18th May, 2026 Approval of Resolution Plan - Vishal Structurals Private Limited [IA(IBC)(Plan)/27/MB/2026 in CP (IB) No. 22 of 2025] (363.05 KB)
IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH- I
IA(IBC)(Plan)/27/MB/2026
IN
CP (IB) No. 22 of 2025
Under Section 30(6) read with Section
31(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Code, 2016
In the matter of and in
IA(IBC)(Plan)/27/MB/2026
Mr. Prashant Jain Resolution
Professional of Vishal Structurals
Private Limited
…Applicant
In the matter of Bank of India …Financial Creditor Versus Vishal Structurals Private Limited …Corporate Debtor
Order Delivered On : 15.05.2026
Coram:
Sh.Prabhat Kumar
Sh.Sushil Mahadeorao Kochey
Member (Technical)
Member (Judicial)
Appearances: For the Applicant : Adv. Mily Ghoshal a/w Adv. Sophia Hussain
IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH- I
IA(IBC)(Plan)/27/2026 in CP(IB) No. 22 of 2025
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ORDER Per: Coram
Brief Background
- The present Application is filed by Mr. Prashant Jain, (“Applicant/Resolution Professional”) of Vishal Structurals Private Limited (“Corporate Debtor”) under Section 30(6) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“Code”) for seeking approval of the Resolution Plan dated 01.01.2026 (including the changes made thereafter) submitted by Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited (“Successful Resolution Applicant/SRA”) and for passing order/appropriate direction that this Tribunal may deem fit in the present matter. The Resolution Plan has been approved by 100% majority in the 7th CoC meeting held on 01.12.2025 and adjourned to 04.12.2025.
- The Corporate Debtor is a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956 incorporated on 21.12.1983 bearing CIN U28920MH1983PTC030252. Its registered office is at Unit No. 701-706, 7th Floor, Krishna-Govinda Tower Plot No.22-26, Sector 24, Vashi, Opp. Sanpada Rly. Stn, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400705.
- The Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (“CIRP”) of the Corporate Debtor commenced upon admission of CP (IB) / 22 (MB) 2025 filed under Section 7 of the Code by this Tribunal on 12.03.2025, wherein Mr. Prashant Jain was appointed as the Interim Resolution Professional (“IRP”).
- Pursuant thereto, the Applicant issued the public announcement in prescribed ‘Form A’ on 13.03.2025, in Financial Express (All India Edition - English) and Navakal (Mumbai Edition - Marathi) inviting claims from creditors. The Applicant, after verifying the claims of creditors received by him, constituted the Committee of Creditors (“CoC”) of the Corporate Debtor in accordance with Section 21 of the Code. The
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CoC comprised solely of one Secured Financial Creditor, namely Bank of India. 5. The first meeting of the CoC was convened on 11.04.2025 wherein the Applicant was confirmed as the Resolution Professional of the Corporate Debtor. 6. In furtherance of the CIRP, the Applicant published Form-G inviting Expressions of Interest on 12.05.2025 and further an extended Form-G on 27.05.2025 in Financial Express (All India Edition - English) and Navakal (Mumbai Edition - Marathi). Thereafter, the final list of Prospective Resolution Applicants ("PRAs") was issued on 05.07.2025, comprising 10 PRAs. The Information Memorandum, Evaluation Matrix, and Request for Resolution Plan ("RFRP") were issued to the PRAs on 05.07.2025. The last date for submission of Resolution Plans was fixed as 09.08.2025 as per the amended Form-G. Upon requests for extension of time received from the PRAs, and having regard to the level of interest demonstrated, the CoC extended the last date for submission of Resolution Plan on three occasions- first to 24.08.2025, then to 28.08.2025, and thereafter to 01.09.2025. 7. Finally, three PRAs, namely: (i) Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited; (ii) Derit Infrastructure Private Limited; and (iii) Shri. Danesh Contractor, submitted their respective Resolution Plans. 8. The said plans were opened and deliberated upon in the 4th CoC Meeting held on 02.09.2025. In the 5th CoC Meeting, after discussion on the commercial aspects of the Resolution Plans, the CoC granted time until 03.09.2025 for submission of revised plans. The time limit was further extended up to 14.10.2025 on a request from one of the PRAs. Revised Resolution Plans were received by the Applicant on 14.10.2025. In the 6th CoC meeting held on 11.11.2025, the CoC members advised all the PRAs to consider further enhancing their financial offers up till 24.11.2025. Within the said period, Derit Infrastructure Private Limited and Bekem
