NCLAT

### Regulation 12-A permits "updation" of claims, which includes the right of a creditor to withdraw.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. v. Mr. Anil Tayal, IRP for M/s Infinia Solutions and Services Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins) No. 1013 of 2024.

NCLAT2 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The Corporate Debtor (CD) entered Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) on 28.04.2023.

Source reference: para 2

The Appellant (Kotak Mahindra Bank) filed a financial claim on 26.05.2023, which was admitted by the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP), making the Appellant the sole member of the Committee of Creditors (CoC).

Source reference: para 2-3

On 29.05.2023, the Appellant sought to withdraw its claim, stating it had taken a "commercial call" to stay out of the CIRP as the process was not cost-effective and it intended to pursue remedies under SARFAESI independently.

Source reference: para 4-5, 9

The IRP moved an application (IA 3965/2023) seeking directions on whether the Appellant could withdraw.

Source reference: no citation

The Adjudicating Authority (NCLT) dismissed the application on 11.03.2024, observing there is no provision in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to permit a claimant to withdraw its claim.

Source reference: para 1, 13
02

Issues

Whether a financial creditor has the right to withdraw its admitted claim from the CIRP.

Source reference: para 12, 39

Whether the term "updation of claim" under Regulation 12A of the CIRP Regulations, 2016, includes the power to withdraw a claim upon full satisfaction.

Source reference: para 39-41
03

Law Applied

Regulation 12A of the IBBI (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016, mandates a creditor to update its claim when satisfied partly or fully.

Source reference: para 30, 39

Sections 18, 21, and 25 of the IBC regarding the duties of the IRP/RP regarding the collation of claims and constitution of the CoC.

Source reference: para 26-27

The Supreme Court's ruling in *Swiss Ribbons Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India*, which established that the RP possesses administrative rather than quasi-judicial or adjudicatory powers.

Source reference: para 34
04

Reasoning

Under Regulation 12A (introduced via amendment in 2021), a creditor is legally obligated to update their claim if it is satisfied from any source.

Source reference: para 39

The literal and purposive interpretation of "updation" must include "withdrawal" in instances where a claim is fully satisfied.

Source reference: para 39

Earlier precedents, like *Mr. K.N. Rajakumar*, were distinguished as they were decided prior to the notification of Regulation 12A.

Source reference: para 38

A creditor with a fully satisfied claim would have zero voting share; therefore, compelling their continued participation in the CoC is illogical as they no longer hold a financial interest in the CD’s resolution.

Source reference: para 40

While the IRP lacks the adjudicatory power to unilaterally permit withdrawal, the Adjudicating Authority is empowered to pass such orders upon an application.

Source reference: para 41-42
05

Holding

The NCLAT set aside the NCLT’s order, holding that a creditor may update their claim by withdrawing it under Regulation 12A.

The appeal was allowed, and the matter was remanded to the Adjudicating Authority to dispose of the application afresh.

Source reference: para 43

The NCLT must specifically examine the legality of the claim satisfaction vis-à-vis the Section 14 moratorium and determine the liability for CIRP costs.

Source reference: para 44
NCLAT

Original Court PDF

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. v. Mr. Anil Tayal, IRP for M/s Infinia Solutions and Services Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins) No. 1013 of 2024.

NCLAT

Click to open original judgment

Original judgment, available to read, download and summarize on LawLens.in

Click to open original judgment