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Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

This judgment addresses appeals challenging a common order dated 7th March 2019 passed by the Adjudicating Authority (National Company Law Tribunal), Special Bench, New Delhi. The appeals pertain to the initiation and conduct of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Processes (CIRP) against Adel Landmarks Limited (formerly Era Landmarks Limited) as the Principal Borrower, and nine other Corporate Debtors who acted as Corporate Guarantors for loans availed by Adel Landmarks Limited.

The Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process was admitted against Adel Landmarks Limited by order dated 5th December 2018. Subsequently, the Appellant, Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (holder of the corporate guarantees), filed separate applications under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (I&B Code) for initiation of CIRP against the nine Corporate Guarantors.

The Adjudicating Authority dismissed these applications against the nine Corporate Debtors, holding that once a Section 7 application for the same claim is admitted against one Corporate Debtor (here, the Principal Borrower), subsequent applications against other Corporate Debtors for the same claim are not maintainable, relying on the precedent set in Vishnu Kumar Agarwal v. M/s. Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

The Appellant challenged this dismissal, arguing that the Corporate Guarantors and the Principal Borrower formed a consortium for development projects involving consolidated land parcels, and therefore, the CIRP should proceed jointly against all relevant Corporate Debtors to ensure complete resolution of the project.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether separate Section 7 applications for initiation of CIRP can be admitted against multiple Corporate Debtors (Corporate Guarantors) for the same claim and default when a CIRP is already ongoing against the Principal Borrower for that claim.
  2. Whether a group or joint insolvency proceeding is required when multiple Corporate Debtors have collaborated in a consortium for development projects involving consolidated land parcels.
  3. Whether the precedent in Vishnu Kumar Agarwal v. M/s. Piramal Enterprises Ltd. applies to cases where Corporate Debtors are jointly involved in development projects and have executed guarantees for the loan availed by the Principal Borrower.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments

  • The case differs from the precedent of M/s. Piramal Enterprises Limited because the Corporate Debtors and the Principal Borrower acted in consortium to develop the land by constructing flats and shops for allottees.
  • The resolution process cannot be effective if it proceeds only against the Principal Borrower, as the lands of all nine Corporate Debtors were consolidated for construction and development.
  • The Appellant relied on collaboration agreements and loan and guarantee documents evidencing the joint development and financial arrangements among the parties.
  • The Appellant cited the decision in Mrs. Mamatha v. AMB Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. where the Tribunal held that joint Section 7 applications are maintainable against Corporate Debtors who collaborate and form an independent corporate entity for development.

Respondents' Arguments

  • The Resolution Professional of Adel Landmarks Limited supported the Appellant's stand, submitting that the resolution process will not succeed unless the entire project involving consolidated lands of the nine Corporate Debtors is taken over as a going concern by the same Resolution Professional.
  • The nine Corporate Debtors also supported the initiation of CIRP against them jointly with Adel Landmarks Limited to ensure completion of the projects.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Vishnu Kumar Agarwal v. M/s. Piramal Enterprises Ltd. (Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 346 of 2018) Once a Section 7 application for the same claim is admitted against one Corporate Debtor, subsequent applications for the same claim against other Corporate Debtors are not maintainable. The Adjudicating Authority relied on this precedent to dismiss applications against Corporate Guarantors; however, the Tribunal held it was not applicable in the present facts involving consortium and joint development.
Mrs. Mamatha v. AMB Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. (Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 155 of 2018) Section 7 applications are maintainable jointly against Corporate Debtors who collaborate and form an independent corporate entity for land development. The Tribunal relied on this precedent to hold that joint insolvency proceedings are required against the Corporate Debtors who collaborated with the Principal Borrower for development projects.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Court analyzed the factual matrix, focusing on the collaboration agreements, licenses, and loan and guarantee documents evidencing that Adel Landmarks Limited and the nine Corporate Debtors acted in consortium to develop consolidated land parcels for residential projects. It noted that the resolution process against only the Principal Borrower would be incomplete and ineffective, as the project involves lands owned by multiple Corporate Debtors.

