Tax Management India. Com
Law and Practice  :  Digital eBook
Research is most exciting & rewarding


  TMI - Tax Management India. Com
Follow us:
  Facebook   Twitter   Linkedin   Telegram

TMI Blog

Home

2023 (9) TMI 191

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... n made by Shri Krishnan Venugopal on behalf of the JAL that reconciliation required adjustment of claims of both JAL and JIL, cannot be accepted - the purpose was to refund Rs.750 Crores to JAL and from the said amount, the amount payable to JIL was to be retained. The Hon ble Supreme Court has further confined the determination to only the accounts concerning the amounts advanced to JAL by JIL towards construction contracts . It is true that extent of liabilities discharged by JAL towards the above was also to be taken care of, for which purpose reconciliation was directed. Thus, the limited scope was with regard to advance given by JIL to JAL towards the construction contract. How much liabilities have been discharged by JAL was possible by reconciliation of the financial statements of both JIL and JAL which was done by Grant Thornton appointed by the Adjudicating Authority. Ambit and scope of reconciliation of account between JAL and JIL was concerning the amounts advanced to JAL by JIL towards construction contracts and extent of liabilities discharged by JAL. The reconciliation was not to find out what amount was payable to JAL by JIL. Whether the claim of Rs.212 Cro .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... AT:- The amount payable to JAL was not to be taken into consideration and amount payable to JIL was only to be taken into consideration. As per mutual resolution, Rs.6.13 crores was receivable by JIL. The said amount has rightly been included in the amount payable to JIL in Para 110 of the order of Adjudicating Authority. We do not find any merit in the submission of Appellant and no error is committed by the Adjudicating Authority in adding amount of Rs.6.13 crores in the amount receivable by JIL - Adjudicating Authority on account of mutually settled amount totalling to Rs.12.26 Crores has not committed any error in adding amount of Rs.6.13 Crores in the amount receivable by JIL. Whether direction of the Adjudicating Authority in paragraph 111 directing for payment to JIL/Home-Buyers of JIL of Rs.649.52 Crores with proportionate interest is unsustainable? - HELD THAT:- It is not the case of the JIL that mobilization advance was given by JIL to JAL which carried any interest nor it is submission of JIL that Interest Free Maintenance Deposit carries interest. When the amount which was receivable by JIL as found by Adjudicating Authority did not carry any interest, direction by .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ppropriation of amount of Rs. 750 Crores as per the Judgment of the Hon ble Supreme Court dated 24th March, 2021 in the matter of Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Association Ors. Versus NBCC (India) Ltd. Ors. Civil Appeal No. 3395/2020 (hereinafter referred to as Jaypee Kensington ). 3. Company Appeal (AT) Ins. No. 302 of 2023 has been filed by the Jaiprakash Associates Limited (hereinafter referred to as JAL ) being aggrieved by the directions given by the Adjudicating Authority in Paragraph 109-111 of the Impugned Order. In C.A.(AT) Ins. No. 302 of 2023, Appellant prays for following reliefs: a) Allow the present Appeal and set aside Para nos. 109 to 111 of the Impugned Order dated 07.03.2023 passed by the Hon ble National Company Law Tribunal, Allahabad Bench in IA No. 2593/PB/2021 in CP No. (IB) 77/ALD/2017 being contrary to the directions of the Hon ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated 24.03.2021 passed in Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Association Ors. v. NBCC (India) Ltd. Ors., Civil Appeal No. 3395/2020; b) Modify the Impugned Order by reconciling the accounts between the parties after deducting the amounts of claim .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... in Form-B as Operational Creditor for a claim amount of Rs. 261.73 Crores including its Pre-CIRP dues before the IRP. 6. We also need to notice few facts and events before initiation of CIRP which are as follows:- i. On 28th February, 2006, bids were called by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for development of Taj Expressway Project which, inter alia, included construction of 6 Lane, 160 KMs Long Super Expressway connecting NOIDA and Agra. JAL was declared as the highest bidder. On 05th April, 2017, JAL incorporated JIL as a Special Purpose Vehicle to undertake the Yamuna Expressway Project. On 19.10.2007, JAL transferred all its rights and obligations under the concession agreement to JIL. In pursuance of concession agreement, JIL appointed JAL as its construction contractor. On 29.12.2012, JIL entered into a facility agreement with the consortium of Lenders led by IDBI Bank limited for refinancing the outstanding existing facility of Rs.6,600 Crores which was availed earlier for financing the Yamuna Expressway Project. Pursuant to the terms of the Facility Agreement, a Promoter Support Agreement was entered into on 29.09.2015 between JAL, JIL and IDBI Bank Limited. At the r .