Classic Marble Company Pvt. Ltd. vs Truvisory Insolvency Professionals Pvt. Ltd & Ors.

Court
National Company Law Appellate Tribunal
Case type
Company Appeal(AT)(Ins)
Decided on
27-03-2026
<div> <b>NATIONAL COMPANY LAW APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, </b><br /> <b>PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> [Arising out of Order dated 12.01.2026 passed by the Adjudicating Authority <br /> (National Company Law Tribunal), Mumbai Bench-1 in IA (I.B.C) <br /> 1697(MB)2025 in CP(IB) 494/MB/2019] <br /> <br /> <b>In the matter of: </b><br /> <b>Classic Marble Company Pvt. Ltd. </b> <b> ...Appellant </b><br /> <b>Vs. </b><br /> <b>Truvisory Insolvency Professionals Pvt. Ltd. &amp; Anr. </b> <b> ...Respondents </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b>For Appellant: </b> <b>Mr. Abhijeet Sinha, Sr. Advocate with Mr. </b><br /> <b>Abhishek Prasad, Mr. Vedant Sharma, Advocates. </b><br /> <b>For Respondents: </b> <b>Mr. Krishnendu Datta, Sr. Advocate with Mr. </b><br /> <b>Milan Singh Negi, Mr. Ashish Pyasi, Mr. Nikhil </b><br /> <b>Kumar Jha, Ms. Katyayani, Mr. Yash Tandon, Mr. </b><br /> <b>Utkarsh, Advocates. </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b>J U D G M E N T </b><br /> <b>th</b><br /> <b>27</b> <b> March, 2026) </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b>Ashok Bhushan, J. </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b> </b> This Appeal has been filed by the Appellant challenging the order dated <br /> 12.01.2026 passed by the Adjudicating Authority (National Company Law <br /> Tribunal) Mumbai Bench-I in IA (I.B.C) 1697(MB)2025 filed by the Resolution <br /> Professional of the Corporate Debtor- ‘Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd.’ <br /> The Application filed by the Resolution Professional seeking eviction of the <br /> Appellant who was occupying the part of the premise of the Corporate Debtor <br /> has been allowed by the impugned order directing the Appellant to vacate and <br /><br /> 2 <br /> <br /> handover possession within 30 days. Aggrieved by the said order, this Appeal <br /> has been filed. <br /> 2. Brief facts of the case necessary to be noticed for deciding the Appeal <br /> are:- <br /> 2.1. The Corporate Debtor- Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd. is a Real <br /> Estate Company engaged in infrastructure development. The Corporate <br /> Debtor in February/ March 2008 permitted the Appellant, who was supplying <br /> marbles and stones to the Corporate Debtor to set up a sales office at the <br /> premises to avoid transportation delays and minimise logistical costs. <br /> Appellant set up sales office on part of Plot No.9 situated at Shriram Mills <br /> premises. The Appellant was initially supplying the marbles and stones to the <br /> Corporate Debtor and was catering Corporate Debtor exclusively. However, <br /> from December 2008, Appellant was permitted to carry on its business <br /> operation from the premises by catering to other customers. A Winding-Up <br /> Petition No.1066 of 2015 was filed by Action Barter Private Limited against <br /> the Corporate Debtor before the Bombay High Court seeking winding up of <br /> the Corporate Debtor. On 05.10.2016, Bombay High Court passed an order <br /> appointing an Official Liquidator to take charge of the assets/ properties and <br /> records of the Corporate Debtor. Official Liquidator appointed by the Bombay <br /> High Court went to take possession of the premises from the Appellant who <br /> was working adjacent to Gate No.3, Plot No.9 on 04.06.2019. Representative <br /> of the Appellant informed that there is no prior intimation from the Official <br /> Liquidator to vacate the premises, he sought at least 30 days’ time to vacate <br /> the premises. The liquidator on 25.06.2019 issued a letter to the Appellant to <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 3 <br /> <br /> vacate the premises. The date for handing over possession was fixed as <br /> 01.07.2019. Appellant filed a Company Application No.261 of 2019 in <br /> Company Petition No.1066 of 2015 before the Bombay High Court seeking <br /> restraint order from taking possession of the property and permitting <br /> Appellant to hold possession of property as agent of liquidator. No written <br /> order was passed by the Bombay High Court, however, the Advocate of <br /> Appellant sent an e-mail that Court has orally directed from not taking <br /> possession and 03.07.2019 is the date fixed in the application. In the <br /> application, no orders could be passed in favour of the Appellant by the <br /> Bombay High Court, however, Appellant continued to be in occupation of the <br /> premises. On an application under Section 7 filed by Srei Equipment Finance <br /> Ltd., CIRP against the Corporate Debtor commenced on 06.11.2019. The <br /> Respondent No.1 filed a claim before the Resolution Professional claiming <br /> principal amount of Rs.1,34,86,201/- and the interest @ of 18% totalling to <br /> Rs.3,06,51,041/- as outstanding against the Corporate Debtor. The <br /> Resolution Professional by letter dated 10.02.2023 informed the Appellant <br /> that they are in unauthorised and lawful occupation of part of the property. <br /> However, no response was received by the Resolution Professional and the <br /> Resolution Professional again sent an eviction notice dated 20.03.2025 to <br /> Appellant informing that occupation of Appellant is encroachment and <br /> unlawful as the property is owned by the Corporate Debtor, hence, the <br /> Appellant must vacate the premises. Appellant did not vacate the premises <br /> nor sent any response. IA No.1697 of 2025 was filed by the Resolution <br /> Professional seeking a direction in discharge of his duties to protect the <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 4 <br /> <br /> interest of the Corporate Debtor. Resolution Professional sought necessary <br /> co-operation /assistance of police personnel for taking back the peaceful and <br /> vacant possession to the property. In the application filed by the Resolution <br /> professional, reply was filed by the Appellant raising plea that Adjudicating <br /> Authority has no jurisdiction to evict tenant/lessee. There is no valid <br /> authorisation of assignment in favour of the RP and necessary facts have been <br /> supressed by the Resolution Professional. The case of the Appellant was that <br /> it supplied marbles and stones from 2006 to 2013 and principal amount of <br /> Rs.1,34,86,201/- is due. It was pleaded that the Corporate Debtor permitted <br /> the Appellant was allowed to continue to occupy so as to settle the <br /> outstanding dues from the Corporate Debtor. The application filed by the <br /> Resolution Professional was fixed for hearing on 02.12.2025. Appellant filed <br /> a S.C. Suit No.2944 of 2025 on 01.12.2025 before City Civil Court at Bombay <br /> seeking perpetual injunction from interfering with the Appellant’s possession <br /> of the premises. Hearing in application filed by the Resolution Professional <br /> being IA No.1697 of 2025 which was concluded on 02.12.2025 and parties <br /> were asked to file written submissions by 10.12.2025. On 09.12.2025, City <br /> Civil Court passed an interim order granting an ad-interim relief in terms of <br /> prayer clause restrained from disturbing and or interfering with the plaintiffs <br /> use, occupation, possession over the suit premises till next date, save and <br /> except by following due process of law. Appellant claimed to have mentioned <br /> the matter before the Adjudicating Authority on 09.01.2026 regarding ad-<br /> interim order passed by City Civil Court. On 12.01.2026, Adjudicating <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 5 <br /> <br /> Authority passed the impugned order allowing the application. Adjudicating <br /> Authority in paragraph 29 issued following directions:- <br /> <i>“29. After consideration of the facts before us, we find </i><br /> <i>that the assertions of Respondent No. 1 to justify its </i><br /> <i>occupation of said occupation as legal are contradictory </i><br /> <i>to the facts on record and are false as is revealed from </i><br /> <i>the aforesaid analysis. Accordingly, we do not find any </i><br /> <i>merit in the contention that the occupation of said </i><br /> <i>premises by Respondent No. 1 is legal, thus, we have </i><br /> <i>no hesitation to hold that the Respondent No. 1 is in </i><br /> <i>unlawful and illegal occupation of said premises and it </i><br /> <i>is obligated to vacate the same forthwith. Since, the </i><br /> <i>Respondent No. 1 has stored its goods thereat, we </i><br /> <i>consider it appropriate to allow a period of 30 days for </i><br /> <i>handing over the peaceful and vacant possession of </i><br /> <i>said premises to the applicant. Having said so, we </i><br /> <i>request Respondent No. 2 to extend necessary </i><br /> <i>assistance and co-operation to the Applicant for </i><br /> <i>peaceful and vacant possession of the said premises </i><br /> <i>from Respondent No. 1 as and when their assistance is </i><br /> <i>requested by the Applicant herein.” </i><br /> 2.2. Adjudicating Authority in the impugned order held that occupation and <br /> possession of Appellant is unlawful and illegal. The assertion of Appellant to <br /> justify its occupation are false and contradictory to the facts on record. <br /> Aggrieved by the order, this Appeal has been filed. <br /> 3. We have heard Shri Abhijeet Sinha, Learned Senior Counsel for the <br /> Appellant and Shri Krishnendu Datta, Learned Senior Counsel for the <br /> Respondent No.1. <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 6 <br /> <br /> 4. Learned Counsel for the Appellant challenging the order submits that <br /> the Adjudicating Authority erred in entertaining and allowing the eviction <br /> application despite the possession of the premises having no nexus with the <br /> CIRP of the Corporate Debtor. It is submitted that under Section 60(5)(c), <br /> Adjudicating Authority has no jurisdiction to entertain the application filed <br /> by the Resolution Professional for eviction of the Appellant. Adjudicating <br /> Authority does not have jurisdiction over matters which are the <br /> <i>dehors</i><br /> insolvency proceedings. The Adjudicating Authority is not empowered to pass <br /> an order of eviction. It is submitted that the Adjudicating Authority failed to <br /> appreciate that the Appellant had an oral tenancy with the Corporate Debtor. <br /> It is submitted that oral lease with the Corporate Debtor is permissible under <br /> the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. Oral understanding <br /> between the parties has not been correctly appreciated by the Adjudicating <br /> Authority. The Adjudicating Authority disregarded the oral direction passed <br /> by the Bombay High Court on 01.07.2019 as well as the interim order dated <br /> 09.12.2025 passed by the City Civil Court. It is submitted that the liquidator <br /> could not take possession due to oral order passed by the Bombay High Court <br /> in the application which was filed by the Appellant in the pending Company <br /> Petition before the Bombay High Court. Further interim injunction granted by <br /> City Civil Court on 09.12.2025 has been disregarded although fact of <br /> obtaining interim order on 09.12.2025 was brought into notice of the <br /> Adjudicating Authority but the same has not been dealt with. It is further <br /> submitted that the CIRP proceeding against the Corporate Debtor has been <br /> stayed since 2021 and possession of the premises is not essential for the CIRP. <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 7 <br /> <br /> Resolution Professional has not shown any reason or justification for asking <br /> for possession of the premises from the Appellant. When CIRP is stayed, there <br /> is no requirement of possession. Appellants are continuing in possession for <br /> last 17 years and carrying on business since 2008. Appellant has also <br /> obtained necessary registration from the statutory authorities and paying its <br /> bills and taxes. The order of the Adjudicating Authority directing for eviction <br /> of the Appellant is not in accordance with law. Learned Counsel for the <br /> Appellant has placed reliance on various judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme <br /> Court and this Tribunal which we shall refer to while considering the <br /> submissions in detail. <br /> 5. Shri Krishnendu Datta, Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the <br /> Respondent submits that the Appellant is in unauthorised occupation of <br /> premises of the Corporate Debtor. There is no written contract/agreement <br /> between the Corporate Debtor and the Appellant. The Appellant has also failed <br /> to prove any oral contract pertaining to any tenancy created in favour of the <br /> Appellant. Appellant was only permitted to occupy the part of premises for <br /> stocking its marbles and stones. Only written letter relied by the Appellant is <br /> letter dated 22.12.2008 of the Corporate Debtor permitting it to occupy the <br /> premises to stock its marbles. At no point of time Corporate Debtor granted <br /> any lease or license in favour of the Appellant. When the liquidation <br /> proceedings were initiated before the Bombay High Court in petition under <br /> Sections 433(e), 434 and 439 of the Companies Act, 1956 by order dated <br /> 05.10.2016, Provisional Liquidator went on the spot and took symbolic <br /> possession on 04.06.2019. Liquidator also issued letter on 25.06.2019 asking <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 8 <br /> <br /> the Appellant to give possession and 01.07.2019 was date fixed for taking <br /> physical possession. Company Application was filed by the Appellant being <br /> Company Application No.261 of 2019 in winding up petition in which no order <br /> was ever passed in favour of the Appellant. After initiation of CIRP against the <br /> Corporate Debtor on 06.11.2019, Resolution Professional twice issued letter <br /> to Appellant to vacate the premises which was not complied with leading to <br /> the Resolution Professional filing an application directing for eviction of the <br /> Appellant. Adjudicating Authority is the appropriate authority to decide the <br /> issue raised by the Resolution Professional in the application. It is the duty of <br /> the Resolution Professional to take possession of the property belonging to <br /> the Corporate Debtor under Section 18(1)(f) and Section 25 of the IBC. The <br /> submission of the Appellant that the Adjudicating Authority has no <br /> jurisdiction to direct for eviction of the Appellant is wholly erroneous. The <br /> submission of the Appellant relying on order of the City Civil Court dated <br /> 09.12.2025 also does not support the Appellant, Section 63 of the IBC clearly <br /> exclude the jurisdiction of any Civil Court. Further under the order dated <br /> 09.12.2025, only protection was that Appellant shall not be evicted without <br /> due process of law. Appellant is being evicted under due process of law, hence, <br /> the order of the Civil Court does not come to any rescue. Reliance placed on <br /> oral order passed by the Bombay High Court on 01.07.2019 also does not <br /> improve any case of the Appellant since in the application filed by the <br /> Appellant, no order was passed by the Bombay High Court protecting the <br /> Appellant. More so, CIRP has been commenced, it is the Adjudicating <br /> Authority which has all jurisdiction to entertain the application for eviction. <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 9 <br /> <br /> Learned Counsel for the Respondent has placed reliance on various <br /> judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and this Tribunal which we shall <br /> refer to while considering the submissions in detail. <br /> 6. From the submissions of the Counsel for the parties and materials on <br /> the record, following are the issues which arise for consideration:- <br /> (I) Whether the application filed by the Resolution Professional being <br /> IA No.1697 of 2025 praying for eviction of the Appellant from part of the <br /> premises of the Corporate Debtor was not maintainable and <br /> Adjudicating Authority has no jurisdiction to entertain and decide the <br /> application? <br /> (II) Whether Corporate Debtor has given any tenancy right/ lease <br /> hold right/ license in favour of the Appellant and Appellant has been <br /> able to prove any such rights by any relevant materials before the <br /> Adjudicating Authority? <br /> (III) Whether by virtue of interim injunction issued by the City Civil <br /> Court on 09.12.2025 Adjudicating Authority was precluded to pass the <br /> impugned order dated 12.01.2026? <br /> <b>Issue No. (I) </b> <b> </b><br /> 7. The first submission of the Learned Counsel for the Appellant is that <br /> the Adjudicating Authority has no jurisdiction to entertain the application <br /> filed by the Resolution Professional for eviction of the Appellant. It is <br /> submitted that the application was not maintainable under Section 60(5). It <br /> is submitted that the Adjudicating Authority does not have jurisdiction over <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 10 <br /> <br /> matters which are <i>dehors</i> the insolvency proceedings and it is imperative for <br /> the Resolution Professional to establish a nexus between the subject matter <br /> and the CIRP. In event, a party is purported in unlawful possession of the <br /> Corporate Debtor’s premises, Resolution Professional must approach an <br /> appropriate forum for redressal of his grievances in accordance with law. <br /> Adjudicating Authority is not a Civil Court and if Corporate Debtor has to <br /> exercise its right, it cannot through Resolution Professional bypass the <br /> procedure and approach the Adjudicating Authority. As noted above, the <br /> above submissions are refuted by Counsel for the Respondent