laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the aforesaid case is that by virtue of Section 30, sub-section (2) as well as Regulation 38, the priority for the amount payable came to be specified, not only to the operational creditors but also to the dissenting financial creditors over their assenting counterparts. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has reiterated the legal position as contained in Section 30, sub-section (2) as well as CIRP Regulations that payment has to be made in priority. As we have already noticed that payment to the dissenting Financial Creditors is in priority, hence, no contravention can be found out as contended. The same principles have been reiterated in paragraph 121.1 and 121.2, which have been relied by learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.1 and 2, which are as follows:

“121.1. Therefore, when, for the purpose of discharge of obligation mentioned in the second part of clause (b) of Section 30(2) of the Code, the dissenting financial creditors are to be “paid” an “amount” quantified in terms of the “proceeds” of assets receivable under Section 53 of the Code; and the “amount payable” is to be “paid” in priority over their assenting counterparts, the statute is referring only to the sum of money and not anything else. In the frame and purport of the provision and also the scheme of the Code, the expression “payment” is clearly descriptive of the action of discharge of obligation and at the same time, is also prescriptive of the mode of undertaking such an action. And, that action could only be of handing over the quantum of money, or allowing the recovery of such money by enforcement of security interest, as per the entitlement of the dissenting financial creditor.

121.2. We would hasten to observe that in case a dissenting financial creditor is a secured creditor and a valid security interest is created in his favour and is existing, the entitlement of such a dissenting financial creditor to receive the “amount payable” could also be satisfied by allowing him to enforce the security interest, to the extent of the value receivable by him and in the order of priority available to him. Obviously, by enforcing such a security interest, a dissenting financial creditor would receive “payment” to the extent of his entitlement and that would satisfy the requirement of Section 30(2)(b) of the Code [ Though it is obvious, but is clarified to avoid any ambiguity, that the “security interest” referred herein for the purpose of money recovery by dissenting financial creditor would only be such security interest which is relatable to the “financial debt” and not to any other debt or claim.] . In any case, that is, whether by direct payment in cash or by allowing recovery of amount via the mode of enforcement of security interest, the dissenting financial creditor is entitled to receive the “amount payable” in monetary terms and not in any other term.”


# 22. In the present case, it not the case of Respondent Nos.1 and 2 that they are not receiving the payment, which they could have been entitled under Section 53, sub-section (1). What have been contended is that payment to them is not in priority as compared to the payment to assenting Financial Creditors. We have already noticed and considered this submission and found that payment as provided in Resolution Plan is in accordance with the priority to the dissenting Financial Creditors, hence, we do not find any substance in the above submission.


# 23. We, thus, are of the view that the order impugned passed by the Adjudicating Authority is unsustainable and deserves to be set aside and the Application filed by RP deserves to be allowed.


# 24. It is relevant to notice that Resolution Plan submitted by Successful Resolution Applicant was approved by the CoC in the meeting dated 30.07.2021 and RP filed application for approval of Resolution Plan being IA No.2165 of 2021 immediately thereafter. The Corporate Debtor was engaged in sugar industry and was engaged in cane process. Sugarcane season has already begun as has been submitted by learned Counsel for the Appellant and inspite of the Plan having been approved on 30.07.2021 and 02.08.2021, the creditors including the Farmers are waiting for the amount to be paid and due to erroneous order passed by the Adjudicating Authority, rejecting the Resolution Plan, the Corporate Debtor could neither be revived nor creditors can be paid. We have looked into the Resolution Plan, Clause C-11, which deals with ‘concession and relief sought’, is as follows:

  • C-11: Concession and relief Sought

  • The Resolution Applicant, will approach all the concerned authorities for reliefs and concessions, if any hindrance is faced by the Resolution Applicant from any authority at later stage will approach the Tribunal after the sanction of the plan.

  • The carry forward losses are permitted under Section 79 of The Income Tax Act, 1961”


# 25. The Adjudicating Authority with regard to concession and relief has already observed that the Resolution Applicant will approach the concerned Authority after the sanction of the Plan, if any hinderance is faced by the Resolution Applicant. Thus, no further orders are required with regard to relevant concession and relief. We having held that Resolution Plan being fully in compliance with the provisions of Section 30, sub-section (2) and Regulation 38 of the CIRP Regulations, we are satisfied that Resolution Plan deserves to be approved by the Adjudicating Authority itself and Adjudicating Authority committed error in rejecting the IA No.2165 of 2021 filed by the RP for approval of the Resolution Plan. In view of the fact that more than two years have passed from the approval of the Resolution Plan by the CoC and all creditors are waiting for the amount to be paid and Corporate Debtor is waiting for being revived, who could not be revived due to order impugned, we are of the view that Resolution Plan submitted by Puro Naturals JV be approved.