The Court distinguished the precedent in Vishnu Kumar Agarwal on the basis that the facts there did not involve a consortium or joint development requiring a group insolvency proceeding. The Court emphasized the principle from Mrs. Mamatha that where Corporate Debtors collaborate to form a single corporate entity for development, joint CIRP initiation is maintainable.

Further, the Court found that five Corporate Debtors (Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd., Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd., Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd., and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd.) have demonstrated sufficient connection to the Principal Borrower and the project to warrant a group insolvency proceeding. For the other four Corporate Debtors, the Court found insufficient evidence to order joint insolvency but allowed for further evidence to be produced to determine if joint CIRP is appropriate.

The Court thus held that group insolvency proceedings are necessary for the project’s completion and that the same Resolution Professional should oversee the consolidated process to maintain the project as a going concern.

Holding and Implications

The Court allowed Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377, 379, 380, 381 & 385 of 2019 and remitted Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 378, 383, 382 and 384 of 2019 back to the Adjudicating Authority with directions.

The Adjudicating Authority was directed to admit the Section 7 applications filed by Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited against the five identified Corporate Debtors and appoint the Resolution Professional of Adel Landmarks Limited as the common Resolution Professional to ensure a consolidated Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process. This will facilitate the completion of the Residential Plotted Colony project in a unified manner.

For the remaining four Corporate Debtors, the Adjudicating Authority is to consider any further evidence establishing a common developer relationship with Adel Landmarks Limited and decide on admitting their applications accordingly.

The decision ensures that insolvency proceedings reflect the commercial reality of group projects and prevents fragmented resolution processes that could jeopardize project completion. No new legal precedent was established beyond the application and clarification of existing principles regarding group insolvency under the I&B Code.

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    Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited v. Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. .

    SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA, J. In these appeals as common order dated 7th March, 2019 passed by the Adjudicating Authority (National Company Law Tribunal), Special Bench, New Delhi, is under challenge and common question of law is involved, they were heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment.

    2. Against the Principal Borrower- Adel Landmarks Limited (formerly known as Era Landmarks Limited), a petition for initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process was admitted by the Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Adjudicating Authority by order dated 5th December, 2018 in C.P. No. 1083(PB)/2018.

    3. During the pendency of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process against the Principal Borrower- Adel Landmarks Limited, the Appellant- Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited, in whose favour Corporate Guarantee were given by other Corporate Guarantors for securing the loan disbursed to the Adel Landmarks Limited (Principal Borrower), filed separate applications under Section

    7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (I&B Code for short) for initiation of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, as detailed below:

    4. As common questions of law and facts involving pertain to the Corporate Guarantor for securing the loan disbursed to Adel Corporate Debtors Appeal No.

    1. Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 377 of 2019

    2. Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 378 of 2019

    3. Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 379 of 2019

    4. Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 380 of 2019

    5. Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 381 of 2019

    6. Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 382 of 2019

    7. Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 383 of 2019

    8. Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 384 of 2019

    9. Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insol.) No. 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) being common, the Adjudicating Authority mainly dealing with the case of Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd. held that the Appellant- Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited being holder of the Corporate Guarantee from the aforesaid Corporate Debtors and the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process having triggered against the Principal Borrower- (Adel Landmarks Limited), for same set of claim against other Corporate Debtors (Corporate Guarantors) are not maintainable in view of the decision of this Appellate Tribunal in Dr. Vishnu Kumar Agarwal v. M/s. Piramal Enterprises Ltd. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 346 of 2018 etc. decided on 8th January, 2019, wherein this Appellate Tribunal held: ..However, once for same set of claim application under Section 7 filed by the Financial Creditor is admitted against one of the Corporate Debtor (Principal Borrower or Corporate Guarantor(s)), second application by the same Financial Creditor for same set of claim and default cannot be admitted against the other Corporate Debtor (the Corporate Guarantor(s) or the Principal Borrower) Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    5. The Appellant has been given liberty to file its claim before the Interim Resolution Professional of Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) in IB- 1083(PB)/2018 as the same amount cannot be claimed in separate petitions. All the applications under Section 7 preferred by the Appellant against the aforesaid nine Corporate Debtors have been dismissed by the common impugned order.