contending that <br /> the Adjudicating Authority has complete jurisdiction to entertain the <br /> application. <br /> 8. There is no dispute between the parties that the part of premises of the <br /> Corporate Debtor measuring 1701.3 sq. mtr. out of area 3046 sq. mtr. is in <br /> possession of the Appellant. It is an admitted fact that the Corporate Debtor <br /> is owner of the premises. It is the duty of the IRP under Section 18(1)(f) to take <br /> control and custody of any asset to which Corporate Debtor has ownership <br /> rights. Section 18(1)(f) is as follows:- <br /> <b><i>18. Duties of interim resolution professional. -</i></b><br /> <i>“</i> <i> </i><br /> <i>The interim resolution professional shall perform the </i><br /> <i>following duties, namely: -</i> <i> </i><br /> <i>(f) take control and custody of any asset over which the </i><br /> <i>corporate debtor has ownership rights as recorded in </i><br /> <i>the balance sheet of the corporate debtor, or with </i><br /> <i>information utility or the depository of securities or any </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 11 <br /> <br /> <i>other registry that records the ownership of assets </i><br /> <i>including – </i><br /> <i>(i)</i> <i> </i> <i>assets over which the corporate debtor has </i><br /> <i>ownership rights which may be located in a </i><br /> <i>foreign country; </i><br /> <i>(ii)</i> <i> </i> <i>assets that may or may not be in possession of </i><br /> <i>the corporate debtor; </i><br /> <i>(iii)</i> <i> </i> <i>tangible </i> <i>assets, </i> <i>whether </i> <i>movable </i> <i>or </i><br /> <i>immovable; </i><br /> <i>(iv)</i> <i> </i> <i>intangible </i> <i>assets </i> <i>including </i> <i>intellectual </i><br /> <i>property; </i><br /> <i>(v)</i> <i> </i> <i>securities including shares held in any </i><br /> <i>subsidiary of the corporate debtor, financial </i><br /> <i>instruments, insurance policies; </i><br /> <i>(vi)</i> <i> </i> <i>assets </i> <i>subject </i> <i>to </i> <i>the </i> <i>determination </i> <i>of </i><br /> <i>ownership by a court or authority;” </i><br /> 9. Under Section 25 of the IBC, it is the duty of the Resolution Professional <br /> to preserve and protect the assets of the Corporate Debtor. Section 25(1) &amp; <br /> (2)(a) are as follows:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>25. Duties of resolution professional. -</i></b> <i> (1) It shall </i><br /> <i>be the duty of the resolution professional to preserve </i><br /> <i>and protect the assets of the corporate debtor, including </i><br /> <i>the continued business operations of the corporate </i><br /> <i>debtor. </i><br /> <i>(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the resolution </i><br /> <i>professional shall undertake the following actions, </i><br /> <i>namely: - </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 12 <br /> <br /> <i>(a) take immediate custody and control of all the </i><br /> <i>assets of the corporate debtor, including the business </i><br /> <i>records of the corporate debtor; </i><br /> <i>(b) represent and act on behalf of the corporate debtor </i><br /> <i>with third parties, exercise rights for the benefit of the </i><br /> <i>corporate </i> <i>debtor </i> <i>in </i> <i>judicial, </i> <i>quasi-judicial </i> <i>or </i><br /> <i>arbitration proceedings; </i><br /> <i>(c) raise interim finances subject to the approval of the </i><br /> <i>committee of creditors under section 28; </i><br /> <i>(d) appoint accountants, legal or other professionals </i><br /> <i>in the manner as specified by Board; </i><br /> <i>(e) maintain an updated list of claims; </i><br /> <i>(f) convene and attend all meetings of the committee </i><br /> <i>of creditors; </i><br /> <i>(g) </i> <i>prepare </i> <i>the </i> <i>information </i> <i>memorandum </i> <i>in </i><br /> <i>accordance with section 29; </i><br /> <i> [(h) invite prospective resolution applicants, who fulfil </i><br /> <i>such criteria as may be laid down by him with the </i><br /> <i>approval of committee of creditors, having regard to </i><br /> <i>the complexity and scale of operations of the business </i><br /> <i>of the corporate debtor and such other conditions as </i><br /> <i>may be specified by the Board, to submit a resolution </i><br /> <i>plan or plans.] </i><br /> <i>(i) present all resolution plans at the meetings of the </i><br /> <i>committee of creditors; </i><br /> <i>(j) file application for avoidance of transactions in </i><br /> <i>accordance with Chapter III, if any; and (k) such other </i><br /> <i>actions as may be specified by the Board.” </i><br /> <i> </i><br /> 10. The IBC thus, cast a duty and obligation on the IRP and the Resolution <br /> Professional to take control of assets of the Corporate Debtor. When the <br /> Corporate Debtor is admittedly owner of the assets which according to the <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 13 <br /> <br /> Corporate Debtor is in unlawful possession of the Appellant, we are of the <br /> view that Resolution Professional had every jurisdiction to file an application <br /> before the Adjudicating Authority for taking possession of the assets. Learned <br /> Counsel for the Appellant in support of the submission that the Adjudicating <br /> Authority has no jurisdiction to entertain the application has relied on the <br /> judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in <b><i>“Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. </i></b><br /> <b><i>vs. Amit Gupta- (2021) 7 SCC 209”</i></b> , <b><i>“Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. vs. </i></b><br /> <b><i>SK Wheels Private Limited- (2022) 2 SCC 583”</i></b> and <b><i>“Embassy Property </i></b><br /> <b><i>Developments (P) Ltd. vs. State of Karnataka- (2020) 13 SCC 308”</i></b> . The <br /> Hon’ble Supreme Court in a subsequent judgment <b><i>“Victory Iron Works </i></b><br /> <b><i>Limited vs. Jitendra Lohia and Anr.- (2023) 7 SCC 227”</i></b> had occasion to <br /> consider the nature of jurisdiction of the NCLT in respect to an application <br /> filed by the Resolution Professional to protect its possession. In the said case, <br /> the Hon’ble Supreme Court has also occasion to consider the judgment of the <br /> Hon’ble Supreme Court in <b><i>Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. </i></b> and <b><i>Embassy </i></b><br /> <b><i>Property Developments (P) Ltd.</i></b> (supra). In the above case, the Resolution <br /> Professional of the Corporate Debtor had filed an application before the <br /> Adjudicating Authority in the CIRP proceeding of the Corporate Debtor <br /> seeking direction to Respondent not to obstruct the sole and exclusive <br /> possession of the property. The Appellant- Victory Iron Works Limited <br /> claiming to be licensee objected to the application even questioning the <br /> jurisdiction of the NCLT to entertain the application. The application was <br /> allowed by NCLT against which order Appeal was filed which was dismissed <br /> and the matter was taken to the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the above case. <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 14 <br /> <br /> One of the questions which was framed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for <br /> discussion and analysis in Paragraph 16.2 which is as follows:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>16.2.</i></b> <i> (2) Whether NCLT and N</i> <i>CLAT</i> <i> have exercised a </i><br /> <i>jurisdiction not vested in them in law by seeking to </i><br /> <i>recover/protect the possession of the corporate debtor?” </i><br /> 11. The Hon’ble Supreme Court had considered the above question i.e. <br /> Issue No.2 in paragraphs 42 to 53. The Hon’ble Supreme Court had referred <br /> to Section 18 of the IBC and considered the said issue and has considered the <br /> judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in <b><i>Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd., </i></b><br /> <b><i>Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. </i></b> and <b><i>Embassy Property Developments (P) </i></b><br /> <b><i>Ltd.</i></b> (supra). In paragraphs 42 and 43, following was observed:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>42.</i></b> <i> But as rightly pointed out by the learned counsel </i><br /> <i>for the resolution professional, the Explanation under </i><br /> <i>Section 18 begins with a caveat, namely, “for the </i><br /> <i>purposes of this Section”. Therefore, the exclusion of </i><br /> <i>assets owned by a third party, but in the possession </i><br /> <i>of the corporate debtor held under contractual </i><br /> <i>arrangements, from the definition of the expression </i><br /> <i>“assets”, is limited to Section 18. In other words, the </i><br /> <i>Explanation under Section 18 does not extend to </i><br /> <i>Section 25. </i><br /> <b><i>43.