# 26. In the result, all the Appeal(s) are allowed. The impugned order dated 01.05.2023 is set aside. I.A. No.2165 of 2021 filed by the RP for approval of Resolution Plan is allowed. The Resolution Plan submitted by Puro Naturals JV is approved. Let steps for implementation of Resolution Plan be taken by all concerned.


# 27. I.A. No. 963 of 2022 and I.A. No.112 of 2022 filed before the Adjudicating Authority by Respondent Nos.1 and 2 are rejected. Parties shall bear their own costs.

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RBL Bank Limited Vs. Sical Logistics Limited - Therefore, we hold that priority in payment will mean that whenever an amount is going to be distributed among creditors, the payment will be done pro-rata but the Dissenting Creditor has to be paid first before others. This is also in sync with the views taken by this Tribunal in para 19 of its judgment in the matter of Puro Naturals JV Vs Warana Sahakari Bank & Ors. in CA (AT) (Ins) Nos. 651, 661-663, 1005 of 2023,

 NCLAT (2025.03.28) in RBL Bank Limited Vs. Sical Logistics Limited [(2025) ibclaw.in 223 NCLAT, Company Appeal (AT) (CH) (Ins) No.36/2024 (IA Nos. 106, 107 & 779/2024)] held that.-  

  • The entitlement of Dissenting Creditor is laid down in Section 30(2)(b)(ii) along with explanation (I). Section 30(2)(b)(ii) stipulates that Resolution Plan shall provide for payment to a Dissenting Creditor, which shall not be less than the amount to be paid in accordance with Section 53(1) in the event of liquidation of the Corporate Debtor.

  • Explanation (I) states that the distribution under this Clause shall be fair and equitable to such Creditors. In the instant case, the resolution value is higher than liquidation value. So it is fair and equitable that the Dissenting Creditor gets a pro-rata share of the resolution value rather than the pro-rata share of the liquidation value. This being so, RBL Bank’s due should have been Rs. 42.09 Crores being 9.88% of the Resolution Plan pay out of Rs. 425.93 Crores and not Rs. 34.78 Crores being 9.88% of the liquidation value amounting to Rs. 351.88 Crores.

  • Therefore, we hold that priority in payment will mean that whenever an amount is going to be distributed among creditors, the payment will be done pro-rata but the Dissenting Creditor has to be paid first before others. This is also in sync with the views taken by this Tribunal in para 19 of its judgment in the matter of Puro Naturals JV Vs Warana Sahakari Bank & Ors. in CA (AT) (Ins) Nos. 651, 661-663, 1005 of 2023,

Excerpts of the Order;

These are two company appeals. The respective counsels, representing the parties in two appeals have unanimously agreed that, since the issues of law and facts are common, in both appeals, they may be considered and decided together.


# 2. In Company Appeal (AT) (CH) (Ins) No. 36/2024, RBL Bank Limited versus Sical Logistic Limited and 21 others, the Appellant (RBL Bank Limited) questions the propriety of the impugned order of 20.12.2023, as passed in IA (IBC) No. 1188/2023 which was preferred by Respondent No.1 in CP(IB)No.73/2020 herein (Sical Logistics Limited) Sical Logistic Limited Versus Mr. Sripatham Venkatasubramanian Ramkumar and 21 others. By virtue of the said impugned order, Ld. Adjudicating Authority has directed the Appellant (RBL Bank Limited), Respondent No.3 (Bank of Baroda) and other members of Committee of Creditors (CoC)

  • (i) to release all original title documents of the assets of the Corporate Debtor (CD) to the Respondent No.1 herein (Sical Logistics Limited), for facilitating the sale of said assets, including two pieces of land situated in Madhavaram, Chennai, in terms of approved Resolution Plan,

  • (ii) to facilitate the regulatory filing in relation to the sale of the said assets of the Corporate Debtor and

  • (iii) to execute the respective definitive agreements as stipulated under the approved Resolution Plan.