    6. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant- Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited submitted that the case of the Appellant is not at par with the case of M/s. Piramal Enterprise Limited (Supra) as referred to by the Adjudicating Authority.

    7. According to learned counsel for the Appellant, the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process cannot proceed only against one of the Corporate Debtor, namely Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) as the said Adel Landmarks Limited in consortium with nine Corporate Debtors herein decided to develop the area by constructing flats/ shops for allottees.

    8. It was submitted that Resolution Process will not be complete if the total area comprising of lands belonging to all the Corporate Debtors are not developed for the allottees. According to him, lands of all the nine Corporate Debtors, in question, have been consolidated for the purpose of construction of the housing projects. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    9. According to the Appellant, the nine Corporate Debtors, as referred to above, are the landholders who in concert with Adel Landmarks Limited (Principal Borrower) decided to develop the total area by constructing Infrastructure for the allottees. The Agreements were signed between Adel Landmarks Limited and nine Corporate Debtors aforesaid for such development and for the said reason, Principal Borrower had availed term loan of Rs. 170 Crores from ECL Finance Limited (original Financial Creditor) in whose favour nine Corporate Debtors had executed guarantee to repay the debt. Copies of the Loan Agreement and the Corporate Guarantee Agreement(s) dated 7th October, 2013 and the Assignment Agreement of ECL Finance Limited dated 23rd March, 2017 whereby debt has been assigned in favour of the Appellant- Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited have been enclosed.

    10. On notice the Respondents, including the Resolution Professional of Adel Landmarks Limited (Principal Borrower) and all the nine Corporate Debtors have appeared. Curiously, all of them on appearance supported the stand taken by the Appellant.

    11. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Resolution Professional of Adel Landmarks Limited (Principal Borrower) against which the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process has been initiated, submitted that the Resolution Process will not succeed if the whole Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 project is not taken over by the Resolution Professional for consolidated Resolution Plan as also to keep the project as a going concern.

    12. It was submitted that the two projects are based on different sets of lands of which nine Corporate Debtors are landholders. Therefore, according to the Resolution Professional, the landholders may be guarantor, but lands have been consolidated for completion of the projects.

    13. Similar plea has been taken by the counsel for all the nine Corporate Debtors, namely Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd., Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd., Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd., Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd., Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd.. They also want that the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process should be initiated against them for completion of all the projects. It was also submitted that the same Resolution Professional should take care of all the projects.

    14. Learned counsel for the Appellant while submitted that the case of M/s. Piramal Enterprises Limited (Supra) is not applicable in the facts and circumstances of the case, he relied on the decision of this Appellate Tribunal in Mrs. Mamatha v. AMB Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. & Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Ors. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 155 of 2018 disposed of on 30th November, 2018. In the said case, the Adjudicating Authority rejected the application under Section 7 for initiating the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process jointly against two Corporate Debtors on the ground that the application under Section 7 cannot be filed jointly against two Corporate Debtors. This Appellate Tribunal noticed that M/s. AMB Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. one of the Corporate Debtor and another Company, namely M/s. Earth Galleria Pvt. Ltd. entered into Collaboration Agreement dated 3rd May, 2013 for development of a land. Taking into consideration the fact that without the collaboration of the land owner and the builder, the Infrastructure Project cannot be developed, this Appellate Tribunal held that the application under Section 7 is maintainable jointly against both the Corporate Debtors, and disposed of the case with following observations:

    14. If the two Corporate Debtors collaborate and form an independent corporate unit entity for developing the land and allotting the premises to its allottee, the application under Section 7 will be maintainable against both of them jointly and not individually against one or other. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    15. In such case, both the Developer and the Land Owner, if they are corporate should be jointly treated to be one for the purpose of initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process against them.