</i></b> <i> It must be mentioned here that the Explanation </i><br /> <i>was originally limited to “the sub-section” but by Act </i><br /> <i>26 of 2018, the word “sub-section” was substituted by </i><br /> <i>the word “section”. Therefore, the Explanation under </i><br /> <i>Section 18 will not provide an escape route for the </i><br /> <i>appellants. In any case, the bundle of rights and </i><br /> <i>interests created in favour of the corporate debtor may </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 15 <br /> <br /> <i>even tantamount to creation of an implied agency </i><br /> <i>under Chapter X of the Contract Act, 1872 and such </i><br /> <i>agency may not even be amenable to termination in </i><br /> <i>view of Section 202 of the said Act, since the creation </i><br /> <i>of the same in favour of the corporate debtor was </i><br /> <i>coupled with flow of consideration.” </i><br /> 12. Further, considering the earlier judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court <br /> in paragraphs 45, 46, 47 and 48 following was laid down:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>45. </i></b> <i>Embassy </i> <i>Property </i> <i>Developments [Embassy </i><br /> <i>Property Developments (P) Ltd. v. State of Karnataka, </i><br /> <i>(2020) 13 SCC 308] arose out of a case where, under the </i><br /> <i>guise of preserving and protecting the interests of the </i><br /> <i>corporate debtor, NCLT issued [Vasudevan v. State of </i><br /> <i>Karnataka, 2019 SCC OnLine NCLT 681] a direction to the </i><br /> <i>Government of Karnataka to grant renewal of a mining </i><br /> <i>lease, in terms of the deeming provision in Section 8-A(6) </i><br /> <i>of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) </i><br /> <i>Act, 1957. Raising the question of jurisdiction of the NCLT </i><br /> <i>to issue such a direction, the Government of Karnataka </i><br /> <i>approached the High Court by way of a writ petition, </i><br /> <i>instead of filing a statutory appeal to N</i> <i>CLAT</i> <i>. The </i><br /> <i>jurisdiction of the High Court to entertain the said writ </i><br /> <i>petition </i> <i>and </i> <i>also </i> <i>grant </i> <i>interim </i> <i>stay </i> <i>[State </i> <i>of </i><br /> <i>Karnataka v. Tiffins Barytes Asbestos &amp; Paints Ltd., 2019 </i><br /> <i>SCC OnLine Kar 2463] , was what was questioned before </i><br /> <i>this Court in the said decision. The right to have a mining </i><br /> <i>lease granted by the Government, was neither a statutory </i><br /> <i>right nor a contractual right. A person applying for a mining </i><br /> <i>lease may at the most be entitled to have his application </i><br /> <i>considered along with the applications of others and to a </i><br /> <i>fair treatment. Once a mining lease is granted, the terms </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 16 <br /> <br /> <i>and conditions of such grant may be subject to the </i><br /> <i>covenants contained in the grant as well as the statutory </i><br /> <i>provisions. Therefore, the ratio laid down in Embassy </i><br /> <i>Property Developments [Embassy Property Developments </i><br /> <i>(P) Ltd. v. State of Karnataka, (2020) 13 SCC 308] may not </i><br /> <i>go to the rescue of the appellants in a case of this nature </i><br /> <i>where Energy Properties became the owner only on </i><br /> <i>account of the money paid by the corporate debtor and a </i><br /> <i>bundle of very valuable rights and interests in immovable </i><br /> <i>property was created thereafter in favour of the corporate </i><br /> <i>debtor. </i><br /> <b><i>46.</i></b> <i> The decision of this Court in Gujarat Urja Vikas </i><br /> <i>Nigam [Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. v. Amit Gupta, </i><br /> <i>(2021) 7 SCC 209 : (2021) 4 SCC (Civ) 1] may not also go </i><br /> <i>to the rescue of the appellants, since the same arose out of </i><br /> <i>a termination of power purchase agreement (for short </i><br /> <i>“PPA”). In fact, this Court made a distinction in the said </i><br /> <i>case, between </i><br /> <i>(i) a dispute that arose out of the termination of PPA </i><br /> <i>solely on account of insolvency on the one hand; and </i><br /> <i>(ii) the other disputes relating to the PPA on the other </i><br /> <i>hand. </i><br /> <i> </i><br /> <b><i>47.</i></b> <i> The decision in TATA Consultancy [TATA Consultancy </i><br /> <i>Services </i> <i>Ltd. v. SK </i> <i>Wheels </i> <i>(P) </i> <i>Ltd. </i> <i>(Resolution </i><br /> <i>Professional), (2022) 2 SCC 583] , rather than helping the </i><br /> <i>appellants, actually supports the case of the corporate </i><br /> <i>debtor. In fact, the decision in Gujarat Urja Vikas </i><br /> <i>Nigam [Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. v. Amit Gupta, </i><br /> <i>(2021) 7 SCC 209 : (2021) 4 SCC (Civ) 1] was distinguished </i><br /> <i>in TATA </i> <i>Consultancy [TATA </i> <i>Consultancy </i> <i>Services </i><br /> <i>Ltd. v. SK Wheels (P) Ltd. (Resolution Professional), (2022) </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 17 <br /> <br /> <i>2 SCC 583] (by the very same author), on the ground that </i><br /> <i>if the termination was on an ipso facto clause i.e. the fact </i><br /> <i>of insolvency itself, then NCLT will have jurisdiction, but </i><br /> <i>that there was no residuary jurisdiction for NCLT, if the </i><br /> <i>termination of a contract is based on grounds unrelated to </i><br /> <i>the insolvency.” </i><br /> 13. Hon’ble Supreme Court upheld the jurisdiction of the NCLT and has <br /> made following observations in paragraphs 51, 52 &amp; 53: <br /> <i>“51. As we have seen earlier, two applications were filed </i><br /> <i>before NCLT. One was by the Resolution Professional and </i><br /> <i>the other was by Victory. A careful look at the application </i><br /> <i>filed by Victory in C.A. (IB) No.146 of 2020 would show that </i><br /> <i>there was no whisper about Victory occupying any land in </i><br /> <i>excess of what they were permitted to occupy under the </i><br /> <i>Leave and License Agreement. Under the Leave and License </i><br /> <i>Agreement, Victory was allowed to occupy only 10000 sq. </i><br /> <i>ft. of land, upon payment of a monthly license fee of </i><br /> <i>Rs.5,000/-. If at all, a vague averment was made in </i><br /> <i>paragraph VII (c) of their application to the effect that </i><br /> <i>inasmuch as the Corporate Debtor was unable to commence </i><br /> <i>any development activity in the subject land, the owner and </i><br /> <i>the developer, with their full consent, had decided to allow </i><br /> <i>the applicant to run its business in the usual course from </i><br /> <i>the subject land, because the subject land could not have </i><br /> <i>been left vacant for any substantial period of time. </i><br /> <i>52. The fact that there were security guards posted in the </i><br /> <i>property is borne out by records. This is why NCLT as well </i><br /> <i>as NCLAT have done a delicate act of balancing, by </i><br /> <i>protecting the interests of Victory to the extent of the land </i><br /> <i>permitted to be occupied. In fact, Victory does not even have </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 18 <br /> <br /> <i>the status of a lessee, but is only a licensee. A license does </i><br /> <i>not create any interest in the immovable property. </i><br /> <i>53. Therefore, NCLT as well as NCLAT were right in holding </i><br /> <i>that the possession of the Corporate Debtor, of the property </i><br /> <i>needs </i> <i>to </i> <i>be </i> <i>protected. </i> <i>This </i> <i>is </i> <i>why </i> <i>a </i> <i>direction </i><br /> <i>under Regulation 30 had been issued to the local district </i><br /> <i>administration.” </i><br /> Ultimately, the Hon’ble Supreme Court dismissed the Appeal. <br /> 14. It was clearly held by the Hon’ble Supreme Court that the judgment <br /> relied in <b><i>Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. </i></b><br /> and <b><i>Embassy Property Developments (P) Ltd.</i></b> (supra) were not attracted. In <br /> the facts of the above case ( <b><i>“Victory Iron Works Limited</i></b> ), Resolution <br /> Professional has filed the application to protect its possession, the NCLT was <br /> held to have full jurisdiction and the said judgments fully support the <br /> Respondent. <br /> 15. Counsel for the Respondent has relied on judgment of this Tribunal in <br /> <b><i>“M/s. Jhanvi Rajpal Automotive Pvt. Ltd. vs. R.P. of Rajpal Abhikaran </i></b><br /> <b><i>Pvt. Ltd.- Company Appeal (AT) (Ins.) No.1417 of 2022” </i></b> decided on <br /> 05.01.2023. In the said judgment, issue of similar nature came for <br /> consideration. One of the questions which was framed by this Tribunal in <br /> paragraph 8(i) was ‘whether the Adjudicating Authority had jurisdiction to <br /> entertain IA filed by the RP seeking direction to the Appellant to handover the <br /> possession of the premises which premises was owned by the Corporate <br /> Debtor?’