# 4. There is an exemption application being IA No. 107/2024, preferred by the Ld. Counsel for the Appellant, seeking an exemption from placing on record the certified copy of the impugned order, owing to the grounds taken in the exemption application preferred under Rule 31 of the NCLAT Rules 2016. The same would stand ‘allowed’ and the exemption as prayed for, from filing of the certified copy of the impugned order, since it is not being opposed by the counsels for the other side, would stand ‘disposed of’ subject to the above observations.


# 5. In the connected company appeal being Company Appeal (AT) (CH) (Ins) No. 37/2024, RBL Bank Limited versus Sical Logistic Limited and 03 others, the challenge is given by the Appellant (RBL Bank Limited) to the impugned order of 20.12.2023, as it was passed in IA (IBC) No.1329/(CHE)2023, as preferred in Company Petition (IB) No. 73/2020, whereby the Ld. Tribunal has declined the prayer to restrain Respondent No. 1 (SICAL Logistics Limited) from alienating the assets of the Corporate Debtor, provided as security to the Appellant herein and rejected the relief sought for, in the IA (IBC) No. 1329/2023, with the observations, that “the members of the erstwhile Committee of Creditors”, are directed, to take action within a period of one month from the date of the order, to redraw the distribution matrix by taking into account the amount already disbursed, the amount withheld and future receipts based on the principles to the effect that “the Dissenting Creditors shall be paid the amount in accordance with Section 53(1) of the I & B Code”, in the event of liquidation, in compliance with the terms of provision contained under Section 30(2) of the I & B Code, 2016, as mentioned in Para 1.2.9.1(b) of the Resolution Plan and the Dissenting Financial Creditors shall be paid in priority over the Assenting Financial Creditors as held in IA(IBC) No. 250/(CHE)2023.


# 6. For all practical purposes since the counsels have agreed to address the Company Appeal (AT) (CH) (Ins) No. 36/2024 on merits, nothing much is required to be ventured into in this Appeal, i.e., CA (AT) (CH) (Ins) No. 37/2024 because the entire controversy would be confined to be determined from the perspective as to whether the amount paid and to be paid to the Appellant (RBL Bank) is in terms of Section 30(2) of the I & B Code, 2016, as mentioned in Para 1.2.9 (1)(b) of the Resolution Plan and under what terms the Appellant will part with his title deeds in favour of Respondent No. 1. It may be noted that in this appeal too, since the Respondents being common in view of the ‘Affidavit of Service’ as already referred above, they will be treated as having been served with the notices.


# 7. Heard the Ld. Counsels, for the parties. At the very outset, the Ld. Counsel for the Respondent had extended an offer that, since he is to pay Rs. 105 Crores by 11.01.2025 (Effective date +2 years) and balance Rs. 226 Crores by 11.07.2025 (Effective date +2 years 6 months), he is ready to deposit Rs. 105 Crores (One Hundred and Five Crores Only) in 2 weeks and the balance Rs. 226 Crores within stipulated time frame and requested that consequent to the remittance of the said amount, the title deeds of the assets which were thus surrendered by him to the Financial Creditors, including the Appellant (RBL Bank), may be directed to be returned back and handed over to him in original, as per the approved Resolution Plan.


# 8. Ld. Counsel for the Appellant responded to this statement of Respondent No. 1 by contending that he is a Dissenting Financial Creditor (FC), that he is entitled a share of 9.88% of the Resolution Plan value of Rs. 425 Crores and therefore he should be given Rs. 42.09 Crores being 9.88% of 425 Crores, that as a dissenting Creditor he should get priority in payment and therefore as Rs. 54.32 Crores has been remitted by Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) as the 1st tranche of the Resolution amount he should have been paid Rs. 42.09 Crores in full, but instead he has been paid Rs. 9.38 Crores only and that his share has been reduced to Rs. 34.78 Crores being 9.88% of the estimated liquidation value of Rs. 351.88 Crores, that thus the Resolution Plan has violated Section 30(2) of the Code and hence he is not bound to return the title deeds as envisaged in the approved Resolution Plan, unless directions are given to pay the Dissenting Financial Creditors in terms of Clause 1.2.9 (1) (b) of the said plan.