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Infra Projects Private Limited duly submitted their revised Resolution Plans; Shri Danesh Contractor, however, communicated that his present offer be treated as his final offer and that he would not be submitting any revised plan. The revised plans were opened, discussed at length, and considered in the 7th CoC Meeting held on 01.12.2025 and adjourned on 04.12.2025. 9. The Applicant apprised the CoC that the Revised Resolution Plan submitted by Derit Infrastructure Private Limited was non-compliant, ambiguous and conditional in nature and no clarification was submitted by them in writing in this relation. 10. Further, the other two PRAs had expressed conveyed that they did not intend to revise their financial offer in the 7th CoC meeting held on 01.12.2025, however further, Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited had stated that they were willing to reconsider and possibly enhance their financial offer upon receipt of certain requisite documents and clarifications. Accordingly, vide email dated 19.01.2026 and 10.02.2026, they made further changes in the Resolution Plan. All three Resolution Plans were placed for voting. The voting commenced on 08.12.2025 and ended on 23.02.2026. During Voting, one of the PRAs namely, Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited submitted the compliant Resolution Plan dated 01.01.2026 and enhanced the financial offer for the secured creditor pursuant to discussion in the 7th CoC meeting held on 01.12.2025. 11. The Resolution Plan submitted by Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited was approved with a voting share of 100% of the CoC. 12. Consequent to the approval of the Resolution Plan by the CoC, the Applicant issued a Letter of Intent dated 04.03.2026 ("LoI") in favour of the Successful Resolution Applicant ("SRA"). The SRA accepted the LoI on 06.03.2026 in accordance with the RFRP, and furnished a Performance Security of Rs. 1,04,50,000/- (Rupees One Crore Four Lakhs and Fifty Thousand Only) on 06.03.2026.
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- In view of the approval of the Resolution Plan by the CoC, the Applicant has filed the present Interlocutory Application seeking approval of the Resolution Plan submitted by Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Objection to the Admitted Amount by EPFO
- The EPFO submitted a claim of Rs. 3,25,54,337/- vide email dated 02.06.2025 for the period from June 2018 onwards till Insolvency Commencement Date. The following is the breakup of the claim:
Upon verification, the Applicant observed that as per the Audited Balance Sheet for FY 2023-24, the PF payable under "Other Current Liabilities" stood at Rs. 79,50,560/-. It was further noted that the EPFO's claim was computed on a pro-rata basis, in the absence of employee-wise data, and that there have been no active employees of the Corporate Debtor since 2023.
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The EPFO, in its objection filed in this IA, submitted that the Corporate
Debtor had been in default in remitting statutory dues since June 2018 and
was consequently liable for penal damages and interest under Sections
14B and 7Q of the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous
Provisions Act, 1952. The quantum of dues was computed on the basis of
an order passed under Section 7A of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 for the
period July 2018 to March 2023, which was applied on a pro-rata basis for
the subsequent period up to 12.03.2025.
The Applicant submits that the Resolution Plan adequately provides for
payment of admitted dues of Rs. 79,50,560/- as reflected in the audited
financials. With respect to the component of penal damages and interest
under Sections 14B and 7Q, the Applicant submits that no independent
adjudicatory order has been passed by the competent authority
determining such liability. In the absence of a formal statutory
determination, the Applicant has not been afforded any opportunity to
contest the said liability. Accordingly, the said component remains
uncrystallized and inchoate, and cannot be mechanically admitted in the
CIRP. Further, the claims pertaining to the period post April 2023 are
solely based on pro-rata extrapolation in the absence of employee-wise
data, and therefore cannot be accepted as a crystallized claim.
Limitation:
The CIRP period of 180 days of the Corporate Debtor expired on
18.09.2025, the Applicant sought an extension of 90 days beyond the
initial period of 180 days which expired on 07.12.2025. Thereafter, a
further extension of 60 days beyond 270 was sought and allowed, which
expired on 05.02.2026. Subsequently, as the Resolution Plan was under
voting, this Tribunal granted an additional extension of 30 days, i.e., up
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to 07.03.2026. The present Application is filed on 07.03.2026 and thus is filed within the prescribed period of limitation.
Salient Features of the Resolution Plan a. Financial Proposal:
Working capital will be infused freshly over and above the Resolution Plan amount as mentioned hereinabove:
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b. Sources of Funds:
It is submitted that the Resolution Amount shall be brought in by the
Resolution Applicant through its existing surplus cash balances and
internal accruals. The Resolution Applicant has cash flows after taxes of
Rs. 134 crores (FY 2024-25, provisional), cash and bank balances of Rs.
