Introduction
Ever since the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC 2016) was enacted, its overriding
effect during the moratorium became the talk of the corporate town. It was yet to be tested
whether the prohibition of any proceedings against the corporate debtor during the
moratorium is a prudent step or not. While the cases started flowing in and came few
judgments, it was established that the objective of the Code was to revive the entity at its
core and not to be seen as another recovery tool. Under the light of such understanding, it
was observed that the moratorium period was very much necessary for the corporate
debtor so as to evaluate the possible option and ways for revival of the stressed entity.
However, this write-up focusses on the recent judgment pronounced by National Company
Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in the matter of Canara Bank vs. Deccan Chronicle Holdings
Limited.
Recent Developments
Canara Bank vs. Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited
FACTS:
In the present case, an application was filed by Canara Bank (hereinafter known as the
‘Appellant’) under Section 7 of the Code against Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited
(hereinafter known as “the Corporate Debtor”), which was admitted by the Hon’ble
Hyderabad bench of National Company Law Tribunal (“NCLT”), declaring Moratorium under
Section 14 of the Code on 19th day of July, 2017. However, the Appellant was not content
with the order of moratorium pronounced as it specifically excluded proceeding before High
Court and Supreme Court from the purview of Moratorium.
Relevant extract of the Moratorium declared by the Hon’ble Bench which is the theme of
the matter of discussion is as follows:
(c) We hereby declared the following Moratorium by prohibiting the following actions: –
1. The institution of suits or continuation of pending suits or proceedings except before
the Hon’ble High Court (s) and Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, against the
Corporate Debtor including execution of any judgement, decree or order in any court
of law, Tribunal, arbitration panel or other authority;
Relevant provisions of the Code:
Section 14 (1) (a)
XXX
14. Moratorium – (1) Subject to provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3), on the insolvency
commencement date, the Adjudicating Authority shall by order declare moratorium
for prohibiting all of the following, namely:
(a) the institution of suits or continuation of pending suits or proceedings against the
corporate debtor including execution of any judgment, decree or order in any court of law,
tribunal, arbitration panel or other authority;
Findings of the Bench
On Section 14 – Section 14(1)(a) does not exclude any Court, including the Hon’ble
High Courts or Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Recovery suits in High Courts and Supreme Court – There is no provision to file any
money suit or suit for recovery before the Hon’ble Supreme Court except
under Article 131 of the Constitution of India where dispute between Government of
India and one or more States or between the Government of India and any State or
States on one side and one or two or more States is filed. Some High Courts have
original jurisdiction to entertain the suits, which may include money suit or suit for
recovery of money.
Certain Powers of High Courts and Supreme Court – The Hon’ble Supreme Court has
power under Article 32 of the Constitution of India and Hon’ble High Court
under Article 226 of Constitution of India which cannot be curtailed by any provision
of an Act or a Court.
Judgment passed by the Hon’ble Bench
In view of the above observations, ‘Moratorium’ will not affect any suit or case pending
before the Hon’ble Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India or where an
order is passed under Article 136 of Constitution of India. ‘Moratorium’ will also not affect
the power of the High Court under Article 226 of Constitution of India.
However, so far as suit, if filed before any High Court under original jurisdiction which is a
money suit or suit for recovery, against the ‘corporate debtor’ such suit cannot proceed
after declaration of ‘moratorium, under Section 14 of the I&B Code.
The Hon’ble Bench of NCLAT disposed of the matter by clarifying the language of
Moratorium (supra) as declared in the above case, without suggesting any changes therein
and neither rejecting nor accepting the appeal filed by the appellant.
Analysis
Moratorium declared is within the constitutional ambit of the Code. The Code is a
Central Act, passed by the parliament by exercising the powers granted under the
Constitution of India.
There are certain powers directly bestowed upon the High Courts and the Supreme
Court of India by the Constitution of India. Such powers with the respective judiciary
bodies are immune of any provision of any law in the Country, be it Central law or
State law.
Article 32 gives power to Supreme Court to issue directions, writs or orders with
respect to right to constitutional remedy.
Article 226 gives power to High Courts to issue writs for enforcement of rights given
under Part III of the Constitution of India.
Article 136 of the Constitution deals with the power to allow a special leave to
appeal to person who files an application under this article.
All the above-mentioned powers are exclusive to the two judiciary bodies and
therefore Moratorium under the Code shall not affect such powers.
However, even if the Moratorium as declared in this case excludes suits or
proceedings with High Courts, the exclusion does not extend to suits or proceedings
with a High Court under original jurisdiction where the suits pertains to recovery of
money and therefore will be affected by the period of Moratorium.
Moratorium is a legal right for the benefit of both the Corporate Debtor and the
Creditor and also the judiciary to put a temporary hold/stay on everything else and
deal with the case in hand, ceteris paribus. The right is however, bestowed by a
Central Act; Few powers that are rested upon top two highest judiciary bodies in the
country by the supreme law, are untouched of any other right under any other law in
the country including the Moratorium period under the Code.
Conclusion
Moratorium is a stay on any action being taken against the Corporate Debtor. On one side,
the judgment clarifies the supreme powers of the Supreme Court and High Courts and on
the other side, adds more clarity to provisions of Section 14 of the Code. Interestingly, the
provisions of Section 14 do not provide any exceptions to Moratorium, as clarified by the
judgment in the given case.
NCLT being a quasi-judicial body, formed under an Act of Parliament, cannot override the
constitutional powers resting with the Apex judiciary.
BY ABHISHEKH BHATI