# 9. The Resolution Plan that was approved by Committee of Creditors (CoC) on 29.02.2022, and later on, affirmed by Ld. NCLT on 08.12.2022 in IA(IBC)No.366/2022 amounts to payment of Rs. 521.82 Crores by the Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA), Respondent No. 1 herein, the breakup of which is given below: –

  • i) Payment of secured FCs – upfront: Rs 54.32 Crores (Effective Date +30 days)

  • ii) Payment of Secured FCs from the internal cash balance of the Corporate Debtor: Rs. 40.63 Crores (Effective Date +30 days)

  • iii) Payment of Secured FCs – deferred Lot-1: Rs. 105 Crores.

  • iv) Payment of Secured FCs: deferred Lot-2: Rs. 226 Crores.

  • v) Payment of Secured FCs, if live BGs are invoked: Rs. 84.82 Crores. The effective date was also determined to be 11.01.2023


# 10. We may not be much concerned at this stage, with regards to the Resolution Plan and its implication, which stood approved by the Committee of Creditors, because the only controversy which, has been addressed upon by the Ld. Counsel for the Respondent was as to how and when the amount thus determined qua the Appellant, who was held to be a Dissenting Financial Creditor, is to be settled and its appropriate quantification. As per the Resolution Plan, the Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) on 11.01.2023, as per the clause 1.2.9(1)(a) of the plan, infused Rs. 54.32 Crores as the upfront payment. This amount alongwith Rs. 40.63 Crores (income tax refund) were to be distributed among the secured FCs. At this point of time, dispute arose as to how this amount is to be distributed and what share will be given to the Dissenting Financial Creditors, who were entitled to, as per Clause 1.2.9(1)(b) of the plan, to an amount which they would have otherwise received in accordance with the provisions contained under Section 30(2)(b)(ii) read with Section 53(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, in priority to the Assenting Financial Creditors. This issue of distribution was taken up in Joint Lenders Meeting (JLM): as per Resolution Plan, the Appellant RBL Bank was to receive an amount of Rs. 42.09 Crores, being 9.88% of the total Resolution Plan pay out (without the BG return) of Rs. 425.93 Crores. Accordingly, the Appellant was paid Rs. 9.38 Crores being 9.88% of the amount available for distribution which was Rs. 94.93 Crores (54.32 + 40.61 Crores). However, the Appellant demanded full payment of Rs. 42.09 Crores, claiming that he is entitled to paid in priority over Assenting FCs as per the plan and as the provisions of I & B Code, 2016. At this point, JLM tried to work out various formulas to accommodate the claims of the Appellant (RBL Bank), but the Appellant was not satisfied.


# 11. Aggrieved against the said determination of the fund-sharing ratio, by the JLM, the Appellant filed IA (IBC) No. 250/2023 in IA (IBC) No. 366/2022 in CP(IB) No. 73/2020, with the prayer to, direct the Resolution Professional to strictly adhere to the terms of the Resolution Plan and remit the balance amount of Rs. 32.71 Crores (total amount payable of Rs. 42.09 Crores minus the amount of Rs. 9.38 Crores already paid on 13.01.2023) as settled to be paid, in terms of the the plan as approved by the Ld. Adjudicating Authority and to pay the amount from the initial tranche of fund thus infused.


# 12. In addition, the Appellant in the said application in IA (IBC) No. 250/2023, prayed that the Hon’ble Tribunal may report, regarding the actions of the Respondent No.01 in IA i.e., the Resolution Professional, to IBBI for further and appropriate action. So far as the other reliefs are concerned, we may not be much concerned, while deciding these appeals except for relief A, which has been extracted hereunder: -.

  • “A. The Respondent No. 1, the Resolution Professional, be directed to make payment of the sum of Rs. 32.71 crores to the Applicant herein (i.e. the total amount payable under the terms of resolution plan Rs.42.09 crores minus the amount received by the Applicant on 13.01.2023 Rs.9.38 crores) in line with the resolution plan of the Respondent No.2, successful resolution applicant, dated 08.01.2022 (amended on 11.02.2022 and 24.02.2022) which was approved by this Hon’ble Tribunal vide order dated 08.12.2022;”


# 13. IA (IBC) No. 250/2023, was vehemently contested by the respective parties including the Appellant. The Ld. Adjudicating Authority on considering the rival contentions while deciding IA (IBC) No. 250/2023, including the narration of facts pertaining to the basis of the claim, its determination and the quantification of the entitlement of the Dissenting and Assenting Creditors came to the conclusion in Para B9 of the order rendered in IA (IBC) No. 250/2023 that, the Dissenting Creditor would be entitled to be paid with the amount that shall be paid to such Dissenting Creditors in accordance with Section 53 (1) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, which has been provided in the plan in its clause 1.2.9(b) of the Resolution Plan. With regard to priority in payment, the Ld. Adjudicating Authority has referred to the interplay of Section 30(2) with regards to the entitlement of the Dissenting Financial Creditor to receive payment in priority over others with the implications of Regulation 38 (1)(b) of IBBI (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations 2016 which contemplates for conferring the Dissenting Financial Creditors a priority in the payment.