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... tions of the JIL. iv. In the Insolvency Resolution Process of the JIL, a Resolution Plan submitted by the NBCC (I) Limited was approved by the Adjudicating Authority dated 03.03.2020. Against the Order passed by the Adjudicating Authority, appeals were filed before the Appellate Tribunal, several Appeals were filed in the Supreme Court as well as Transfer Application, matters pending before the Appellate Tribunal pertaining challenge to the Order dated 03.03.2020 was transferred to the Supreme Court and Hon ble Supreme Court by a detail judgment dated 24th March, 2021 decided the Civil Appeal No. 3395 of 2020 with other Civil Appeals titled as Jaypee Kensington Boulevard Apartments Welfare Association and Ors. Vs. NBCC (India) India Limited and Ors. v. In the Resolution Plan of the NBCC, amount of Rs. 750 crores which was deposited by the JAL in pursuance of the direction of the Hon ble Supreme Court in Chitra Sharma was also dealt with which was also under challenge. Hon ble Supreme Court framed a Point J (Rs.750 Crores and accounting between JAL and JIL) apart from various other points framed, with regard to Rs. 750 Crores dealt under point J . Paragraph 176 to paragra .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... is receivable by JIL/Home-buyers of JIL from the JAL. The Adjudicating Authority noted the issue in paragraph 13 of the Order which is to the following effect: 13. Thus, the issues, which emerge from the GT report and post-joint meeting of the parties held on 24.12.2021 for adjudication before this Adjudicating Authority are the following; Issues emerging from GT Report a) Whether in view of the provision of IBC 2016, can JAL claim an adjustment of Rs. 49.63 Crore (advanced against construction extended by JIL) on the basis of RA Bills pertaining to the period prior to the insolvency commencement date of JIL. b) Whether JAL is entitled to a claim arising out of the Bank Guarantees amounting to Rs. 212 Crore issued on behalf of JIL and subsequently, invoked by the lenders of JIL. c) Whether an advance of Rs. 106.90 Crore recovered from homebuyers towards IFMD is recoverable by JIL from JAL. d) Whether JAL can claim adjustment of Rs. 2.33 crore towards the facility management bills, from JIL. e) Whether JAL can claim/recover, s. 1.19 Crore towards providing hospitality services, from JIL. ix. The Adjudicating Authority after considering the .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... row account for maintenance till it is transferred to the RWA of Home Buyers of JIL) 106.90 Total 649.52 111. We have noted above that the Hon ble Supreme Court has specifically directed that only the remainder of Rs. 750 Crores (i.e., after excluding the amount receivable by JIL/Homebuyers of JIL) along with the proportionate amount of interest (on the remainder) shall be returned to JAL. Accordingly, we direct the Registrar NCLT through Registry of NCLT, Allahabad that out of the total amount of Rs. 750 Crores and accrued interest thereon, an amount of Rs. 649.52 Crores along with proportionate interest shall be paid to the JIL/Home buyers of JIL and the remaining amount of Rs. 100.48 Crores (i.e. , Rs. 750 Crores less Rs. 649. 52 Crores) along with proportionate interest shall be retunred to JAL, on receipt of such request from the parties. The IA-2593/PB/2021 is disposed of accordingly. x. In paragraph 110, the Adjudicating Authority found that undisputed amount from the GT report being Rs. 536.49 Crores and amount mutually resolved being Rs. 6.13 Crores are to be added in the .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... 190.2 that the liability discharged by the JAL must be set off for the advance made by the JIL to JAL. Although all issues were noticed in paragraph 13 and findings were returned in favor of JAL in paragraph 40, 60, 62 and 77 but those findings were not given effect to in the operating paragraph 109 to 111. The Operative Judgment of the Adjudicating Authority is not clearly in accord with the findings which were returned in favor of JAL. 9. Mr. Krishnan Venugopal however in his submission has not questioned the amount of Rs. 106.90 Crores which was on account of Interest Free Maintenance Deposit which was directed to be paid by the Adjudicating Authority towards IFMD. Shri K. Venugopal submits that the IBC also recognizes the principle of mutuality and set off between the Corporate Debtor and its Creditors. With regard to the claim of Rs. 212 Crores paid by JAL through encashment of its Bank Guarantees was claimed to be an amount which was furnished to ensure the completion of JIL Projects. It is submitted that even the GT has treated the amount of Rs. 212 Crores as debt and not by infusion as equity by JAL to JIL. JIL in the financial year subsequent to 2016-17 has acknowledged .