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NCLT Order
NCLT Order
(SPECIAL BENCH)
COURT III
4. C.A.(CAA)/61/MB/2023
CORAM:SH. KISHORE VEMULAPALLI, MEMBER (J)
MS. MADHU SINHA, MEMBER (T)
Mr. Hemant Sethi, counsel for the Petitioner is present through virtual hearing.
C.A. (CAA)/61/MB/2023
Heard the counsel appearing for the Petitioner and the above Company Application
Sd/- Sd/-
MADHU SINHA KISHORE VEMULAPALLI
Member (Technical) Member (Judicial)
//Shubham//
BEFORE THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL
BENCH, AT MUMBAI, COURT III
CA (CAA) 61 / III (MB) 2023
AND
AND
ORDER
1. This court is convened by video conference today.
2. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies states that the
present Scheme is a Composite Scheme of Arrangement between
Terracis Technologies Limited (‘Transferor Company 1’ or ‘Applicant
Company 1’ or ‘TTL’) and Livia India Limited (‘Transferor Company 2’ or
‘Applicant Company 2’ or ‘LIVIA’) and Bhopal E-Governance Limited
(‘Transferor Company 3’ or ‘Applicant Company 3’ or ‘BeGL’) and
Ecentric Digital Limited (‘Transferee Company’ or ‘Applicant Company
4’ or ‘Ecentric’) and their respective shareholders, under the provisions
of sections 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies
Act, 2013 and rules framed thereunder.
3. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies states that the
Scheme has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Applicant
Companies vide board resolutions dated October 19, 2022. The
Appointed Date for the Scheme is April 1, 2022.
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5. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies further submits that:
i. The Applicant Company 1 is a complete end-to-end technology
solutions company offering consulting, software development,
systems integration, data digitalization and management services
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A Slump Sale
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B Amalgamation
7. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies further submits that
following is the consideration under the Scheme.
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20.2 Upon the Scheme becoming effective, the entire share capital of
the Transferor Company 2 shall stand cancelled without any further
application, acts or deeds and there would be no consideration, either
in the form of shares or otherwise, to be paid to the shareholders of
the Transferor Company 2.
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30.2 Upon the Scheme becoming effective, the entire share capital of
the Transferor Company 3 shall stand cancelled without any further
application, acts or deeds and there would be no consideration, either
in the form of shares or otherwise, to be paid to the shareholders of
the Transferor Company.
10. That at least 30 (thirty) clear days before the aforesaid meeting of the
equity shareholders of the Applicant Company 1 to be held as aforesaid,
a notice convening the said meeting at the day, date and time aforesaid,
together with a copy of the Scheme, a copy of the statement disclosing
all material facts as required under Section 230(3) of the Companies
Act, 2013 read with Rule 6 of the Companies (Compromises,
Arrangements and Amalgamations) Rules, 2016, shall be sent by e-mail
addressed to the each of the equity shareholders of the Applicant
Company 1 whose email addresses are duly registered with the
Applicant Company 1 or by courier / registered post / speed post /
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11. That the Notice of the meeting of the equity shareholders of the
Applicant Company 1 indicating the day, date and time aforesaid, shall
be advertised once each in the “Business Standard” in English and one
vernacular newspaper namely “Navshakti” in Marathi both having
circulation in Maharashtra, not less than 30 (thirty) days before the
date fixed for the meeting.
13. That the scrutinizer for the aforesaid meeting of the equity shareholders
of Applicant Company 1 shall be M/s Baheti Gupta and Co., Practising
Company Secretaries and failing them CS Nithya Pasupathy, Practising
Company Secretary M No: F10601 and COP: 22562, with remuneration
fixed at Rs. 15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand Only) excluding taxes.
14. The quorum for the aforesaid meeting of the equity shareholders of
Applicant Company 1 shall be as prescribed under Section 103 of the
Companies Act, 2013 and would include equity shareholders present
through video conferencing and / or other audio-visual means. In case
the required quorum as stated above is not present at the
commencement of the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned by 30
(thirty) minutes and thereafter the persons present shall be deemed to
constitute the quorum.
15. The voting by proxy shall not be permitted in the case of meeting of the
equity shareholders of the Applicant Company 1, as the aforesaid
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16. That the Chairperson appointed for the aforesaid meeting of the equity
shareholders of the Applicant Company 1 is authorised to issue the
advertisement and send out the notice of aforesaid meeting referred to
above and shall have all powers as per the Articles of Association of the
Applicant Company 1 and also under the Companies Act, 2013 read
with the Companies (Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations)
Rules, 2016, to the extent necessary and applicable, in relation to the
conduct of the meeting(s), including for deciding procedural questions
that may arise at the meeting or at any adjournment thereof.