# 14. Regulation 38 (1)(b) of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board Of India (Insolvency Resolution Process For Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016 is extracted hereunder: –

  • “38. Mandatory contents of the resolution plan.

  • [(1)The amount payable under a resolution plan-

  • (a) to the operational creditors shall be paid in priority over financial creditors; and

  • (b) to the financial creditors, who have a right to vote under sub-section (2) of section 21 and did not vote in favour of the resolution plan, shall be paid in priority over financial creditors who voted in favour of the plan.]”


# 15. The Ld. Adjudicating Authority, upon the determination of the implication of Regulation 38 with Section 30(2) of the I & B Code, 2016 ultimately drew a conclusion in the following manner: –

  • “CONCLUSION:

  • 18. In the light of the above discussions, we are of the view that:

  • i) The classification of amount payable as ‘disputed’ and ‘undisputed’ in the Joint Lenders meeting subsequent to approval of Resolution Plan is not valid.

  • ii) The amount payable to dissenting creditors is the minimum amount prescribed in Section 30(2)(b) of IBC, which has been provided for in clause 1.2.9 (b) of the resolution plan.”

  • iii) The dissenting lenders will be paid in priority over the assenting lenders.


# 16. Going further, the Ld. Adjudicating Authority while deciding IA (IBC) No. 250/2023 had gone on to determine the amount payable to the Appellant herein, RBL Bank in its order dated 20.12.2023, as contained under Clause B to be read with the conclusion arrived at which are extracted hereunder: –

  • “B.) What is the amount eligible to be paid to dissenting creditors in case the amount payable under resolution plan is more than liquidation value?

  • B1). In the instant case, the resolution amount is higher than the liquidation value. The Applicant RBL Bank arrived at its share of Rs.42.09 crores by calculating 9.88% on the resolution plan value i.e. Rs.425.93 crores instead of calculating the share on the liquidation value. The liquidation value is Rs.351.88 crores. Assuming non-deduction of CIRP cost and workmen dues etc., the Applicant is entitled to receive its share as per the liquidation value i.e. 9.88% of Rs.351.88 crores, which comes to Rs.34.76 crores only as opposed to the Applicant claims of Rs.42.09 crores. In the JLM held 13.01.2023, the Applicant had demanded that if the liquidation value is to be taken, then the same shall be as per the liquidation value of the individual lenders.


# 17. During the proceedings of the instant appeals, the Ld. Counsel for the Bank of Baroda, the lead member of the Committee of Creditors, Respondent No.3 herein has contended that in the absence of a challenge given to the order of 20.12.2023 rendered in IA (IBC) No. 250/2023 as above, where the quantification of the amount claimed by the Appellant has already been determined and status of priority has also been decided in para 18(3) of the order, strictly in conformity with Regulation 38 to be read with Section 30(2)(b), the ambit and scope of the right of the Appellant cannot be magnified in any manner whatsoever beyond the order of 20.12.2023 in the instant proceedings. Thus, he submits, that in the absence of any challenge given to the said order dated 20.12.2023 rendered in IA (IBC) No. 250/2023, the Appellant cannot argue to the contrary with regards to the quantification of the rights. In other words, he wants to submit that, whatsoever claim if any is required to be determined for the Appellant it has had to be confined to the parameters and the determination made by the order of 20.12.2023 in IA. No. 250/2023 by Ld. Adjudicating Authority and nothing beyond that. There is no quarrel by the parties on the said issue except for the fact that, the Ld. Counsel for the Appellant has attempted to draw the attention of this Appellate Tribunal to, the relevant parts of the Resolution Plan specifying his entitlement and particularly a statement in which 2 scenarios of payment were presented. The Appellant contended that in both Scenarios i.e., Scenario – 01 which deals with the “pro-rata payment to the assenting and the dissenting creditors”, and Scenario – 02 which envisages with ‘100% upfront payment to Dissenting Creditors, his name finds place at Serial No. 03 as a dissenting creditor in both the columns and in both scenarios, it has been determined that he has to be paid with 42.09 Crores. The relevant extracts of the column are given hereunder: –