. Question 8(i) is as follows:- <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 19 <br /> <br /> <i>“i. Whether the Adjudicating Authority had jurisdiction to </i><br /> <i>entertain I.A. No. 200 of 2022 filed by the RP seeking </i><br /> <i>direction to the Appellant to hand over the possession of </i><br /> <i>the premises which premises was owned by the Corporate </i><br /> <i>Debtor?” </i><br /> 16. This Tribunal heard the parties, noticed Section 18, Section 25 as well <br /> as Section 60(5) of the IBC. In paragraph 14, it was held that when there is <br /> no dispute that assets in question is owned by the Corporate Debtor, <br /> Resolution Professional can take steps for taking possession of the assets of <br /> the Corporate Debtor. In the above case, this Tribunal had also noted one of <br /> the judgments relied by the Appellant. The submission of the Appellant that <br /> Resolution Professional has to file a suit to get eviction order was also <br /> considered and negated. In paragraphs 20 and 21, following was held:- <br /> <i>“20. Accepting the contention of the Learned Counsel for </i><br /> <i>the Appellant that RP is obliged to file a suit for eviction of </i><br /> <i>the Appellant under MP Accommodation Control Act, 1961 </i><br /> <i>even though lease in favour of the Appellant has expired </i><br /> <i>shall be unduly prolonging the insolvency process which is </i><br /> <i>a time bound process. When the Corporate Debtor has the </i><br /> <i>ownership rights over the premises which premises can be </i><br /> <i>taken in control by IRP/RP, we are of the view that for </i><br /> <i>eviction of the Appellant especially in event when lease in </i><br /> <i>favour of the Appellant has come to an end, filing a suit is </i><br /> <i>not contemplated in the statutory scheme contained in IBC. </i><br /> <i>21. Thus, the contention of the Appellant that RP has to file </i><br /> <i>a suit for eviction of the Appellant under the MP </i><br /> <i>Accommodation Control Act, 1961 can not be accepted. We </i><br /> <i>thus, in view of the foregoing discussions are of the </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 20 <br /> <br /> <i>considered opinion that Adjudicating Authority has rightly </i><br /> <i>allowed the Application filed by the RP directing the </i><br /> <i>Appellant to vacate from the premises so that Resolution </i><br /> <i>Plan which has been approved can be implemented. We </i><br /> <i>thus do not find any merit in the Appeal, the Appeal is </i><br /> <i>dismissed.” </i><br /> 17. The above judgment was also affirmed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court <br /> by its judgment and order dated 10.02.2023 in <b><i>“Jhanvi Rajpal Automotive </i></b><br /> <b><i>P. Ltd. vs. R.P. of Rajpal Abhikaran P. Ltd. &amp; Anr.- 2023 SCC OnLine SC </i></b><br /> <b><i>1535”</i></b> . <br /> 18. There is one more reason due to which the submission of the Appellant <br /> that Adjudicating Authority has no jurisdiction to seek eviction of the <br /> Appellant cannot be accepted. Prior to initiation of CIRP against the Corporate <br /> Debtor, winding up proceeding under Sections 433(e), 434 and 439 of the <br /> Companies Act, 1956 were initiated in the Bombay High Court where Bombay <br /> High Court has passed an order on 05.10.2016 appointed a Provisional <br /> Liquidator. The Bombay High Court in above order had issued direction to the <br /> Provisional Liquidator to take charge of the assets/ properties and records of <br /> the Corporate Debtor. It is useful to notice direction issued in paragraph 9(v) <br /> which is as follows:- <br /> <i>“(v) Pending the hearing and final disposal of the </i><br /> <i>Company Petition, the Official Liquidator, High Court, </i><br /> <i>Bombay, is appointed as Provisional Liquidator of the </i><br /> <i>Respondent Company. The Provisional Liquidator shall </i><br /> <i>forthwith take charge of the assets/properties and </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 21 <br /> <br /> <i>records of the Respondent Company without awaiting </i><br /> <i>any notification.” </i><br /> 19. In pursuance of the said order of the Bombay High Court, Provisional <br /> Liquidator went to take possession of the assets and had taken symbolic <br /> possession on 04.06.2019 which was stated in the report submitted by the <br /> Provisional Liquidator dated 04.06.2019 which report of the liquidator is part <br /> of the record. Liquidator in the said report stated as follows:- <br /> <i>“Thereafter, we went to Plot No. 9 and we found CMC </i><br /> <i>(classical </i> <i>Marble </i> <i>Company) </i> <i>is </i> <i>working </i> <i>and </i><br /> <i>manufacturing marbles and also that 10 staff and 18 </i><br /> <i>workers are working. </i><br /> <i>Thereafter the representatives of the official liquidator </i><br /> <i>proceeded for taking physical possession of the CMC </i><br /> <i>(Classical Marble Company) manufacturing Marbles </i><br /> <i>working adjacent to Gate No. 3A i.e. Plot No. 9 Shri </i><br /> <i>Mashroot FoF, representative of CMC (classical Marble </i><br /> <i>Company) informed the representative there is no prior </i><br /> <i>intimation/letter from the official liquidator to vacate the </i><br /> <i>aforesaid premises and he further informed that the </i><br /> <i>Company Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd. has </i><br /> <i>permitted classic Marble Impex Pvt. Ltd. to stock marbles </i><br /> <i>at Shree Ram Mills Premises, vide their letter dated 22nd </i><br /> <i>December </i> <i>2008 </i> <i>issued </i> <i>by </i> <i>Shree </i> <i>Ram </i> <i>Urban </i><br /> <i>Infrastructure Ltd. to Classic Marble Impex Pvt. Ltd. The </i><br /> <i>copy of the letter dated 22nd December 2008 is annexed </i><br /> <i>herewith to this minutes as Exhibit - &quot;B&quot;. </i><br /> <i>Thereafter the representation of the Official Liquidator </i><br /> <i>requested to Shri Mashrut FoF to vacate the aforesaid </i><br /> <i>premises and remove the goods/materials belongs to </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 22 <br /> <br /> <i>Classic Marble Company which are lying in the aforesaid </i><br /> <i>premises. However he informed that there were huge and </i><br /> <i>heavy material are lying in the aforesaid premises. And </i><br /> <i>also he informed that they have not received any prior </i><br /> <i>intimation from the official Liquidator to vacate the </i><br /> <i>premises. However, Shri Mashrut FoF requested the </i><br /> <i>representatives of the official Liquidator to allow one </i><br /> <i>month time to remove the huge and heavy materials and </i><br /> <i>vacate the aforesaid premises. The request received from </i><br /> <i>Shri. Mashruf FoF not accepted and the representatives </i><br /> <i>of the Official Liquidator proceeded for physical </i><br /> <i>possession. However Shri Mashruf FoF has strongly </i><br /> <i>objected to take physical possession of the aforesaid </i><br /> <i>premises, since there is no specific court order or any </i><br /> <i>intimation to take physical possession of classic Marble </i><br /> <i>Company. Therefore the representative of the Official </i><br /> <i>Liquidator taken symbolic possession of the classic </i><br /> <i>Marble Company which is situated at Plot No.9 by </i><br /> <i>pasting possession board of the Official Liquidator on </i><br /> <i>main entrance of Classic Marble Company.” </i><br /> 20. Subsequently, liquidator had also issued a written notice dated <br /> 25.06.2019 for taking possession which notice also mentioned that liquidator <br /> has taken symbolic possession. The notice dated 25.06.2019 to the Appellant <br /> reads as follows:- <br /> <i>“To, </i><br /> <i>Classic Marble Impex Pvt Ltd </i><br /> <i>(Classic Marble Company) </i><br /> <i>Shree Ram Mills Premises, </i><br /> <i>Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, </i><br /> <i>Lower Parel, Mumbai-400013 </i><br /> <b><i>IMMEDIATE/URGENT </i></b><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 23 <br /> <br /> <i>Subject: In the matter of Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd (In </i><br /> <i>Prov. Liqn). </i><br /> <i>Reference:- (1) Minutes dated 4.6.2019 at the time of taking </i><br /> <i>Symbolic Possession of Classic Marble Company situated at </i><br /> <i>Shree Ram Mills Premises (adjacent to Gate No.3A), Ganpatrao </i><br /> <i>Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai-400013 on 4.6.2019. </i><br /> <i>Sir, </i><br /> <i>With the reference the subject cited above, I am to state that by </i><br /> <i>an order dated 5.10.2016 read with order dated 24.8.2016 and </i><br /> <i>22.3.2017 passed by the Hon&#x27;ble High Court, Bombay in </i><br /> <i>Company Petition No.1066 of 2015, presented by Action Barter </i><br /> <i>Pvt Ltd (the Petitioner), the Official Liquidator attached to the </i><br /> <i>Hon&#x27;ble High Court, Bombay has been appointed as Provisional </i><br /> <i>Liquidator of Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd., under the </i><br /> <i>provisions of the Companies Act, 1956. </i><br /> <i>Further it is informed that the team of the Official Liquidator has </i><br /> <i>visited the property of the Company (In Liqn) situated at Shree </i><br /> <i>Ram Mills Premises, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, </i><br /> <i>Mumbai 