6 Crores and Rs. 70 crores respectively, and a net worth of Rs. 695 crores
as at 31st March 2025. Further, the Resolution Applicant has sanctioned
bank credit facilities of Rs. 1,150 crores and average utilization is about
50%. It is therefore submitted that the aforesaid sources are sufficient and
adequate to meet the Resolution Amount within the stipulated timelines.
The Resolution Plan further provides for the constitution of a Monitoring Committee to oversee and supervise the implementation of the Plan. The said Committee shall comprise the Applicant (Resolution Professional), one representative of the Resolution Applicant, and one nominee of the CoC. The management and control of the Corporate Debtor shall, upon approval of the Plan, vest in the Monitoring Committee, which shall monitor and facilitate the implementation of the approved Plan. Upon completion of the implementation and final payment of the last tranche, the Monitoring Committee shall stand dissolved, and the management of
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the Corporate Debtor shall be formally handed over to the Resolution Applicant.
Statutory Compliance:
15. In compliance of Section 30(2) of IBC, 2016, the Resolution Professional
has examined the Resolution plan of the Successful Resolution Applicant
and confirms that this Resolution Plan:
a) Provides for payment of Insolvency Resolution Process cost in
a manner specified by the Board in the priority to the payment
of other debts of the corporate debtor;
b) Provides for payment of debts of Operational Creditor 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
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 sub-section (1)
of Section 53 in the event of liquidation of the corporate
debtor.
c) Provides for management of the affairs of the Corporate Debtor
after approval of Resolution Plan;
d) The implementation and supervision of Resolution Plan;
e) Does not contravene any of the provisions of the law for time
being in force,
f) Confirms to such other requirements as may be specified by
the Board.
g) As per the Affidavit, the Resolution Applicant is not covered
under Section 29A.
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- In compliance of Regulation 38 of CIRP Regulations, the Resolution
Professional confirms that the Resolution plan provides that -
a) The amount due to the Operational Creditors under Resolution
Plan shall be given priority in payment over Financial
Creditors.
b) It has dealt with the interest of all Stakeholders including
Financial Creditors and Operational Creditors of the Corporate
Debtor.
c) A statement that neither the Resolution Applicants nor any
related parties have failed to implement nor have contributed
to the failure of implementation of any other Resolution Plan
approved by the Adjudicating Authority in the past.
d) The terms of the plan and its implementation schedule.
e) The management and control of the business of the Corporate
Debtor during its term.
f) Adequate means of Supervising its implementation.
g) The Resolution Plan Demonstrates that it addresses
i. The cause of the Default ii. It is feasible and viable iii. Provision for effective implementation iv. Provisions for approvals required and the time lines for the same. v. Capability to Implement the Resolution Plan - The Resolution Professional has submitted Form-H under Regulation 39(4) of the CIRP Regulations to certify that the Resolution Plan as approved by the CoC meets all the requirements of the IBC and its Regulations. The Resolution Applicant has submitted an affidavit pursuant to section 30(1) of the Code confirming its eligibility under section 29A of the Code to submit resolution plan. The contents of
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the said affidavit are in order. The relevant parts of the Form H are
reproduced below:
FORM H
1A. The details of the CIRP are as under:
Sr. No.
Particulars
Description
1
Name of the CD
Vishal Structurals Private
Limited
2
Date of Initiation of CIRP
12/03/2025
3
Date of Appointment of IRP
12/03/2025
4
Date of Publication of Public Announcement
13/03/2025
5
Date of Constitution of CoC
04/04/2025
Report taken on record by the
Hon’ble NCLT on 17/06/2025.
6
Date of First Meeting of CoC
11/04/2025
7
Date of Appointment of RP
22/04/2025
The CoC Members confirmed
IRP as RP in First CoC Meeting.
8
Date of Appointment of Registered Valuers
28/04/2025
9
Date of Issue of Invitation for EoI
12/05/2025
The Invitation of EOI was
extended and publication to that
affect done on 27.05.2025
10
Date of Final List of Eligible Prospective
Resolution Applicants
05/07/2025
11
Date of Invitation of Resolution Plan
05/07/2025
12
Last Date of Submission of Resolution Plan
09/08/2025
13
Date of submission of Resolution Plan to the
RP
01/09/2025
14
Date of placing the Resolution Plan before
the CoC
08/01/2025
15
Date of Approval of Resolution Plan by CoC
23/02/2026
16
Date of Filing of Resolution Plan with
Adjudicating Authority
07/03/2026
17
Date of Expiry of 180 days of CIRP
08/09/2025
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…..
3.The details and documents related to the successful resolution applicant are as
under:
Sl. No.
Particulars
Description
1.
Name of Successful Resolution Applicant
(SRA)
Bekem Infra Projects Private
Limited
2.
Nature of Business of SRA
Engineering and
Infrastructure Company
3.