“Scenario 1: Pro rata to assenting and dissenting creditors (excluding BG amounts)

(INR Crore)

Voting Status

CoC Member

Upfront

Deferred

Total

Assenting

Bank of Baroda

31.70

110.55

142.25

Assenting

Yes Bank Ltd

16.77

58.49

75.27

Dissenting

RBL bank Limited

9.38

32.71

42.09

Assenting

IDFC Bank Limited

12.27

42.78

55.05

Assenting

Canara Bank

8.22

28.65

36.87

Scenario 2: 100% upfront to dissenting creditors (excluding BG amounts)

(INR Crore)

Voting Status

CoC Member

Upfront

Deferred

Total

Assenting

Bank of Baroda

11.72

130.54

142.25

Assenting

Yes Bank Ltd

6.20

69.07

75.27

Dissenting

RBL bank Limited

42.09

42.09

Assenting

IDFC Bank Limited

4.54

50.52

55.05

Assenting

Canara Bank


# 18. At this stage, we feel that Ld. Adjudicating Authority has erred in holding that the amount payable to a Dissenting Creditor is the minimum amount prescribed in Section 30(2)(b) of I & B Code, 2016, which is the amount to be determined as per Section 53(1) of the I & B Code, 2016, in the event of liquidation of the Corporate Debtor in compliance with the provision of Section 30(2) of the Code as mentioned in para 1.2.9.1.b of the approved Resolution Plan. The entitlement of Dissenting Creditor is laid down in Section 30(2)(b)(ii) along with explanation (I). Section 30(2)(b)(ii) stipulates that Resolution Plan shall provide for payment to a Dissenting Creditor, which shall not be less than the amount to be paid in accordance with Section 53(1) in the event of liquidation of the Corporate Debtor. This implies that the payment to be given shall not be less than the proportionate share of liquidation value. Explanation (I) states that the distribution under this Clause shall be fair and equitable to such Creditors. In the instant case, the resolution value is higher than liquidation value. So it is fair and equitable that the Dissenting Creditor gets a pro-rata share of the resolution value rather than the pro-rata share of the liquidation value. This being so, RBL Bank’s due should have been Rs. 42.09 Crores being 9.88% of the Resolution Plan pay out of Rs. 425.93 Crores and not Rs. 34.78 Crores being 9.88% of the liquidation value amounting to Rs. 351.88 Crores. Even though the order passed in IA No. 250/2023 is claimed to have attained finality, there are elements of challenge to it in the instant Appeal CA(AT)(CH)(Ins) No. 36/2024, the Appellant seeks the following reliefs:

  • “21 RELIEFS SOUGHT

  • In view of the facts mentioned in Paragraph 7 above, the points in dispute and the questions of law as set out in Paragraph 8 above, and the grounds as set out in paragraph 9 above, it is humbly prayed before this Hon’ble Appellate Tribunal may be pleased to:

  • i. Allow the present Appeal and set aside the Impugned Order dated 20.12.2023 passed in I.A. (IBC) No. 1188 of 2023 in C.P. (IB) 73/2020 and consequently direct payments to be made to the Mandatory Dissenting Financial Creditors in terms of Clause 1.2.9.(1)(b) of the resolution plan.

  • ii. Pass such other orders as this Hon’ble Appellate Tribunal may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice.”


Thus, the Appellant in the present Appeal is seeking direction for payments to be made to the mandatory Dissenting Creditors in terms of Clause 1.2.9(1)(b) of the Resolution Plan. Clause 1.2.9(1)(b) stipulates that the payment to such Financial Creditors will be made as per Section 30(2)(b) of I & B Code, 2016, whose provisions are in variance with the order of Ld. Adjudicating Authority in IA No. 250/2023. Therefore, it will be correct to satisfy the ends of equity and justice, to hold that the Appellant will be entitled to an amount of Rs. 42.09 Crores and that all other Dissenting FCs will also be paid proportionate share of Resolution Plan value.