400013 for taking physical possession of the Classic </i><br /> <i>Marble Impex Pvt Ltd (Classic Marble Company) on 4.6.2019. </i><br /> <i>However your representative has not handed over physical </i><br /> <i>possession </i> <i>of </i> <i>the </i> <i>aforesaid </i> <i>property. </i> <i>Therefore </i> <i>the </i><br /> <i>representatives of the Official Liquidator have taken symbolic </i><br /> <i>possession of the aforesaid premises on 4.6.2019. It appears </i><br /> <i>that you are occupying and storing marbles in the aforesaid </i><br /> <i>premises without any authority. </i><br /> <i>Therefore, the Official Liquidator shall take possession of the </i><br /> <i>property i.e. Classic Marble Impex Pvt Ltd (Classic Marble </i><br /> <i>Company) situated at Shree Ram Mills Premises (adjacent to </i><br /> <i>Gate No.3A), Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai-</i><br /> <i>400013 on 1.7.2019 at 11.30.a.m </i><br /> <i>Yours faithfully, </i><br /> <i>(V.P. KATKAR) </i><br /> <i>OFFICIAL LIQUIDATOR HIGH COURT, BOMBAY” </i><br /> <i> </i><br /> 21. Thus, liquidator has already taken steps in the winding up proceeding <br /> to take possession and symbolic possession was taken. Bombay High Court <br /> had subsequently noticed that Provisional Liquidator stand discharged. After <br /> initiation of the CIRP against the Corporate Debtor under the Insolvency and <br /> Bankruptcy Code, it is the Resolution Professional who has to take all steps <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 24 <br /> <br /> regarding the assets of the Corporate Debtor, the Liquidator having been <br /> discharged. It is relevant to notice that Appellant also filed an application <br /> before the Bombay High Court in the winding up petition being Company <br /> Application No.261 of 2019 on 01.07.2019 in which no order could be <br /> obtained by the Appellant except according to Appellant an oral order was <br /> passed on 01.07.2019 that till the next date i.e. 03.07.2019, liquidator not to <br /> take possession. <br /> 22. We thus, are of the view that Resolution Professional was fully entitled <br /> to file an application and application filed by Resolution Professional is fully <br /> maintainable and is within jurisdiction. The submission of the Appellant is <br /> that the Resolution Professional has to prove nexus with the insolvency with <br /> respect to the application filed under Section 60(5)(c). The nexus with regard <br /> to application is fully proved since the assets admittedly is owned by the <br /> Corporate Debtor and the Resolution Professional is statutory obliged to take <br /> steps to take possession and control of the assets. Thus, we do not find any <br /> substance in the submission of the Appellant that Resolution Professional has <br /> not proved any nexus. We thus, hold that application filed by the Resolution <br /> Professional is fully maintainable before the Adjudicating Authority and the <br /> submission raised by the Appellant regarding lack of jurisdiction of the <br /> Adjudicating Authority has no substance and are rejected. <br /> <b>Issue No. (II) </b> <b> </b><br /> 23. The Appellant has claimed that he was permitted to occupy the <br /> premises by the Corporate Debtor to stock its marbles and stones. Appellant <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 25 <br /> <br /> claimed to supply marbles and stones to the Corporate Debtor since 2006. <br /> Appellant has placed reliance on the letter dated 22.12.2008 issued by the <br /> Corporate Debtor to the Appellant which letter is on the record filed by the <br /> Appellant itself. It is useful to notice the letter dated 22.12.2008 issued by the <br /> company to the Appellant as claimed by the Appellant. Letter dated <br /> 22.12.2008 is as follows:- <br /> <i>nd</i><br /> <i>“22</i> <i> December, 2008 </i><br /> <b><i>TO WHOMSO EVER IT MAY CONCERN </i></b><br /> <i>This is to confirm that we are the owners of Avadh, Shree </i><br /> <i>Ram Mills Premises, G.K. Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 </i><br /> <i>013 and we have permitted M/s. Classic Marble Impex </i><br /> <i>Pvt. Ltd. to stock marble at our premises. </i><br /> <i>This certificate is issued as per the request made by Mis. </i><br /> <i>Classic Marble Impex Pvt. Ltd. for the purpose of </i><br /> <i>intimation of place for stocking of marbles to the VAT </i><br /> <i>Department. </i><br /> <i>For Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd </i><br /> <i>Authorised Signatory” </i><br /> 24. The letter mentioned that company is owner of Shree Ram Mills <br /> Premises and owners have permitted M/s. Classic Marble Impex Pvt. Ltd. to <br /> stock marble at our premises. No other letter or document is claimed by the <br /> Appellant for any kind of right in the premises. The case which was set up by <br /> the Appellant before the Bombay High Court in its Company Application <br /> No.261 of 2019 filed after liquidator issued a notice on 25.06.2019 to the <br /> Appellant to take possession of the premises where Appellant pleaded that <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 26 <br /> <br /> there were outstanding amount against the company due to supply of <br /> marbles. Appellant claimed to have continuously used the premises as against <br /> the outstanding amount which was due on the company. An additional-<br /> affidavit has been filed to the said application 261 of 2019 where Appellant <br /> has pleaded the relevant facts and the statement that company permitted the <br /> Appellant to occupy the property till payment of the outstanding dues. In <br /> paragraph 12 of the Affidavit, following was pleaded:- <br /> <i>“12. In or about April 2013, the Respondent </i><br /> <i>represented to the Applicant Company that due to </i><br /> <i>financial difficulty, they were unable to pay off the </i><br /> <i>Applicant Company&#x27;s outstanding amounts against </i><br /> <i>the materials supplied and invoices raised on the </i><br /> <i>Respondent Company. The Respondent Company </i><br /> <i>requested the Applicant Company to continue to </i><br /> <i>occupy the said Property till payment of the </i><br /> <i>outstanding </i> <i>dues. </i> <i>Further, </i> <i>the </i> <i>Respondent </i><br /> <i>requested that the interest amount, on the </i><br /> <i>outstanding amount payable by the Respondent </i><br /> <i>Company </i> <i>shall </i> <i>be </i> <i>adjusted </i> <i>towards </i> <i>the </i><br /> <i>compensation for the use of the said Property by the </i><br /> <i>Applicant Company. It was agreed that neither the </i><br /> <i>Respondent Company would be liable to pay any </i><br /> <i>interest </i> <i>to </i> <i>the </i> <i>Applicant </i> <i>Company </i> <i>on </i> <i>the </i><br /> <i>outstanding </i> <i>dues, </i> <i>nor </i> <i>would </i> <i>the </i> <i>Applicant </i><br /> <i>Company be liable to pay any amounts to the </i><br /> <i>Respondent Company for the use of the said </i><br /> <i>Property till repayment of the entire outstanding </i><br /> <i>dues. In an attempt to recover the outstanding dues, </i><br /> <i>the Applicant Company accepted the offer of the </i><br /> <i>Respondent Company and has continued to remain </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 27 <br /> <br /> <i>in continuous, peaceful and vacant possession and </i><br /> <i>use of the said Property.” </i><br /> 25. According to the Appellant, amount of Rs.1,34,86,201/- with interest <br /> was due on the company which was stated in paragraph 13 to the following <br /> effect:- <br /> <i>“13. I say that the interest amount itself payable on </i><br /> <i>the outstanding dues of Rs. 1,34,86,201/- @ 18% </i><br /> <i>p.a. works out to Rs.24,27,516/- p.a. and the said </i><br /> <i>amount is being adjusted by the Respondent </i><br /> <i>Company against the use of the said Property. In </i><br /> <i>view of the said adjustment, the Applicant Company </i><br /> <i>has also not demanded the said interest payment </i><br /> <i>from the Respondent Company. The determination </i><br /> <i>of the monthly rent/compensation at the relevant </i><br /> <i>time was not computed as the interest amount was </i><br /> <i>much more as compared to the monthly rent </i><br /> <i>prevailing at the material time. The major portion of </i><br /> <i>the said Property is surrounded interalia by trees </i><br /> <i>and it is practically impossible for any other person </i><br /> <i>to use the same. The copy of the Photographs of the </i><br /> <i>said Property are hereto annexed and marked as </i><br /> <i>Exhibit &quot;D&quot;.” </i><br /> 26. Appellant further pleaded that Appellant be allowed to continue in <br /> possession on such terms as the Court may deem fit and proper and Appellant <br /> cannot shift such bulky material within a short span of time. In paragraphs <br /> 15 and 16, following was stated:- <br /> <i>“15. </i> <i>Much to the shock and dismay of the </i><br /> <i>Applicant, the Applicant Company for the first time </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 28 <br /> <br /> <i>became aware about the Respondent Company being </i><br /> <i>in liquidation, when on June 4, 2019, personnel from </i><br /> <i>the office of Official Liquidator, High Court, Bombay </i><br /> <i>has visited the said Property for purportedly taking </i><br /> <i>symbolic possession of the said property. Without </i><br /> <i>prejudice to the Applicant Company&#x27;s rights and </i><br /> <i>contention, given the peculiar circumstances, it is </i><br /> <i>submitted that if the Applicant Company is permitted </i><br /> <i>to remain in possession of the said Property on such </i><br /> <i>terms and conditions as may be determined by this </i><br /> <i>Hon&#x27;ble Court, the same would help in maintaining </i><br /> <i>the said Property and would ensure to the benefit of </i><br /> <i>all parties and in particular the creditors. The </i><br /> <i>Applicant has preferred this application at the earliest </i><br /> <i>given opportunity without any delay or laches. </i><br /> <i>16. The Applicant Company&#x27;s valuable materials are </i><br /> <i>lying on the said Property. I say that it is practically </i><br /> <i>not possible to shift such bulky material within a </i><br /> <i>short span of time. We therefore humbly pray that this </i><br /> <i>Hon&#x27;ble Court be pleased to permit the Applicant </i><br /> <i>Company to remain in possession of the said </i><br /> <i>Property, on such terms and conditions, as may this </i><br /> <i>Hon&#x27;ble Court may deem fit and proper, in the facts </i><br /> <i>and circumstances of the present case. The Applicant </i><br /> <i>humbly submits that grave and irreparable harm, </i><br /> <i>loss and prejudice would be occasioned to the </i><br /> <i>Applicant Company, if the possession of the said </i><br /> <i>Property is taken over by the Official Liquidator. On </i><br /> <i>the other hand, no such harm or loss will be caused </i><br /> <i>to the Official Liquidator and the parties involved, if </i><br /> <i>the reliefs as sought for are granted. The balance of </i><br /> <i>convenience tilts heavily in favour of the Applicant.” </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 29 <br /> <br /> 27. During submissions before the court, Learned Counsel for the <br /> Appellant submits that there was oral tenancy created in favour of the <br /> Appellant since the interest amount on the outstanding amount on the <br /> company was to be adjusted in the rent. However, neither details of any rent <br /> paid nor any pleading as to when tenancy was created has been pleaded or <br /> brought on record. As noted above, the pleading of the Appellant is that it has <br /> been occupying the premises since the company was not able to pay its <br /> outstanding dues of Rs.1,34,86,201/-. The pleading made before the Bombay <br /> High Court as noted above in the application filed by the Appellant itself <br /> clearly indicate that the ingredients of creation of any tenancy in favour of the <br /> Appellant was not even plead. Before Adjudicating Authority neither sufficient <br /> pleading nor any material has been brought on record to prove its case of oral <br /> tenancy. On record there is no material except letter of Company dated <br /> 22.12.2008. Learned Counsel for the Appellant has relied on Paragraph 30 of <br /> the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in <b><i>“Vishal N. Kalsaria vs. Bank </i></b><br /> <b><i>of Baroda and Ors.- (2016) 3 SCC 762”</i></b> which is as follows:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>30.</i></b> <i> The issue of determination of tenancy is also one </i><br /> <i>which is well settled. While Section 106 of the Transfer </i><br /> <i>of Property Act, 1882 does provide for registration of </i><br /> <i>leases which are created on a year-to-year basis, what </i><br /> <i>needs to be remembered is the effect of non-</i><br /> <i>registration, or the creation of tenancy by way of an </i><br /> <i>oral agreement. According to Section 106 of the </i><br /> <i>Transfer of Property Act, 1882, a monthly tenancy </i><br /> <i>shall be deemed to be a tenancy from month to month </i><br /> <i>and must be registered if it is reduced into writing. The </i><br /> <i>Transfer of Property Act, however, remains silent on </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 30 <br /> <br /> <i>the position of law in cases where the agreement is not </i><br /> <i>reduced into writing. If the two parties are executing </i><br /> <i>their rights and liabilities in the nature of a landlord-</i><br /> <i>tenant relationship and if regular rent is being paid </i><br /> <i>and accepted, then the mere factum of non-registration </i><br /> <i>of deed will not make the lease itself nugatory. If no </i><br /> <i>written lease deed exists, then such tenants are </i><br /> <i>required to prove that they have been in occupation of </i><br /> <i>the premises as tenants by producing such evidence in </i><br /> <i>the proceedings under Section 14 of the S</i> <i>ARFAESI</i> <i> Act </i><br /> <i>before the learned Magistrate. Further, in terms of </i><br /> <i>Section 55(2) of the special law in the instant case, </i><br /> <i>which is the Rent Control Act, the onus to get such a </i><br /> <i>deed registered is on the landlord. In the light of the </i><br /> <i>same, neither can the landlord nor the banks be </i><br /> <i>permitted to exploit the fact of non-registration of the </i><br /> <i>tenancy deed against the tenant.” </i><br /> 28. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the above case held that if the two parties <br /> are executing their rights and liabilities in the nature of a landlord-tenant <br /> relationship and if regular rent is being paid and accepted, then the mere <br /> factum of non-registration of deed will not make the lease itself nugatory. <br /> There cannot be any dispute to the above proposition. Present is a case where <br /> neither there is a claim of payment of any rent by the Appellant to the <br /> Corporate Debtor nor there is even an iota of evidence of any payment of any <br /> rent. The claim of the oral tenancy by the Appellant is nothing but imagination <br /> of the Appellant to somehow justify its illegal occupation. It is the Appellant <br /> case itself that it supplied the marbles to the company till 2013 and according <br /> to the case of the Appellant, an amount of Rs.1,34,86,201/- is due on the <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 31 <br /> <br /> company, hence he was allowed to continue. Appellant has also placed <br /> reliance on the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in <b><i>“Madan Mohan </i></b><br /> <b><i>Singh vs. Ved Prakash Arya- (2021) 5 SCC 456”</i></b> <i> </i> where Hon’ble Supreme <br /> Court held that the agreement of tenancy can be both by writing or oral and <br /> in the case of oral tenancy, the court has to look into the circumstances and <br /> intention of the parties and other material to determine the existence of <br /> tenancy. In paragraph 18, following was held:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>18.</i></b> <i> The categorical finding recorded by the trial court </i><br /> <i>is that the defendant failed to prove any documents </i><br /> <i>pertaining to the tenancy. The tenancy is a relationship </i><br /> <i>which is created between two parties. The agreement </i><br /> <i>of tenancy can be both by writing or oral. Even if there </i><br /> <i>is oral agreement of tenancy, the court has to look into </i><br /> <i>the circumstances and intention of the parties and </i><br /> <i>other material to conclude as to whether there was any </i><br /> <i>tenancy or not. The present is not a case where the </i><br /> <i>defendant claimed any rent agreement. The defendant </i><br /> <i>has come up with a case that he is paying rent at the </i><br /> <i>rate of Rs 450 per month. The defendant in his written </i><br /> <i>statement has stated that the plaintiff has never </i><br /> <i>issued any rent receipt. Thus, present is not a case </i><br /> <i>where there was any rent receipt filed by the </i><br /> <i>defendant in support of his claim of tenancy. The </i><br /> <i>defendant himself appeared as DW 2.” </i><br /> 29. There can be no dispute to the proposition of law as laid down but in <br /> the facts and circumstances of the present case clearly indicate that the <br /> Appellant was permitted to occupy the premises on the permission granted <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 32 <br /> <br /> by company to stock its marbles and materials. There are no materials or <br /> pleadings with regard to any kind of tenancy, lease or license on record. <br /> 30. In any view of the matter, the permission granted by the Corporate <br /> Debtor to occupy the premises shall be treated to have come to an end after <br /> winding up petition were initiated by the order of the Bombay High Court <br /> dated 05.10.2016 and liquidator was directed to take possession of the assets <br /> by the High Court and liquidator proceeded to premises on 04.06.2011 to take <br /> possession