17. The value and number of the shares held by each equity shareholder of
the Applicant Company 1 shall be in accordance with the books /
register of the Applicant Company 1 or depository records and where
the entries in the books / register / depository records are disputed,
the Chairperson of the meeting shall determine the value for the
purposes of the meeting of equity shareholders of the Applicant
Company 1 and his / her decision in that behalf would be final.
18. The Chairperson shall file an affidavit not less than 7 (Seven) days
before the date fixed for the holding of the meeting of the equity
shareholders of the Applicant Company 1 and to report to this Tribunal
that a direction regarding the issue of notices and advertisement have
been duly complied with.
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19. The Chairperson appointed for the aforesaid meeting of the equity
shareholders of the Applicant Company 1 shall report to this Tribunal,
the result of the aforesaid meeting within 30 (thirty) days of the
conclusion of the aforesaid meeting, and the said report shall be verified
by his Affidavit as per Rule 14 of the Companies (Compromises,
Arrangements and Amalgamations) Rules, 2016.
20. The Learned Counsel of the Applicant Companies submits that there
are 8 (Eight) equity shareholders of the Applicant Company 2 and that
they have procured the consent affidavits from all the equity
shareholders of the Applicant Company 2 which are annexed to the
Company Scheme Application.
21. The Learned Counsel of the Applicant Companies submits that there
are 7 (Seven) equity shareholders of the Applicant Company 3 and that
they have procured the consent affidavits from all the equity
shareholders of the Applicant Company 3 which are annexed to the
Company Scheme Application.
22. The Learned Counsel of the Applicant Companies submits that there
are 7 (Seven) equity shareholders of the Applicant Company 4 and that
they have procured the consent affidavits from all the equity
shareholders of the Applicant Company 4 which are annexed to the
Company Scheme Application.
23. In view of the fact that all the equity shareholders of the respective
Applicant Company 2, Applicant Company 3 and Applicant Company
4, have given their consent via affidavits, the respective meetings of the
equity shareholders of the Applicant Company 2, Applicant Company 3
and Applicant Company 4 is hereby dispensed with.
24. The Learned Counsel of the Applicant Companies submits that there
are 2 (Two) preference shareholders of the Applicant Company 1 and
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that they have procured the consent affidavits from both the preference
shareholders of the Applicant Company 1 which are annexed to the
Company Scheme Application.
25. The Learned Counsel of the Applicant Companies submits that there is
1 (One) preference shareholder of the Applicant Company 2 and that
they have procured the consent affidavit from the sole preference
shareholder of the Applicant Company 2 which is annexed to the
Company Scheme Application.
26. The Learned Counsel of the Applicant Companies submits that there is
1 (One) preference shareholder of the Applicant Company 3 and that
they have procured the consent affidavit from the sole preference
shareholder of the Applicant Company 3 which is annexed to the
Company Scheme Application.
27. In view of the fact that all the preference shareholders of the respective
Applicant Company 1, Applicant Company 2 and Applicant Company
3, have given their consent via affidavits, the respective meetings of the
preference shareholders of the Applicant Company 1, Applicant
Company 2 and Applicant Company 3 is hereby dispensed with.
28. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies submits that there
are no preference shareholders in the Applicant Company 4 therefore,
the question of convening meeting does not arise.
29. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies submits that there
are no secured creditors in the Applicant Company 1, Applicant
Company 2 and Applicant Company 3 therefore, the question of
convening meeting or issuing notices does not arise.
30. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies submits that there
is 1 (One) secured creditor of Rs 99,93,367/- (Rupees Ninety Nine Lacs
Ninety Three Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Seven Only) in value
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for the Applicant Company 4 and the sole secured creditor of the
Applicant Company 4 has given its consent affidavit in writing to the
proposed Scheme. In view of the fact that the Applicant Company 4 has
obtained written consent affidavit from its sole secured creditor which
is annexed to the Company Scheme Application, the meeting of the
secured creditors of the Applicant Company 4, for the purpose of
considering and, if thought fit, approving the proposed Scheme with or
without modification(s) is hereby dispensed with.
31. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies submits that there
are 88 (Eighty-Eight) unsecured creditors of Rs 41,26,94,264/- (Rupees
Forty One Crores Twenty Six Lacs Ninety Four Thousand Two Hundred
and Sixty Four Only) in value in the Applicant Company 1 and 79
(Seventy Nine) unsecured creditors of Rs 1,46,50,85,590/- (Rupees One
Hundred and Forty Six Crores Fifty Lacs Eighty Five Thousand Five
Hundred and Ninety Only) in value in the Applicant Company 4. The
present Scheme is an arrangement between the shareholders of the
Applicant Companies as contemplated under section 230(1)(b) of the
Companies Act, 2013 and not in accordance with the provisions of
section 230(1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2013 as there is no compromise
or arrangement with or diminution of liability of any of the unsecured
creditors. The rights of unsecured creditors are not affected, and all the
unsecured creditors of the Applicant Company 1 and Applicant
Company 4 would be paid off in the ordinary course of business. In view
of the above, the meeting of the unsecured creditors of Applicant
Company 1 and Applicant Company 4 is hereby dispensed with. The
Bench hereby direct that notice of the proposed Scheme be given to the
unsecured creditors of Applicant Company 1 and Applicant Company 4
as on September 30, 2022 via email or speed post or courier or R.P.A.D.