Relationship status of SRA with CD, if any
Subcontractor of the project
of Corporate Debtor
(MRPL)
4.
Whether SRA is eligible to submit plan u/s
240A of IBC in case of MSME CD
NA
5.
Due Diligence Certificate of the RP u/s 29A of
IBC for the SRA (pls attach copy of certificate)
Yes
18
Date of Order extending the period of CIRP
Extension of CIRP by 90 days
beyond 180 days vide order
dated 18/09/2025 in (IA
(I.B.C)/4290(MB)2025)
Extension of CIRP by 60 days
beyond 270 days vide order
dated 12/12/2025 in (IA
(I.B.C)/5724 (MB)2025)
Extension of CIRP by 30 days
beyond 330 days vide order
dated 13/02/2026 in
IA(IBC)/644/MB/2026
19
Date of Expiry of Extended Period of CIRP
After Extension of 90 days
beyond 180 days - 07/12/2025
After Extension of 60 days
beyond 270 days - 05/02/2026
After Extension of 30 days
beyond 330 days - 07/03/2026
20
Fair Value
INR 10,03,13,160
21
Liquidation value
INR 7,78,75,160
22
Number of Meetings of CoC held
8
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4.The details of CIRP, and resolution plan are as under:
Sl. No.
Particulars
Description
1.
Whether Corporate Debtor is an MSME, if so, Date of
obtaining MSME registration (pls attach copy of registration
certificate)
NA
2.
Business of the CD)
Engaged in
Engineering,
Procurement and
Construction
(EPC) business
3.
Total admitted claims (Amount in Rs.)
Sl. No.
Description
Principal
Interest
&
Penalty,
if any
Total
1.
Corporate
Guarantee
Claims
NA
NA
NA
2.
Other than
Corporate
Guarantee
NA
NA
NA
Resolution Plan Value (including insolvency resolution process cost, infusion of funds etc) (In the case of real estate CDs, provide the monetary value of flats etc. given to allottees) Rs. 15,25,00,000/- 5. Voting percentage (%) of CoC in favour of Resolution Plan 100%
5.Details of implementation of resolution plan:
Sl. No.
Particulars
Description
1.
Amount of Performance Guarantee furnished by
SRA (in Rs.) and its validity (attach document)
Rs. 1,04,50,000/- vide DD
no. 44784 dt. 06.03.2026.
2.
Source of funds (in brief)
The sources of funds for the
Resolution Applicant are its
existing surplus cash
balances, and internal
accruals.
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Capital restructuring and management of CD post approval of resolution plan (in brief including shareholding proposed to be transferred in favour of SRA) Capital restructuring: Once the Resolution Plan is approved, the Corporate Debtor will issue 10 lakh equity shares of Rs. 10 each and Vishal Tanks & Pipelines Pvt Ltd will issue 10,000 equity shares of Rs. 10 each – both to the Resolution Applicant or its nominees within 60 days from the Effective Date.
Management of CD:
(i) Reconstitution of new
Board;
(ii) Appointment of key
managerial personnel; and
(iii) RA shall appoint
statutory and internal
auditors of their choice,
subject to applicable
regulations.
(iv) Appointment of
Monitoring Committee
4.
Term and implementation of plan (in brief)
The RA will mobilize the
amounts including the
balances in the bank account
of the Corporate Debtor as
Upfront Payment i.e., 30
days which shall be utilized
towards payment of
workmen, employees,
statutory dues and upfront
payment to the financial
creditors (including any
unsecured financial creditors
other than the related parties,
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if any, of the promoters of
the Corporate Debtor and the
Corporate Debtor itself) in
accordance of the terms of
the Resolution Plan.
5.
Details of monitoring committee (in brief)
In order to ensure that the
Resolution Plan is
implemented in accordance
hereof and that the
obligations undertaken
herein are adhered to in letter
and spirit, monitoring
committee comprising of the
RP, a representative of the
RA and a representative of
the CoC shall be constituted
within 7 days from the
NCLT Approval Date
(‘Monitoring Committee’).
The Monitoring Committee
shall be renamed as
Monitoring Agency post
implementation of the
Resolution Plan as per the
terms hereof.
6.
Effective date of resolution plan
implementation
Within 30 days from the
receipt of Certified Original
Order of NCLT.
6.The list of financial creditors of the CD being members of the CoC and
distribution of voting share among them is as under:
Sr.
No.
Name of Creditor
Voting Share
(%)
Voting for Resolution Plan
(Voted for / Dissented /
Abstained)
1
Bank of India
100 %
Voted For Approval
Total 100.00 %
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7A. Realisable amount:
Sl. No.