and symbolic possession was taken. After initiation of CIRP when <br /> the Resolution Professional has issued two notices to the Appellant to vacate, <br /> any permission to occupy the premises shall not continue and shall come to <br /> an end. Insofar as reliance of the Appellant on various registration including <br /> registration under MTNL, GST registration, Insurance Policy, shop <br /> registration are concerned, they were registrations obtained by the Appellant <br /> to carry out its business and the said registration in no manner help the <br /> Appellant to prove any kind of right in the premises. Registration Certificate <br /> dated 01.01.2017 under Maharashtra Shop and Establishment Act 2017 was <br /> filed by the Appellant before the Bombay High Court. The said registration <br /> certificate in paragraph 3 clearly provided as follows:- <br /> <b>“</b> <b>नमुना</b> <b>- &quot;</b> <b>व</b> <b>&quot; Form-B </b><br /> <b>न ोंदणी</b> <b> </b> <b>प्रमाणपत्र</b> <b> Registration Certificate </b><br /> <b>(</b> <b>ननयम</b> <b> 5 (1) </b> <b>पहा</b> <b>) (See rule 5(1))</b> <br /> १ <i>. </i> न ोंदणी <i> </i> क्रम ोंक <i> </i><br /> <i>1. Registration Number : 820324974/GS Ward/COMMERCIAL II </i><br /> २ <i>. </i> आस्थ पनेचे <i> </i> न व <i> </i><br /> <i>2. Name of the Establishment: CLASSIC MARBLE COMPANY PVT. </i><br /> <i>LTD. </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 33 <br /> <br /> ३ <i>. </i> सदरचे <i> </i> न ोंदणी <i> </i> प्रम णपत्र <i> </i> अर्जद र ने <i> </i> ऑनल ईनद्व रे <i> </i> अर् जस बत <i> </i> स दर <i> </i> केलेल्य <i> </i><br /> <i>(</i> अपल ड <i>) </i> स्वयों <i>-</i> प्रम णणत <i> </i> दस्तऐवर् च्य <i> </i> प्रती <i> </i> व <i> </i> स्वयों <i>-</i> घ षण <i> </i> पन्न च्य <i> </i> आध रे <i> </i> आणण <i> </i><br /> अर् जमध्ये <i> </i> सणवस्तर <i> </i> नमूद <i> </i> केलेल्य <i> </i> म णितीची <i> </i> आणण <i> </i> आस्थ पनेच्य <i> </i> व्यवस य ची <i> </i> व <i> </i><br /> आस्थ पनेच्य <i> </i> र् गेची <i> </i> प्रत्यक्ष <i> </i> पडत ळणी <i> </i> न <i> </i> करत <i> </i> देण्य त <i> </i> आले <i> </i> आिे <i>. </i> सदरचे <i> </i> प्रम णपत्र <i> </i><br /> िे <i> </i> केवळ <i> </i> न ोंदणी <i> </i> प्रम णपत्र <i> </i> आिे <i> </i> व <i> </i> सदर <i> </i> न ोंदणी <i> </i> प्रम णपत्र <i> </i> क णत्य िी <i> </i> प्रक रे <i> </i> म लमत्त <i> </i><br /> िक्क <i> </i> णकव <i> </i> म लमत्तेच <i> </i> म लकी <i> </i> िक्क <i> </i> ध रण <i> </i> करण्य च <i> </i> अणधक र <i> </i> देत <i> </i> न िी <i>. </i><br /> <i>3. This certificate is issued base on the application and the </i><br /> <i>uploaded self-certified documents and declaration given by the </i><br /> <i>applicant without physical verification of the existence of est-</i><br /> <i>ablishment the nature of business carried out and the details </i><br /> <i>mentioned in the application. This is just a certificate of registration </i><br /> <i>and does not give any right to property or possession or title of the </i><br /> <i>rights of the premises or property. </i><br /> ४ <i>. </i> व्यवस य <i> </i> सुरु <i> </i> करण्य त <i> </i> आल्य च <i> </i> णदन ोंक <i> </i><br /> <i>4. Date of commencement of Business: 01.01.2017 </i><br /> ५ <i> </i> म लक चे <i> </i> न व <i> : MR. AMIT MAFATLAL SHAH </i><br /> <i>5. Name of the Employer </i><br /> ६ <i>. </i> व्यवस य चे <i> </i> स्वरुप <i> </i><br /> <i>6. Nature of Business : BUILDING MATERIAL SUPPLIERS </i><br /> ७ <i> </i> आस्थ पनेच <i> </i> पत्त <i> :03-A, SRIRAM MILL COMPOUND, GM BHOSALE </i><br /> <i>MARG WORLI, </i><br /> <i>7. Address of Establishment : MUMBAI-400018 </i><br /> <i>WHERTHER THE BUSINESS PREMISES/PROPERTY IS ASSESSED </i><br /> <i>BY BMC: Yes </i><br /> <i>MY BMC BUILDING ID: GS0400540170000 </i><br /> <i>ADDRESS AS PER PROPERTY TAY SYSTEM: GS-1125(3a) </i><br /> <i>338ab.worli Road. Ansal Height” </i><br /> <i> </i><br /> 31. Thus, the reliance on various certificates which were obtained by the <br /> Appellant for carrying on business cannot give any right to the Appellant to <br /> remain in possession of the assets. We, thus, are satisfied that the Appellant <br /> has miserably failed to prove any kind of tenancy/lease/license having been <br /> given by the Corporate Debtor in favour of the Appellant, Appellant was only <br /> permitted to use the premised only to stack its marbles as proved by letter <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 34 <br /> <br /> dated 22.12.2008 which is the only letter filed on the record issued by the <br /> Corporate Debtor in favour of the Appellant. It is also relevant to note that <br /> before the Resolution Professional of the Corporate Debtor, Appellant has filed <br /> its claim of principal amount of Rs.1,34,86,201/- along with interest which <br /> has been admitted by Resolution Professional. The claim of entire interest was <br /> filed by the Appellant before the Resolution Professional and has been <br /> admitted. The claim of the Appellant that he was entitled to occupy the <br /> premises against the outstanding amount and on account of interest being <br /> not paid itself become contradictory and cannot be accepted. <br /> <b>Issue No. (III) </b> <b> </b><br /> 32. Appellant has placed reliance on injunction order passed by City Civil <br /> Court on 09.12.2025. It is submitted that in view of the judgment of the City <br /> Civil Court, the City Civil Court has granted injunction and in view of the <br /> interim injunction passed on 09.12.2025, Adjudicating Authority could not <br /> have proceeded to pass orders for eviction of the Appellant. We have noticed <br /> above that a suit before Civil Court was filed by the Appellant where date of <br /> hearing was fixed in the application on 02.12.2025. Application was filed by <br /> the Resolution Professional on 27.03.2025 and it was only on 01.12.2025 suit <br /> was filed. The IBC clearly bars jurisdiction of Civil courts with respect to any <br /> issue which is subject matter of insolvency process. Section 63 of the IBC <br /> provides as follows:- <br /> <i>“</i> <b><i>63. Civil court not to have jurisdiction. -</i></b> <i> No civil </i><br /> <i>court or authority shall have jurisdiction to entertain </i><br /> <i>any suit or proceedings in respect of any matter on </i><br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 35 <br /> <br /> <i>which National Company Law Tribunal or the National </i><br /> <i>Company Law Appellate Tribunal has jurisdiction </i><br /> <i>under this Code. Civil court not to have jurisdiction.” </i><br /> 33. In any view of the matter, copy of the order is brought on record as <br /> Annexure A-14 of the Appeal. The order of the City Civil Court dated <br /> 09.12.2025 directed as follows:- <br /> <i>“In the event, there will be an ad-interim relief in terms </i><br /> <i>of prayer clause a of the notice of motion and thereby </i><br /> <i>the defendant or any other person claiming through or </i><br /> <i>under him is temporarily restrained from disturbing and </i><br /> <i>or interfering with the plaintiffs use, occupation, </i><br /> <i>possession over the suit premises till next date, save </i><br /> <i>and except by following due process of law. Both parties </i><br /> <i>to take note of this order. Matter adjourned to </i><br /> <i>11.12.2025 for Writ of summons.” </i><br /> 34. The above order, thus, clearly protected the possession of the Appellant <br /> <b><i>save and except by following due process of law</i></b> . The asset is owned by <br /> the Corporate Debtor which is an admitted fact and we having held that <br /> Resolution Professional was entitled to file an application to take possession, <br /> the order of the Adjudicating Authority directing for taking possession of the <br /> assets is in accordance with law, hence, the order of the said City Civil Court <br /> in no manner could have any consequence on the order of the Adjudicating <br /> Authority. <br /> 35. In result of the aforesaid discussions, we are of the view that the <br /> Adjudicating Authority has rightly after considering all relevant aspects have <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <br /><br /> 36 <br /> <br /> issued directions. The Adjudicating Authority has rightly issued direction in <br /> paragraph 29 as noted above. <br /> 36. In view of the foregoing discussions, we do not find any merit in the <br /> Appeal. The Appeal is dismissed. We direct that in event the Appellant does <br /> not handover the vacant possession within 30 days from today, it shall be <br /> open for the Resolution Professional to take possession of the premises with <br /> the assistance of police who shall extend all assistance to the Resolution <br /> Professional. No order as to costs. <br /> <br /> <b> </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b>[Justice Ashok Bhushan] </b><br /> <b>Chairperson </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> <b>[Barun Mitra] </b><br /> <b>Member (Technical) </b><br /> <b>New Delhi </b><br /> <b><i>Anjali</i></b> <b> </b><br /> <br /> <b>Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.187 of 2026 </b><br /> <b> </b><br /> </div>