or hand delivery, with instructions that they may submit their
representations, if any, within a period of 30 (Thirty) days from the date
of receipt of such intimation to the Tribunal with a copy of such
representations simultaneously be served upon Applicant Company 1
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32. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant Companies submits that there
are 7 (Seven) unsecured creditors of Rs 32,54,04,228/- (Rupees Thirty
Two Crores Fifty Four Lacs Four Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty
Eight Only) in value for the Applicant Company 2 out of which 99.05%
of unsecured creditors of the Applicant Company 2 has given their
consent affidavits in writing to the proposed Scheme and that there are
4 (Four) unsecured creditors of Rs 5,55,65,487/- (Rupees Five Crores
Fifty Five Lacs Sixty Five Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty Seven
Only) in value for the Applicant Company 3 out of which 99.99% of
unsecured creditors of the Applicant Company 3 has given their
consent affidavits in writing to the proposed Scheme. In view of the fact
that the Applicant Company 2 and Applicant Company 3 has obtained
written consent affidavit from 99.05% of unsecured creditors and
99.99% of unsecured creditors, respectively which are annexed to the
Company Scheme Application, the meeting of the unsecured creditors
of the Applicant Company 2 and the Applicant Company 3, for the
purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving the proposed
Scheme with or without modification(s) is hereby dispensed with.
33. The Applicant Companies are directed to serve notices along with a copy
of the Scheme upon –
i. The Central Government through the office of Regional Director
(Western Region), Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Mumbai;
ii. The Registrar of Companies, Mumbai;
iii. The Official Liquidator in so far as the Applicant Company 2 and
Applicant Company 3 is concerned;
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iv. The Income Tax Authority within whose jurisdiction the respective
Applicant Companies are assessed to tax; for:
Applicant Company 1: Office of the Assistant Commissioner of
Income Tax Circle 14(1)(1), Mumbai;
Room No.- 432, 4th Floor, Aayakar Bhavan, Maharishi Karve Road,
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020,
Applicant Company 2: Office of the Income Tax Officer, Ward
14(2)(2), Mumbai;
Room No. 453, 4th Floor, Aayakar Bhawan, Maharishi Karve Road,
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020,
Applicant Company 3: Office of the Assistant Commissioner of
Income Tax, Circle 1(1), Gurgaon, HSIIDC Building, Vanijya
Ninkunj, Udhyog Vihar, Phase-V, Gurgaon, Haryana 122001,
Applicant Company 4: Income tax assessing officer, Ward 2(1),
F937+XP7, Signature Towers, Gachibowli - Miyapur Road,
Kondapur, Telangana 500084.
v. The Goods and Service Tax Authority within whose jurisdiction the
respective Applicant Companies are assessed to GST; and
vi. The Reserve Bank of India,
pursuant to section 230(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 8
of the Companies (Compromises, Arrangements and
Amalgamations) Rules, 2016, with a direction that they may submit
their representations, if any, within a period of 30 (thirty) days from
the date of receipt of such notice to the Tribunal with copy of such
representations shall simultaneously be served upon the Applicant
Companies, failing which, it shall be presumed that the authorities
have no representations to make on the proposed Scheme.
34. The Tribunal appoints M/s MUKUND SABALE & COMPANY, Chartered
Accountants having address at: Satsang' RL-14/2, Service Road of
Sheel Road, Milapnagar, MIDC Res. Area, Dombivili (E), 421 203,
having contact no: (+91) 9320257799 to assist the Official Liquidator to
scrutinize the books of accounts of the Applicant Company 2 and
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Applicant Company 3 for the last five years and submit its report to the
Tribunal. The Applicant Company 2 and Applicant Company 3 to pay
fees of Rs. 2,00,000/- for this purpose. If no representation / response
is received by the Tribunal from Official Liquidator, High Court, Bombay
within a period of 30 (thirty) days from the date of receipt of such notice,
it will be presumed that the Official Liquidator has no representation /
objection to the proposed Scheme as per rule 8 of the Companies
(Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations) Rules, 2016.
35. The Applicant Companies shall file an affidavit of service with the
registry, proving dispatch of notice to the regulatory authorities; and
the Applicant Company 1 and the Applicant Company 4 shall file an
affidavit of service with the registry, proving dispatch of notice to their
respective unsecured creditors and report to this Tribunal that the
directions regarding the issue of notices have been duly complied with.
Sd/- Sd/-
Madhu Sinha Kishore Vemulapalli
Member (Technical) Member (Judicial)
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