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... Kensington clearly contemplated computation of the amount which was payable to JIL/Home Buyers of JIL which was to be deducted from amount of Rs. 750 Crores. The findings of the Adjudicating Authority in Paragraph 109-111 of the Impugned Order are in accordance with the direction of the Hon ble Supreme Court in Jaypee Kensington Case. The Order for reconciliation of accounts between JAL and JIL was passed by the Hon ble Supreme Court only for crystalizing the amount payable by JAL to JIL. Hon ble Supreme Court has not directed any amount be paid by JIL to JAL following the reconciliation as debt, if any, owed by JIL to JAL can only be paid as part of the outcome of JIL s CIRP proceedings. JAL has submitted its claim to IRP as Operational Creditor in Form B. The submission of JAL on mutuality and set off have no merit. Set off is not permissible in CIRP Proceeding which is allowed only in the Liquidation Proceeding. For any claim of JAL against JIL, distribution can be claimed as per waterfall mechanism under Section 53 of the Code. The claim of JAL if any cannot be reconciled, any amount which is receivable by JIL from JAL out of Rs. 750 Crores. Hon ble Supreme Court has confin .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... y Management and Rs. 1.19 Crores pertaining to hospitality services or Pre-CIRP dues of JAL which amounts are claimed by JAL as Operational Debt in Form B dated 24th August, 2017 and 24th August, 2018. The claim of JAL was not admitted by the IRP of JIL which was never challenged by filing appropriate application, the Adjudicating Authority erred in entertaining the Pre-CIRP dues of JAL in reconciliation exercise. Hon ble Supreme Court in Jaypee Kensington has also held that in paragraph 191.1 that process of reconciliation is not to determine the claims of Operational Creditor or Financial Creditor. The submission of the Appellant that order passed by the Hon ble Supreme Court in Jaypee Kensington was passed in exercise of equity powers and constraints of IBC are not applicable, cannot be accepted. The Judgment clearly mentions that equity was exercised by the Hon ble Supreme Court in favor of JIL and Home-Buyers on the offer of JAL to refund the advance from Rs. 750 Crores. Mr. Batra further submits that the Adjudicating Authority erred in holding that Rs. 70.89 Crores claimed by JIL from JAL is not related to construction. The Adjudicating Authority exceeded in jurisdiction .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ction 14 and 53, waterfall mechanism to recover Pre-CIRP dues from JIL s entitlement. Claim of Rs. 212 Crores is a Pre-CIRP Claim and has to be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the IBC. JAL has already filed a claim in Form B dated 24th August, 2017 which includes Rs. 212 Crores. JAL admittedly is operational creditor for recovery of its dues from JIL, other CIRP Process has to be utilized. Accepting Pre-CIRP claim of Operational Creditor will be preferential in nature and shall be against the observation of the Hon ble Supreme Court in the Judgment of Chitra Sharma and Jaypee Kensington . Shri Sen further submits that JIL is entitled for the amount of Rs. 70.89 Crores which the Adjudicating Authority wrongly rejected. Shri Seen submits that the Adjudicating Authority has rightly found JIL and home-buyers of the JIL entitled for the proportionate interest for the amount payable to them out of Rs. 750 Crores. 14. We have considered the submissions of Learned Counsel for the parties and have perused the record. 15. As noted above, JAL is aggrieved against the certain portion of the Judgment of the Adjudicating Authority whereas JIL is also aggrieved against th .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... of the Adjudicating Authority in paragraph 111 directing for payment to JIL/Home-Buyers of JIL of Rs.649.52 Crores with proportionate interest is unsustainable? (viii). Whether JIL is entitled for amount of Rs.70.89 Crores towards Land Swap Deal and the Adjudicating Authority has wrongly rejected the said claim? (ix). The Relief, if any, to which the Appellants in C.A.(AT) Ins. No. 302 of 2023 and C.A.