Particulars
Description
1.
Total Realisable amount under the plan
(In case of real estate CDs, provide the
monetary value of flats etc. given to allottees)
Rs. 11,65,00,000/-
2.
Fair Value
Rs. 10,03,13,160/-
3.
Liquidation Value
Rs. 7,78,75,160/-
4.
Percentage (%) of realisable amount to Fair
Value
116%
5.
Percentage (%) of realisable amount to
Liquidation Value
150%
6.
Percentage (%) of realisable amount to
Principal amount
8%
7.
Percentage (%) of realisable amount to Total
admitted claims
13%
8.
Percentage (%) of realisable amount to Other
than admitted Corporate Guarantee claims
NA
7B. Details of Realisable amount:
(Amount in Rupees)
Sr.
No.
Category of
Stakeholder
Sub-Category
of Stakeholder
Amount Claimed
Amount
Admitted
Realisable
amount
under the
plan
Amount
realizable
in plan to
amount
claimed
(%)
Payment
schedule
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 Secured Financial Creditors (a) Creditors not having a right to vote under sub- section (2) of section 21 NA NA NA NA
(b) Other than (a) above:
(i) who did not vote in favour of the resolution Plan NA NA NA NA
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(ii) who voted
in favour of
the resolution
plan
66,41,76,204.45
63,28,36,598.45
10,25,00,000.00
15.43%
30 days
from
receipt of
original
certified
order
Total[(a) +
(b)]
66,41,76,204.45
63,28,36,598.45
10,25,00,000.00
15.43%
2
Unsecured
Financial
Creditors
(a) Creditors
not having a
right to vote
under sub-
section (2) of
section 21
NA
NA
NA
NA
(b) Other than (a) above:
(i) who did not vote in favour of the resolution Plan NA NA NA NA
(ii) who voted
in favour of
the resolution
plan
NA
NA
NA
NA
Total[(a) + (b)] NA NA NA NA
3
Operational
Creditors
(a) Related
Party of
Corporate
Debtor
NA
NA
NA
NA
(b) Other than (a) above:
(i)Government
16,68,39,579
9,74,61,052
1,00,00,000
5.99%
30 days
from
receipt of
original
certified
order
(ii)Workmen
Nil
Nil
Nil
(iii)Employees 1,31,67,087 Nil 1,00,000 0.75% 30 days from receipt of original certified order
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(iv) Other Operational Creditors 69,19,60,842 16,23,78,303 2,00,000 0.01% 30 days from receipt of original certified order Total[(a) + (b)] 87,19,67,508 25,98,39,355 1,03,00,000.00 1.1%
4 Other debts and dues
Nil
Nil 1,00,000 Nil
Total
1,53,61,43,712.45 89,26,75,953.45 11,28,00,000.00 7.34% 30 days from receipt of original certified order
Findings and Analysis:
18. On perusal of the Resolution Plan, we find that the Resolution Plan
provides for the following:
a) Payment of CIRP Cost as specified u/s 30(2)(a) of the Code.
b) Repayment of Debts of Operational Creditors as specified u/s
30(2)(b) of the Code.
c) For management of the affairs of the Corporate Debtor, after
the approval of Resolution Plan, as specified u/s 30(2)(c) of
the Code.
d) The implementation and supervision of Resolution Plan by
the RP and the CoC as specified u/s 30(2)(d) of the Code.
19. The RP has complied with the requirement of the Code in terms of
Section 30(2)(a) to 30(2)(f) and Regulations 38(1), 38(1)(a), 38(2)(a),
38(2)(b), 38(2)(c) & 38(3) of the CIRP Regulations.
20. The RP has filed Compliance Certificate in Form-H along with the
Resolution Plan. On perusal, the same is found to be in order. The
Resolution Plan has been approved by the CoC by majority of 100%.
21. With respect to the objections raised by the EPFO in its objection
filed in this IA, it is an admitted position that the claims pertaining to
the period from April 2023 onwards have been computed solely on a
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pro-rata basis, in the absence of employee-wise data. Further, the Applicant submits that no independent adjudicatory order appears to have been passed by the competent authority under Section 14B and/or Section 7Q of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 determining the liability towards penal damages and interest. Also, the Applicant has not been afforded any opportunity to contest or challenge the determination of said liability on pro-rata basis. Accordingly, the claims of the Intervenor, insofar as they are based on unadjudicated and provisional computations, are not legally sustainable and are incapable of verification under the CIRP framework. 22. This tribunal in its order dated 13.08.2025 in Hari Parkash Kaushik v/s Tranzlease Holdings (India) Private Limited passed in IA (I.B.C)/3126(MB)2025 in C.P. (IB)/1169(MB)2022, subsequently upheld by the NCLAT vide its order dated 11.03.2026 passed in Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 1630 of 2025, noted the following: “12. During the course of hearing, the Applicant was asked to submit proof of its claim in form of order(s) issued by the PF Department raising the demand against the Corporate Debtor. It is relevant to refer to Section 7A(1) of the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, which provides that “The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Deputy Provident Fund Commissioner, any Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, or any Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner may, by order,— (a)in a case where a dispute arises regarding the applicability of this Act to an establishment, decide such dispute; and(b)determine the amount due from any employer under any provision of this Act, the Scheme or the Pension.