# 19. The second issue in contention is that of receiving payment in priority. Section 30(2)(b)(ii) stipulates payment of debts of dissenting FCs in such manner as may be specified by IBBI. IBBI has specified the relevant guidelines in Regulation 38(1)(b) of IBBI (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016, which is that such dissenting FCs shall be paid in priority over assenting FCs. The Ld. Adjudicating Authority has also directed that the dissenting Financial Creditors will be paid in priority over the assenting Financial Creditors in the manner as discussed in para C1 – C6 of its order dated 20.12.2023. But full clarity is yet to be made available in the said order dated 20.12.2023. Will the Appellant (RBL Bank) get its dues in full, before any payment is given to other Assenting Creditors which he is praying for? This has not been answered clearly in the said order and has been left to be interpreted by the monitoring committee. We are of the view that priority in payment will mean that whenever any payment is released by the Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) to the FCs, the Dissenting Creditor will still be paid pro-rata, but first in case where SRA pays the plan amount at one go, then the issue is simple, pay dissenting FC first and then to other FCs. But in most cases, payments from Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) will come in instalments: this being the case, payment to creditors will have to be paid in instalments. Further, even within an instalment, fund infusion may be done in stages. In such a case it may not be possible to pay in full to the Dissenting Creditors before disbursement to Assenting Creditors can start. Therefore, we hold that priority in payment will mean that whenever an amount is going to be distributed among creditors, the payment will be done pro-rata but the Dissenting Creditor has to be paid first before others. This is also in sync with the views taken by this Tribunal in para 19 of its judgment in the matter of Puro Naturals JV Vs Warana Sahakari Bank & Ors. in CA (AT) (Ins) Nos. 651, 661-663, 1005 of 2023, which has also been referred by the Ld. Adjudicating Authority


# 20. The controversy ultimately boils down, to the issue dealt with in IA No. 1188/2023, which is the subject matter of consideration in the instant company appeal CA(AT)(CH)(Ins) No. 361/2024. In the application thus filed, the Applicant therein (Sical Logistics Limited) had modulated the relief in the following manner: –

  • a) RBL Bank, Bank of Baroda and other member of CoC of the Corporate Debtor to release all the original title documents of the assets of the Corporate Debtor, as may be required from time to time, for facilitating the sale of the said assets including 1.37 acres of land at GNT Road, Madhavaram and 1.82 acres of land at Thattankulam, Madhavaram in terms of the Approved Resolution Plan.

  • b) Direct them to facilitate any regulatory filing in relation to the sale of assets of the Corporate Debtor as above.

  • c) Direct them to waive off interest on the deferred Financial Creditors payments till the release of original title documents of the 2 pieces of lands as given above.

  • d) Direct the Resolution Professional and the members of CoC to execute the necessary agreements in pursuant to the approved Resolution Plan.


# 21. Ld. Adjudicating Authority has considered the above application being IA No. 1188/2023 and has decided the same vide the impugned judgment dated 20.12.2023. Further, the Ld. Adjudicating Authority while dealing with the implications of the IA No. 1188/2023, where the release of the title documents was prayed for, has observed that, there has been a settled obligation, which was required to be fulfilled as per the terms of the approved Resolution Plan, that is, the Corporate Debtor would be handed over to the Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) as a going concern along with its management control and operation and the Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA), as part of the implementation of the Resolution Plan, would have to disburse a sum of Rs. 331,00,00,000/- as deferred FC debt payments to the Financial Creditors in two installments, that is, Rs. 105,00,00,000/- within a period of two years and the balance amount of Rs. 226,00,00,000/- within two years and six months of the effective date. It was further observed that the Corporate Debtor has also agreed to pay the interest at the rate of 8% per annum, payable annually at the end of each year as computed on a monthly basis for the deferred component to be paid to the Financial Creditors.


# 22. The Ld. Adjudicating Authority, while considering the stand taken by the Ld. Counsel for the Appellant regarding the IA No. 1188/2023, has made reference to the order passed on 20.12.2023 on IA (IBC) 250/2023. According to the findings recorded, the Ld. Adjudicating Authority while making reference to the terms and conditions contained in Para 1.2.9.1(m), of the Resolution Plan has observed that it will be a deemed consent of the Financial Creditor for the sale of non-core assets as the relevant clause 1.2.9.1(m) has envisaged that in the event of any sale in relation to the secured fixed assets of the Corporate Debtor, the money realized from such sale shall be utilized for making the payment towards the deferred Financial Creditors dues, and the Financial Creditors shall be deemed to have provided their consent to such sale on approval of this Resolution Plan. The relevant part of the resolution plan is contained under Para 1.2.9. 1(m) is extracted hereunder: -.