(AT) Ins. No. 507 of 2023 may be entitled? POINT NO. (i) 18. We need to look into Judgment of Hon ble Supreme Court dated 24th March, 2021 in Jaypee Kensington to find out true import of directions of the Hon ble Supreme Court. As noted above, Hon ble Supreme Court has framed Point J, Rs. 750 Crores and accounting between JAL and JIL, discussed from Para 176 to 192 of the Judgment. In paragraph 176 of the Judgment, Hon ble Supreme Court has noticed the submission made on behalf of JAL in following words: In fact, it has been the submission on behalf of JAL that either the entire amount of INR 750 Crores with accrued interest be returned to it or in the alternative, after reconciliation of accounts, its liability towards JIL be adjusted from this corpus and bala .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... s likely to be reduced by approx. Rs.165 Crores within a period of 12 months as per the work plan drawn by the RBSA (Advisors to the CIRP) [@Pg.143 of JAL s Additional Affidavit]. 28. Therefore, JAL is conscious of the fact that liability towards JIL now stands to Rs.195 Crores (as on 31.03.2020 and is reducing per the construction work). Since JAL is not in a position to make this payment independently unless the Rs.750 Crores is refunded back to it, hence, in all fairness and bonafide, JAL offers that this admitted and undisputed liability towards JIL can be discharged by appropriating the said liability from the Rs.750 Crores and the balance may be directed to be refunded. This amount may be verified by the RP or by a chartered accountant appointed by him. 29. However, it is pertinent to mention herein that NBCC s Resolution Plan treats the contracts for construction (between JIL and JAL) in the following manner [@Pg.47of JAL s Additional Affidavit dated 12.05.2020]: (vi) Resolution Applicant shall have a right to terminate the current construction contracts with Jaiprakash Associates Limited, ( JAL ), which are on cost plus basis and enter into fresh construction con .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ly taken note of the complex and interwoven features, even while we are not inclined to countenance the other claims against JAL in these proceedings, so far as the admitted amount towards construction advance is concerned, in our view, the process had been a continuing one and admittedly an amount of INR 195 crores was due to JIL as on 31.03.2020. In the given circumstances, it would serve the interests of all stakeholders, if the proposition for reconciliation of accounts, as stated in the alternative submissions by JAL as also by the resolution applicant, be partly accepted and after reconciliation, the payable amount be made over to JIL before refunding the remainder to JAL. 22. Paragraph 190.1 and 190.2 on which repeated reliance has been placed by Learned Counsel for the parties is to the following effect: 190.1. After receiving the report from the accounting expert, the NCLT shall pass appropriate orders in the manner that, if any amount is found receivable by JIL/homebuyers of JIL, the same shall be made over to JIL from out of the said amount of INR 750 crores and accrued interest; and remainder thereof shall be returned to JAL in an appropriate account and that .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ture of Operational Debt could have been claimed only in the Insolvency Resolution Process and Hon ble Supreme Court never contemplated determination of any claim of the JAL against the JIL in pursuance of the above direction. 27. Mr. K. Venugopal, Learned Sr. Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the Adjudicating Authority failed to construe the true meaning of Reconciliation . Learned Counsel for the Appellant has relied on definition of Reconciliation as per Black s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition: Reconciliation. The renewal of amicable relations between two persons who had been at enmity or variance; usually implying forgiveness of injuries on one or both sides. In law of domestic relations, a voluntary resumption of marital relations in the fullest sense. Keller v. Keller, 122 Cal. App. 712, 10 P. 2d 541. It means something more than mere resumption of cohabitation and observance of civility, and comprehends a fresh start and genuine effort by both parties to avoid pitfalls originally causing separation. Gutmann v. Gutmann, 70 N.J. Super. 266 175 A.2d 470, 474. In bookkeeping, it is the practice of adjusting the bank statement with the depositor s books. Also, a s .