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Scheme or the Insurance Scheme, as the case may be, and for any of the aforesaid purposes may conduct such inquiry as he may deem necessary”. Though, the officer conducting an inquiry is vested powers u/s 7A(3) of the PF Act to determine the amount payable on the basis of the evidence adduced during such inquiry and other documents available on record, but such determination can be made only by The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Deputy Provident Fund Commissioner, any Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, or any Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner and not by the PF enforcement officer, who has only power to carry out inspection for and on behalf of The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Deputy Provident Fund Commissioner, any Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, or any Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner. Annexure A to the letter dated 27.3.2025 clearly refers to the document as basis of the demand as “Area Enforcement Officer report dated 10/03/2025”. Since, no order has been produced before us or the Respondent IRP, no demand can be said to be due and payable by the Corporate Debtor u/s 7A of the PF Act in its absence. Section 7Q of the PF Act provides for levy of interest on the amounts determined due and payable and Section 14B provides for payment of damages upon commission of default in the payment of any contribution to the Fund, the Pension Fund or the Insurance Fund. Since, no order has been passed in terms of Section 7A, the question of consequential levy in terms of Section 7Q and 14B does
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not arise. Accordingly, even if it is considered that the letter
dated 27.3.2025 provides the necessary information as is
required for verification of their claim, we are of considered
view that no amount can be said to be due and payable by
the Corporate Debtor in the absence of an order passed in
terms of Section 7A, 7Q and 14B of the PF Act by the
competent authority.
13.In view of the foregoing, we do not find any error
committed by IRP, hence the present application is devoid of
any merit. Nonetheless, we consider it appropriate to grant
15 days’ time to applicant to file its claim in the prescribed
form and furnish the relevant order(s) passed by its
department creating the demand against the Corporate
Debtor forming part of the claim made by it. It is clarified
that, in case the Applicant does so, the Respondent IRP shall
verify the claim on its merits dehors our observation in
relation to order(s) u/s 7A, 7Q and 14B of PF Act. It is
further clarified that we have not examined the issue whether
the Applicant could have passed any order u/s 7A, 7Q and
14B of PF Act after commencement of CIRP, as there is no
such order before us. Needless to say, the claim of the
Applicant shall not be rejected on ground of said claim
having been furnished under incorrect prescribed Form, so
long as such claim is furnished on any of the prescribed
form.”
23. Accordingly, only liability determined through due process under
Section 7A/14B prior to the Insolvency Commencement Date can be
admitted in CIRP. Any provisional, ad-hoc or post facto computation
cannot automatically qualify as an admitted claim and is therefore
liable to be rejected.
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- Further, the SRA has proposed in the resolution plan that various subsidiaries including foreign subsidiaries of the Corporate Debtor are wholly owned by the Corporate Debtor and thus the Resolution Applicant has proposed the payment of the amounts contemplated under the Resolution Plan to the Financial Creditors towards a part of the financial debt of the Corporate Debtor and the Financial Creditors shall irrevocably forbear from proceeding against the Corporate Debtor, all of the subsidiaries of Corporate Debtor, and the Resolution Applicant for the unpaid debt owed by the Corporate Debtor. Other than the proposed payment in the Resolution Plan, no other payment shall arise or exist to be met by the Corporate Debtor, any of its Subsidiaries, or the Resolution Applicant to any financial creditor or operational creditor or any other party whatsoever related to period prior to the Effective Date for any purpose. However, it is clarified that any obligation arising from the security interest extended by the subsidiaries in relation to its assets or by way of guarantee to the debt owed by the corporate debtor shall not extinguish unless agreed and consented to by the concerned financial creditor.