  • “(m) in case, any sale in envisaged in relation to the secured fixed assets of the Corporate Debtor, the monies realized from such sale shall be utilized for making payments towards the Deferred FC Debt Payment and Financial Creditors shall be deemed to have provided their consent to such sale on approval of this Resolution Plan”


# 23. The Ld. Adjudicating Authority, while dealing with the provisions contained under Section 31 of the I & B code, 2016, in terms of the approval of the plan and the decision which was taken by the monitoring committee has held it to be having a binding effect and has observed that it is expected that the Financial Creditors would cooperate and fulfill their role regarding, the release of the title deed and the sale of non-core assets, facilitating of the regulatory filing in relation to the sale of assets, and execution of the definitive documents including term documents, agreements, etc.


# 24. Lastly, the decision which was taken by the Ld. Adjudicating Authority, with regards to the reliefs, as claimed in IA No. 1188/2023, is extracted hereunder: -.

  • “23. In view of the reasons mentioned above, the reliefs as prayed for in para (a), (b), and (d) are granted and it is ordered as under.

  • (a) RBL Bank / Respondent No. 2, Bank of Baroda / Respondent No. 3 and other members of the committee of creditors i.e., Respondent Nos. 4 to 22 of the Corporate Debtor are directed to release all the original title documents of the assets of the Corporate Debtor to the Applicant for facilitating the sale of the said assets, including sale of 1.37 acres of land situated at GNT Road, Madhavaram and 1.82 acres of land situated at Thattankulam, Madhavaram, in terms of the Approved Resolution Plan.

  • (b) The Respondent Nos. 2 to 22 are directed to facilitate any regulatory filing, in relation to the sale of assets of the CD including issuance of any documents as required / sought by the person including the Government / authority / office for enabling the sale of the assets including sale of 1.37 acres of land situated at GNT Road, Madhavaram and 1.82 acres of land situated at Thattankulam, Madhavaram, in terms of the Approved Resolution Plan.

  • (d) Respondent Nos. 2 to 22 are directed to execute the respective definitive documents including Term Debt Agreement, Declaration of Trust and Trustee Agreement, etc., and take steps pursuant thereof as stipulated under the Approved Resolution Plan. Respondent No. 1 is also directed to provide all assistance / facilitation as required by the Applicant for the above.

  • 24. As regard relief which has been prayed in para (c) of the relief clause, the applicant in its application itself has stated that in terms of para 1.2.9.1(m) of resolution plan, financial creditors shall be deemed to have provided consent to such sale on the approval of resolution plan. Since the Corporate Debtor has every right to go ahead with sale of non-core assets, post sanction of the plan and there is approval of the monitoring committee and all the creditors barring RBL Bank Ltd. as to going towards that part payment of amount due to Financial Creditors, the relief as sought for in para (c) regarding waiver of interest for the deferred FC payment amount is declined.

  • 25. In the light of what has been stated above, the Application IA/IBC/1188/CHE/2023 stands disposed of.”


# 25. At the inception of the judgment, we have observed that, Respondent No. 1 (Sical Logistic Limited), while opening the argument has made the statement that whatsoever financial liability has been fastened upon them, under the Resolution Plan, coupled with the long challenge made to the order of 20.12.2023 passed in IA (IBC) 250/2023, they unconditionally undertake to deposit the entire financial liability with the Resolution Professional by 30.03.2025, and have submitted thereafter that subject to the aforesaid deposit to be made by the Respondent within the aforesaid period, the title documents of the assets of the Corporate Debtor thus retained by the Financial Creditors will be returned to the Resolution Professional who would in turn return them to the Respondent No. 01 herein.


# 26. Owing to the aforesaid facts, the following issues are hereby determined:

  • i. The amount determined to be paid under the Resolution Plan would be remitted by the Respondent No. 1 in consonance to the provisions contained under Section 30(2)(b) to be read with Regulation 38 to the Resolution Professional latest by 31.03.2025.

  • ii. Respondent No. 2 will distribute the amount among the FCs in the manner as detailed in the Resolution Plan and para 18 & 19 of this judgment.

  • iii. Simultaneously, upon the deposit of the due full amount made by Respondent No. 1, the respective Financial Creditors holding the title deeds of the assets of the Corporate Debtor will return them to the Resolution Professional, who in turn will return the same to the Respondent No. 1.


# 27. For the aforesaid reasons, these ‘appeals’ would stand ‘allowed’, and all the pending ‘Interlocutory Applications’ would stand ‘closed’.

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