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ned in paragraphs 189 to 191.1 of this judgment. The amount, if found receivable by JIL, be made over to JIL and the remaining amount together with accrued interest be refunded to JAL in an appropriate account. It is made clear that the present matter being related to CIRP of JIL, no other orders are passed in relation to the amount that would be refunded to JAL because treatment of the said amount in the asset pool of JAL shall remain subject to such orders as may be passed by the competent authority dealing with the affairs of JAL. 30. From the final directions, as above, it is clear that the question was as to whether any amount was receivable by JIL and its Homebuyers from JAL against advance towards construction, thus, the reconciliation was only for the purpose as to what amount is receivable from JAL to JIL and such amount to be returned and handed over before refunding Rs.750 Crores with interest. The order of the Hon ble Supreme Court did not contemplate determination of amount to which JAL may be entitled from JIL. Hon ble Supreme Court was well aware that the proceedings have emanated from CIRP of JIL and the Hon ble Supreme Court in exercise of its power under Arti .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... k Guarantees amounting to Rs.212 Crore issued on behalf of JIL and subsequently, invoked by lenders of JIL. . The Adjudicating Authority from Para 42 to Para 60 has examined the said issue and returned a finding that JAL is entitled to retain Rs.212 Crores out of Rs.750 Crores, which findings are questioned by learned counsel appearing for the JIL. It is to be noted that even after the above finding in favour of the JAL in the ultimate order passed by the Adjudicating Authority in Para 109 to Para 111, the said amount was not retained in favour of JAL out of Rs.750 Crores. For considering the rival submissions of the parties, we may first notice the Grant Thornton Report that is quoted in Para 46 of the order. The Adjudicating Authority has quoted the Grant Thornton Report with regard to Bank Guarantees of Rs.212 Crores. The Grant Thornton s Report with regard to Rs.212 Crores is as follows: # Nature of transaction Key issues Comments from IRP of JIL JAL s comments Our assessment B BGs issued on behalf of JAL and subsequently invoked by .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... DICATIVE RESTRUCTURING SCHEME OF JIL, WHICH WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE LENDERS OF JIL, WHICH IDBI AS LEAD BANK. SINCE THE SCHEME IS NOT YET APPROVED, THE SAID AMOUNT IS RECOVERABLE BY JAL. 2. THE ABOVE AMOUNT OF CLAIMS DOES NOT INCLUDE AMOUNT OF INTEREST THEREON. 34. The above claim filed by JAL in Form B clearly included he Bank Guarantee aggregating to Rs.212 crores which was invoked by the beneficiaries in the year 2016. It is also relevant to notice that the Hon ble Supreme Court in Anuj Jain, Interim Resolution Professional for Jaypee Infratech Ltd. vs. Axis Bank Ltd. Ors., (2020) 8 SCC 401 , considered challenge to the order of the Adjudicating Authority deciding preferential applications filed by the IRP. In Para 25.3.2, it was noticed that, the Bank Guarantees of Rs.212 Crore was executed by JAL to meet the DSRA obligation. Para 25.3.2 in Anuj Jain, Interim Resolution Professional for Jaypee Infratech Ltd. vs. Axis Bank Ltd. Ors. lays down following: 25.3.2. Now, the capacity of JAL is admittedly that of the holding company of JIL as its largest equity shareholder (with approximately 71.64% shareholding). Moreover, JAL had a .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... process. It is relevant to notice that the Grant Thornton in its opinion has opined: However, the Adjudicating Authority may provide direction to release the amount in line with the provisions of the IBC Code and/or relevant statutes. 37. Grant Thornton, the Auditor appointed by the Adjudicating Authority also did not recommend adjustment of Rs.212 crores in reconciliation process. Thus, the amount of Rs.212 crores could not have been made part of the reconciliation process and has nothing to do with amount of Rs.750 crores nor the said amount can be deducted from the amount payable to JIL as determined by the Adjudicating Authority. Point No. (ii) is answered accordingly in following manner: Point No. (ii): The claim of Rs.212 crores relating to Bank Guarantees issued by JAL invoked by the lenders of JIL need not to be adjusted/deducted from the amount payable to JIL. POINT NO. (iii), (iv) and (v) 38. The aforesaid points were decided by the Adjudicating Authority as Issue No. (a), (d) and (e). The Adjudicating Authority held that claim of Rs.49.63 crores, Rs.2.33 crores and Rs.1.19 crore, even though they were claim of pre-CIRP, JAL is entitled to retain .