- In Para 8 of the Resolution Plan, the SRA has sought the waivers/
reliefs/concessions. The stated effect of the Resolution Plan and
reliefs & concessions as prayed for shall be available in accordance
with the principle laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of
Ghanshyam Mishra and Sons Private Limited v/s. Edelweiss Asset
Reconstruction Company Limited {(2021) 13 S.C.R 737} &
Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Abhilash Lal and
Ors. (2019) ibclaw.in 480 NCLAT. Further, it is clarified and ordered
that -
a. Any increase in the authorized capital shall be subject to payment of prescribed fee, if any applicable, and filing of
MUMBAI BENCH- I
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prescribed forms with the Registrar of Companies.
b. The Income Tax Department shall be at liberty to examine the
tax implications arising from the proposals contained in the plan,
in terms of Section 2(24), Section 28 and Section 56 of the
Income Tax Act, 1961 read with GAAR provisions thereunder.
c. The Applicant shall file necessary forms and pay prescribed
fees, if any, in terms of provisions of the Companies Act, 2013
in relation to reduction in capital and issuance of fresh capital,
however, the Registrar of Companies shall waive the additional
fees, if any, payable on such filing.
d. The
SRA
may
approach
prescribed
authorities
for
waiver/reduction in fees, charges, stamp duty, and registration
fees, if any arising from actions contemplated under the
Resolution Plan and such request shall be subject to the relevant
law/statute and adherence to the procedure prescribed
thereunder.
e. The SRA may file appropriate application, if required, for
renewal of all Business Permits, rights, entitlements, benefits,
subsidies and privileges whether under applicable Law, contract,
lease or license granted in favour of the Corporate Applicant or
to which the Corporate Applicant is entitled to or accustomed to,
which have expired on the Effective Date, and follow the dues
procedure prescribed for the purpose upon payment of
prescribed fees. The contract with third parties shall be subject
to consent of such parties. It is clarified that continuance of
approvals shall not be refused on account of extinguishment of
any dues under Code and extension or renewal thereof shall not
be denied on account of past insolvency of the Corporate
Applicant. No action shall lie against the Corporate Applicant
for any non-compliances arising prior to the date of approval of
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Resolution Plan, however, such non-compliances shall be cured,
if necessitated to keep the approval in force, after acquisition by
the Corporate Applicant within period stipulated in the
Resolution Plan.
f. The secured and unsecured Financial Creditors shall upgrade the
Account of the Corporate Debtor with Banks/Financial
Institutions under the CIBIL Mechanism to “Standard Category”
from NPA on the Completion Date, to the extent CIBIL
Mechanism system allows. The Financial Creditors shall release
all the charges on all assets of the Corporate Debtor (wherever
registered) after the receipt of entire resolution amount.
g. No orders levying any tax, demand of interest/fine or penalty
from the Corporate Applicant in relation to period up to approval
of the Resolution Plan shall be passed by any authority and such
demand, if created, shall not be enforceable as having
extinguished in terms of approved Resolution Plan.
h. The carry forward of losses and unabsorbed depreciation shall
be available in accordance with the provisions of Income Tax
Act, and the Income Tax Department shall be at liberty to
examine the same.
i. An application for compounding/condoning shall be filed in
accordance with the procedure specified in respective law or
concerned authority, however, no fine or penalty shall be
imposed for non-compliances till the date of approval of this
Plan or such further period as is permitted in terms of this Order.
j. ROC shall update the records and reflect the Corporate
Applicant as ‘Active’ upon filing of pending returns/forms after
payment of normal fees (not additional fee). In case such filing
is not permitted by the e-filing portal, the ROC shall accept such
forms/returns in physical format and manage to upload the same
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by back-end. The Corporate Applicant shall be exempted from
using the words “and reduced”.
k. The Compliances under the applicable law for all the statutory
appointments by the Corporate Applicant shall be completed
within 12 months, where after, the necessary consequence under
respective law may follow.
l. The Resolution Applicant, the Corporate Debtor and the assets
of the Corporate Debtor forming part of Resolution plan shall
have immunity, privileges and protection as is available in the
form and manner stated in Section 32A of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
m. The relief, concession or waiver contemplated in the approved
Resolution Plan under any of its section shall be available to the
Corporate Debtor only and such relief, concession or waiver
shall not extend to its subsidiaries, joint-ventures or
associates/affiliates, who have not been subjected to resolution
in the present CIRP process of Corporate Debtor. However, it is
clarified that no claim or action shall lie against the Corporate
Debtor in relation to any financial or any kind of obligation of
subsidiaries, joint-ventures or associates/affiliates, whether past
or arising in future.
n. It is clarified that any relief, concession or waiver, not
specifically dealt with in Paras (a) to (m) above, or not
permissible in terms of decision in case of Ghanshyam Mishra
(supra) and Abhilash Lal (Supra) or specific provisions of the
Code read with the Regulations, shall be deemed to be denied or
rejected.