    15. The Appellant has enclosed different Agreements and other records from which the following facts emerge.

    16. M/s. Era Landmarks (India) Limited now known as Adel Landmarks Limited reached different Collaboration Development Agreements with the following Corporate Debtors, as detailed below: The other Corporate Debtors namely Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd., Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. and Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. have also Agreement Date Corporate Debtor Land Detail

    1. 20th May, 2008 Magadh Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Sector 8, Palwal, Haryana measuring 17.5375 acres (total 2806 Kanal)

    2. 20th May, 2008 Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd. Sector 8, Palwal, Haryana measuring 17.31 acres (total 2769 Kanal)

    3. 20th May, 2008 Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Sector 8, Palwal, Haryana measuring 14.18125 acres (total 2269 Kanal)

    4. 20th May, 2008 Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. Sector 8, Palwal, Haryana measuring 14.5875 acres (total 2334 Kanal)

    5. 30th April, 2008 Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd. Sector 5B, Palwal, Haryana measuring 14.528125 acres (total 2324.5 Marla)

    6. 15th December, 2009 SRC Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. Sector 8, Palwal, Haryana measuring 5.85 acres (total

    936 Marla) Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 claimed that separate agreement reached between them with M/s. Era Landmarks (India) Limited now known as Adel Landmarks Limited. However, copy of the agreement(s) have not been enclosed.

    17. A License No. 46 of 2009 was issued on 21st August, 2009 by the Director, Town and Country Planning, Haryana, Chandigarh, Haryana Government under Rule-12 granting license in favour of M/s. Mehak Realtech Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein); M/s. Sameeksha Estates Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein); M/s. Magad Realtors Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein); M/s. Sachet Infrastructure Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein) and M/s. SRC Buildcon Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein). All having their Registered Office situated at 153, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase- III, New Delhi- 110020, Sh. Yogesh, son of Sh. Kiranpal, Smt. Sangeeta D/o Shri Kiranpal, Sh. Amit Kumar, Sh. Lalit Kumar both sons of Sh. Kishan Pal, residents of Village Palwal, District Palwal, C/o M/s. Era Landmarks (India) Limited (formally known as M/s. Era Infrastructure (India) Limited) (now known as Adel Landmarks Limited) having its registered office at 153, Okhla, Industrial Estate, Phase-III, New Delhi- 110020 for setting up of a Residential Plotted Colony at Village Palwal in Sector-8 & 9, District Palwal as extracted below: Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    18. Subsequently, renewal of License No. 46 of 2009 has been given in favour of the aforesaid persons by the Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Haryana vide Memo No. LC-1012 Vol. II/2013/62179 dated 31st December, 2013 as extracted below: Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    19. It followed by a formal order dated 31st December, 2013 issued in favour of all the aforesaid Corporate Debtors by the Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Haryana, prescribing therein the Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 composition rates and the composition fee worked out, which the licensee had deposited by 11th December, 2013, as verified by Accounts Section, as under:

    20. A License No. 53 of 2009 was issued on 28th August, 2009 by the Director, Town and Country Planning, Haryana, Chandigarh, Haryana Government under Rule-12 granting license in favour of M/s. Magad Realtors Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein); M/s. Sachet Infrastructure Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein), M/s. Sameeksha Estates Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein); M/s. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 SRC Buildcon Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein) and M/s. Mehak Realtech Private Limited (Corporate Debtor herein) and all having their Registered Office situated at 153, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase-III, New Delhi- 110020, Sh. Lala Ram S/o Sh. Muradi, Sh. Lekh Raj Dagar S/o Sh. Jodha Ram residents of Village Palwal, District Palwal, C/o M/s. Era Landmarks (India) Limited (formally known as M/s. Era Infrastructure (India) Limited) (now known as Adel Landmarks Limited) having its registered office at 153, Okhla, Industrial Estate, Phase-III, New Delhi- 110020 for setting up of a Residential Plotted Colony at Village Palwal, District Palwal as extracted below: Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    21. Subsequently, renewal of License No. 53 of 2009 has been given in favour of the aforesaid persons by the Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Haryana vide Memo No. LC-1012 Vol. III/2014/1931 dated 22nd January, 2014 as extracted below: Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    22. It is followed by a formal order dated 22nd January, 2014 issued in favour of all the aforesaid Corporate Debtors by the Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Haryana, prescribing therein the composition rates and the composition fee worked out, which the Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 licensee had deposited by 11th December, 2013 as verified by Accounts Section, as under:

    23. A revised layout plan of Palwal Sector-8 and 9 on land belong to M/s. Magad Realtors Private Limited; M/s. Mehak Realtech Private Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Limited; M/s. Sachet Infrastructure Private Limited; M/s. Sameeksha Estates Private Limited and M/s. SRC Buildcon Private Limited, measuring total area 71.302 acres has been enclosed, which are the subject matter of license granted by the Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Haryana by License No. 53 of 2009, as extracted below:

    24. Era Landmarks Limited, now known as Adel Landmarks Limited (Developer) thereafter reached a loan agreement with ECL Finance Limited, a Non-Banking Finance Company, by registered Loan Agreement dated 7th October, 2013 for disbursement of loan amount of Rs.170 Crores showing mortgaged properties of Sector-5 Palwal; Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Sector 3, Bahadurgarh; Sector-8 Palwal; Sector-3 B, Bahadurgarh; Block-D, Sector 8, Noida; Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar, Haryana and Palwal, Faridabad, Haryana.

    25. The names of the Guarantors, including the Corporate Debtors aforesaid have been shown therein, as apparent from Schedule-1 and Annexure 1 thereto, as extracted below: Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    26. The resolution of the Corporate Debtors for their respective meeting(s) have also been enclosed. Simultaneously Guarantee Agreement(s) were executed in favour of ECL Finance Limited on 7th October, 2013, 12th October, 2013 etc.

    27. ECL Finance Limited, the original Financial Creditor subsequently by Assignment Agreement dated 23rd March, 2017 assigned the total debt in favour of the Appellant- Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (Assignee) under Section 3 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act, 2002. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    28. The details of the Financing Documents have been shown at Schedule-1 therein, including the guarantor/ co- borrower, as extracted below:

    29. From the aforesaid facts, we find that the Corporate Debtors are Corporate Guarantor, and also shown as Co-Borrowers. In Annexure- II therein, the statement showing details of the loan and security documents have been mentioned which includes guarantee agreements given by the aforesaid Corporate Debtors. The descriptions of secured assets have been shown at Annexure-III of the Assignment Agreement, as extracted below: Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    30. Giving reference to the aforesaid documents, the plea has been taken by all the parties, including the Appellant and the Corporate Debtors that projects/township relates to lands of different landholders, including Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd.; Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd.; Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd..

    31. For the said reason, we find that the Resolution Professional has rightly taken the plea that the Resolution Process will not be successful if the total township is not developed.

    32. As the project will be developed on the land of five Corporate Debtors, as referred to above as per the township plan, they have rightly taken plea that simultaneous Corporate Insolvency Resolution Processes should continue against them under the guidance of same Resolution Professional.

    33. We find that it is a case of joint consortium of different Corporate Debtors and thereby a group insolvency is required to develop the township on the land of Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd.; Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd.; Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd. and others along with Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process as initiated against Adel Landmarks Limited who is the sole Developer. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    34. For the said reasons, we hold that group Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process proceeding is required to be initiated against five Corporate Debtors namely Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd.; Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd.; Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd. apart from the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process which has already been initiated against Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower).