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... JAL and JIL shall be 50-50%, the Adjudicating Authority ought not to have added the amount of Rs.6.13 crores in the amount payable to JIL. A meeting dated 24.12.2021 was held between the parties with regard to settlement of aforesaid dues of Rs.12.26 crores. The Adjudicating Authority in Para 12 has noticed as follows: 12. From the perusal of the aforesaid minutes, it is observed that the dispute with regard to the Transactions relating to RA Bills for Construction of Rs. 10.97 Crore Rs. 1.14 Crore and Facility Management Bills raised by JAL on JIL of Rs. 0.15 Crore have been mutually resolved to be shared in the equal ratio between the parties. The minutes of the meeting dated 24.12.2021 is taken on record. The said issues are resolved as per the agreement above and, Ordered accordingly. 41. The amount was mutually resolved to be shared in equal ratio between the parties, thereby mutual resolution was that Rs.6.13 crores was payable to JIL and Rs.6.13 crores was payable to JAL. As noted above, the amount payable to JAL was not to be taken into consideration and amount payable to JIL was only to be taken into consideration. As per mutual resolution, Rs.6.13 crores .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... y nature was interest free. On Interest Free Maintenance Deposit amounting to Rs.106.90 crores received from customers neither there was any direction to pay interest nor payment of interest to the Interest Free Maintenance Deposit can be contemplated. Interest Free Maintenance Deposit collected from the customers does not carry interest. 45. It is not the case of the JIL that mobilization advance was given by JIL to JAL which carried any interest nor it is submission of JIL that Interest Free Maintenance Deposit carries interest. When the amount which was receivable by JIL as found by Adjudicating Authority did not carry any interest, direction by the Adjudicating Authority to pay said amount alongwith proportionate interest was uncalled for. We, thus, are of the view that direction issued by the Adjudicating Authority in Para 111 for payment of proportionate interest is unsustainable. Point No. (vii) is answered accordingly: Point No. (vii): The direction of the Adjudicating Authority for payment to JIL/Home-Buyers of JIL of Rs.649.52 Crores with proportionate interest is unsustainable. POINT NO. (viii) 46. The JIL has claimed that Rs.70.89 crores was towards La .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... L's claim of Rs. 70.89 Crores outside the realm of the reconciliation process and therefore, JIL cannot recover this amount from JAL under the current reconciliation process. The issue of Land Swap Deal is decided accordingly. 48. The amount of Rs.70.89 crore claimed by JIL to be payable from JAL was out of sub-lease deeds executed by JIL, JAL and ICICI Bank for consideration of Rs.643.50 crores to repay the liability of JAL for the financial facility extended by ICICI Bank. JIL by executing 11 sub-lease deeds transferred 84.5 acres of land to ICICI Bank. The Adjudicating Authority in the impugned order has noticed the contents of sub-leases and in Paras 94 and 95 made following observations: 94. From the above, it is observed that the Sub-Lease Deeds dated 27.04.2016 nowhere specify that the term arrangement/agreement is used in the context of construction. Therefore, we are unable to accept this plea that the liability of JAL with respect to construction was required to be adjusted. Hence, except for the sub-lease deed dated 24.06.2016, we find that none of the sub-lease deeds had any relation to construction. 95. JAL has contended that the amount of Rs 70.89 C .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

..... ra 111 for payment of proportionate interest to the JIL on its receivables is unsustainable. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 302 of 2023 thus deserves to be partly allowed setting aside the direction of the Adjudicating Authority in Para 111 to make payment of proportionate interest on the receivables by JIL. Other prayers of the Appellant in Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 302 of 2023 are rejected. 52. Coming to Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 507 of 2023, we have taken the view that finding of issues no. (a), (d) and (e) (as contained in Para 13 of the impugned order) deciding issues in favour of JAL are unsustainable. The JAL was not entitled to adjust/deduct aforesaid amounts from the amount receivable by JIL. We notice that the Adjudicating Authority in operative portion of the order in Paras 109 to 111 has ultimately not deducted or adjusted the aforesaid amounts from the amount receivable by JIL. The direction issued by the Adjudicating Authority in Para 109, 110 and 111 are affirmed except the direction to proportionate interest, as indicated above. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No. 507 of 2023 is thus disposed of holding that findings of Adjudicating Authority on Issues No. ( .....

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

→ Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

 

 

 

 

Quick Updates:Latest Updates