Read the following background information and answer the questions: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC, 2016) creates an ecosystem for maximizing the value of assets of the Corporate Debtor (CD) and balancing

CS Professional · Insolvency - Law and Practice · PYQS · June 2025
Read the following background information and answer the questions: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC, 2016) creates an ecosystem for maximizing the value of assets of the Corporate Debtor (CD) and balancing the interests of all stakeholders in a time-bound manner. A significant value of insolvent entities is often locked in assets underlying avoidance transactions which are undertaken by the CD prior to the initiation of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). The Resolution Professional (RP) or the liquidator is obliged to file applications, in respect of Avoidance Transactions (Preferential, Undervalued, Fraudulent and Extortionate (PUFE) Transactions) found by him during CIRP and Liquidation Processes before the Hon'ble Adjudicating Authority (AA), seeking appropriate relief permissible under the Code. As of end of September 2024, 1,326 Avoidance Transaction Applications involving an amount of ₹ 3.76 lakh Crore have been filed with the AA. The AA, after consideration, can order for the amount to be clawed back. The IBC has led to a direct recovery of about ₹ 3.55 Lakh Crore due to Resolution and ₹ 10,446 Crore due to Liquidation till September, 2024. The Recovery from Avoidance Transactions will add to this recovery to the Creditors. Till September 2024, 338 Avoidance Transaction Applications have been settled by the AA ordering a claw back of about ₹ 7,516 Crore. While the RP/Liquidator may have filed an Application with the AA based on his determination, it may not always be possible for the AA to consider and dispose of the application during the tenure of the CIRP or the Liquidation Process. Section 26 of the Code clarifies that the filing of an Avoidance Application by the RP shall not affect the proceedings of CIRP. Avoidance Applications and CIRP are a separate set of proceedings and Avoidance Applications can be continued Post-completion of CIRP. The IBC provides that the Resolution/Liquidation Process should not be held up if Avoidance Transaction Applications are pending. During CIRP if the decision on Avoidance Transactions is pending before Resolution is finalised, the amount would claw back to CD for the benefit of Creditors. The CIRP Regulations mandate that a Resolution Plan should contain the details of the Party/Person who will pursue these Avoidance Transactions after the Approval of the Resolution Plan, who will get the proceeds and the manner in which the proceeds, if any, from such proceedings will be distributed. Consequently, after the Resolution Plan is approved, the RP has no role in pursuing these transactions and Creditors / Successful Resolution Applicant (SRA) will have to make their own arrangements to pursue them before the AA. The amount clawed back would reflect in higher bids. In cases where decision on Avoidance Transactions is not available, the Avoidance Transactions being Assets of the CD, could be permitted by the CoC to be bid by Prospective Resolution Applicants (PRAs) in the Resolution plan. In case the CoC decides to assign the Avoidance Transactions to a Resolution Applicant (RA), the specifics of Avoidance Transactions should be made explicit in the information Memorandum (IM) and Request for Resolution Plan (RFRP), allowing prospective RAs to account for the value of Avoidance Transactions while submitting their plan. The CoC in the Resolution Plan should not give the proceeds of Avoidance Transactions to the RA without detailing such transactions in the IM or RFRP and without transparent bidding for such transactions. Another option could be to invite bids for Avoidance Transactions separately after obtaining the Approval of AA and the amount recovered could be appropriated by the Creditors Post-approval from the AA. The provisions for Avoidance Transactions aid in maximizing the value of the CD both ex-post (i.e., once the CD is in Insolvency) and Ex-ante. These provisions foster good Corporate Governance and deter solvent entities and market participants from engaging in activities involving diversion of funds from the CD. By annulling such transactions, the Code Aims to prevent the depletion of the Debtor's Assets and protect the interest of Creditors and other Stakeholders. They would act as an additional source of Recovery for the Creditors. The Code calls upon the Resolution Professional/Liquidator, as the case may be, to bring to the knowledge to the Adjudicating Authority, transactions of Preferential. Under-value, Extortionate, Fraudulent, or unlawful nature, if any, identified during the course of CIRP or Liquidation. Considering the huge sums involved in these transactions, provisions for the same, in IBC as well as on a global scale, is of utmost importance. In ABC Bank Limited v. JIL, the NCLT Bench, dealt with a crucial aspect of Insolvency proceedings, that is, vulnerable transactions. The Resolution Professional (RP) of the Corporate Debtor filed application in relation to a mortgage of an immovable property belonging to the Corporate Debtor to secure the debt of a related party (that is, the Holding Company of the Corporate Debtor). The RP sought directions, inter alia so as to declare the transaction as Preferential, Undervalued and "Fraudulent and Wrongful" under the Code. Facts in a decided case: In ABC Bank Ltd. v. JIL, certain mortgages created by JIL in favour of the lenders of its Holding Company JAL. JIL was a special purpose Company promoted by JAL for certain design, engineering, development and construction projects. JAL held approximately 70% of the shares of JIL. JIL started facing financial difficulties and failed to honour its project completion deadlines. It also started defaulting on its loan payments due to its financial creditors. One of the lenders declared JIL as a Non-Performing Account ("NPA") first and other lenders declared it as a NPA subsequently. JIL Mortgaged 800 plus Acres of unencumbered land owned by it to secure the debt of JAL, vide Mortgage Deeds entered on various dates. The NCLT Admitted an application filed by one of JIL's Financial Creditors, IDBI Bank Ltd., for initiating Insolvency Proceedings under the Code, and appointed an Interim Resolution Professional ("IRP"). The IRP examined various transactions entered into by JIL with its promoter shareholders, pursuant to his duties as a Resolution Professional. The IRP, consequently filed an Application before the NCLT seeking declarations that the Impugned Transactions were: Fraudulent Transactions under Section 66 of the Code; Preferential Transactions under Section 43 of the Code; and Undervalued Transactions under Section 45 of the Code; and sought consequent reliefs ("Application"). In the light of the above information and with reference to the relevant provisions and decision of Adjudicating Authority (NCLT Bench) under IBC, 2016, answer the following Questions: When shall a transaction entered by any Corporate Debtor be deemed as Undervalued?

Answer & Explanation:

As per Section 45 (2) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 a transaction shall be considered undervalued where the Corporate Debtor: Makes a gift to a person; or enters into a transaction with a person which involves the transfer of one or more assets by the corporate debtor for a consideration which is significantly less than the value of the consideration provided by the corporate debtor, and such transaction has not taken place in the ordinary course of business of the corporate debtor.

Topics: Avoidance Transactions

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