    35. In so far as rest of the four Corporate Debtors are concerned namely Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd., license No. 53 of 2009 do not reflect the name of Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.. Similarly, Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., owner of land measuring 9.81 acres at Village Kasar and 1.8 acres at Village Khedka Musalman, Tehsil Bhadurgarh, District Jhajjar, Haryana its land or name has not been reflected in the town planning License Nos. 46 & 53 of 2009.

    36. Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd.s land admeasuring 4095 sq. mtrs. is located at Industrial Plot No.8, Block-D, Sector-8, Noida, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh which is in a State of U.P. and such lands have not been shown in the town planning of Haryana Government. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    37. Counsel for the Appellant- Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited or other four Corporate Debtors or Resolution Professional have not brought on record any evidence to suggest as to how Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. (Appellant of Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 378 of 2019); Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. (Appellant of Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 383 of 2019); Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Appellant of Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 384 of 2019) and Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd. (Appellant of Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No. 382 of 2019 can be clubbed together for group insolvency.

    38. However, if the Developer of the land of Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd. is common i.e. Adel Landmarks Limited- (Corporate Debtor) in such case, the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process having issued against common developer, Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process to be initiated against them, otherwise the allottees whose flats or shops are to be constructed by common Developer will suffer.

    39. To ensure that the allottees of Adel Landmarks Limited who jointly with Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. or with Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. or with Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. or with Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd. have agreed to develop Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 their respective lands, though it may not be part of the same project (Residential Plotted Colony), in such case also simultaneous Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process can be initiated.

    40. However, in absence of any record relating to such development, if any, reached between Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) and Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) with Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) with Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) with Manogayan Estate Pvt. Ltd., no specific finding is given at this stage in these appeals.

    41. In view of our findings and as the Adjudicating Authority has failed to appreciate the relevant fact that in the facts and circumstances, a group insolvency is to be initiated and in absence of simultaneous Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process against five Corporate Debtors namely Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd.; Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd.; Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd., the township project of Town and Country Planning, Haryana, will not be complete, we set aside the impugned order dated 7th March, 2019 and remit the case to the Adjudicating Authority with following directions. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019

    42. The Adjudicating Authority will admit the applications under Section 7 filed by Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited against Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.; Magad Realtors Pvt. Ltd.; Mehak Realtech Pvt. Ltd.; Sameeksha Estate Pvt. Ltd. and Jamvant Estates Pvt. Ltd. and appoint the Resolution Professional of Adel Landmarks Limited- (Developer) (Principal Borrower) as common Resolution Professional to ensure that the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process against Adel Landmarks Limited- (Corporate Debtor) proceed jointly and Information Memorandum is prepared in a manner that the Residential Plotted Colony at village Palwal at Sectors

    8 & 9 in terms of the License No. 46 of 2009 and License No. 53 of 2009, is completed in one go by initiating a consolidated Resolution Plan(s) for total development.

    43. In so far the case of Superlative Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Bhisham Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., Neeleshwar Mines & Minerals (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Manogayan Estates Pvt. Ltd. are concerned, their matter are remitted back to the Adjudicating Authority. The Appellant and the Corporate Debtors may produce relevant Agreements to show that the Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) against which the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process has been initiated is common Developer. In such case, one or other Corporate Debtor if show the same, the Adjudicating Authority on hearing the parties will admit their Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377 to 385 of 2019 applications so as to enable the other projects are also completed of which Adel Landmarks Limited- (Principal Borrower) is the Developer.

    44. In the result, Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 377, 379, 380, 381 & 385 of 2019 are allowed with directions as given above. Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) Nos. 378, 383, 382 and 384 of 2019 are remitted back to the Adjudicating Authority with observations and directions, as recorded above. (Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya) Chairperson (Justice A.I.S. Cheema) Member(Judicial) (Kanthi Narahari) Member(Technical) NEW DELHI 20th September, 2019

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    Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited v. Sachet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. .
    (Sep 20, 2019)