26. In K Sashidhar v. Indian Overseas Bank & Others (in Civil Appeal
No.10673/2018 decided on 05.02.2019) the Hon’ble Apex Court held
that if the CoC had approved the Resolution Plan by requisite percent
MUMBAI BENCH- I
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of voting share, then as per Section 30(6) of the Code, it is imperative
for the Resolution Professional to submit the same to the
Adjudicating Authority (NCLT). On receipt of such a proposal, the
Adjudicating Authority is required to satisfy itself that the Resolution
Plan as approved by CoC meets the requirements specified in Section
30(2) of the Code. The Hon’ble Apex Court further observed that the
role of the NCLT is ‘no more and no less’. The Hon’ble Apex Court
further held that the discretion of the Adjudicating Authority is
circumscribed by Section 31 of the Code and is limited to scrutiny of
the Resolution Plan “as approved” by the requisite percent of voting
share of financial creditors. Even in that enquiry, the grounds on
which the Adjudicating Authority can reject the Resolution Plan is in
reference to matters specified in Section 30(2) of the Code when the
Resolution Plan does not conform to the stated requirements.
27. In view of the discussions and the law thus settled, the instant
Resolution Plan meets the requirements of Section 30(2) of the Code
and Regulations 37, 38 and 38 (1A) of the CIRP Regulations. The
Resolution Plan is not in contravention of any of the provisions of
Section 29A of the Code and is in accordance with law. The same
deserves to be approved. Hence, ordered.
Order: 28. The Resolution Plan is hereby approved. It shall become effective from this date and shall form part of this order with the following directions: i. It shall be binding on the Corporate Applicant, its employees, members, creditors, including the Central Government, any State Government or any local authority to whom a debt in respect of the payment of dues arising under any law for the
MUMBAI BENCH- I
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time being in force is due, guarantors and other stakeholders
involved in the Resolution Plan.
ii. The approval of the Resolution Plan shall not be construed as
waiver of any statutory obligations/liabilities of the Corporate
Applicant and shall be dealt by the appropriate Authorities in
accordance with law. Any waiver sought in the Resolution Plan,
shall be subject to approval by the Authorities concerned in light
of the Judgment of Supreme Court in Ghanshyam Mishra and
Sons Private Limited v/s. Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction
Company Limited, the relevant paragraphs of which are
extracted herein below:
“95. (i) Once a resolution plan is duly approved by the
adjudicating authority under sub-section (1) of Section 31,
the claims as provided in the resolution plan shall stand
frozen and will be binding on the corporate debtor and its
employees, members, creditors, including the Central
Government, any State Government or any local authority,
guarantors and other stakeholders. On the date of approval
of resolution plan by the adjudicating authority, all such
claims, which are not a part of the resolution plan shall
stand extinguished and no person will be entitled to initiate
or continue any proceedings in respect to a claim, which is
not part of the resolution plan;
(ii) 2019 Amendment to Section 31 of the I&B Code is
clarificatory and declaratory in nature and therefore will be
effective from the date on which the Code has come into
effect;
(iii) consequently, all the dues including the statutory dues
owed to the Central Government, any State Government or
any local authority, if not part of the resolution plan, shall
MUMBAI BENCH- I
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stand extinguished and no proceedings in respect of such
dues for the period prior to the date on which the
adjudicating authority grants its approval under Section 31
could be continued.”
iii. The Memorandum of Association (“MoA”) and Articles of
Association (“AoA”) shall accordingly be amended and filed
with the Registrar of Companies (“RoC”), Mumbai,
Maharashtra for information and record.
iv. The
Successful
Resolution
Applicant,
for
effective
implementation of the Resolution Plan, shall obtain all
necessary approvals, under any law for the time being in force,
within such period as may be prescribed. It is clarified that the
authorities shall not withhold the approval/consent/extension
for the reason of insolvency of the Corporate Applicant or
extinguishment of their dues upto approval of Resolution plan
in terms of the approved plan. Any relief or concession as
sought on the plan shall be subject to the provisions of the
relevant Act.
v. The moratorium under Section 14 of the Code shall cease to
have effect from this date.
vi. The Applicant shall supervise the implementation of the
Resolution Plan and file status of its implementation before this
Authority from time to time, preferably every quarter.
vii. The Applicant shall forward all records relating to the conduct
of the CIRP and the Resolution Plan to the IBBI along with copy
of this Order for information.
MUMBAI BENCH- I
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viii. The Applicant shall forthwith send a certified copy of this Order to the CoC and the Resolution Applicant, respectively for necessary compliance.
Sd/-
Sd/-
Prabhat Kumar
Sushil Mahadeorao Kochey
Member (Technical)
Member (Judicial)
/AJ/
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