Case: SHITAL FIBERS LTD Vs. INDIAN ACRYLICS LIMITED

715 (Raj)] , cannot constitute an agreement between the parties for payment of interest. The legal position, thus, seems to be obvious. Before seeking a company to be wound up on the ground that it is unable to pay its debts, it must be shown before the Court that the debt claimed against the company is ascertained and definite and that the company failed to pay the same. Mere failure to pay the amount would not constitute the requisite neglect to pay as envisaged under clause (a) of sub- section (1) of Section 434 of the Act when the company bona fide disputes the very liability and hence the defence taken up by it is of substance. It was furthermore held: Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the instant case, we are of the considered view that the claim of the petitioner towards interest on delayed payments since not covered by any specific agreement between the parties inter se is a contentious issue and the dispute as regards the payment of interest is bona fide and it cannot, therefore, legitimately be concluded that the respondent has neglected to pay. The petitioner, who pleaded inter alia in his petition that as per the trade practice payments made shall be adjusted towards interest first and balance, if any, shall be adjusted towards principal later, failed to establish the same by any prima facie evidence. In the absence of any such trade practice, appropriating the amounts towards interest first and the balance, if any towards principal next becomes inappropriate, in which event the claim of the petitioner that the respondent is liable to pay Rs 65,15,947 basing upon such calculations cannot be accurate. The total amount claimed by the petitioner as due in that view of the matter becomes doubtful and not definite. It is still got to be ascertained if the claim of the respondent were to be considered that there has been no agreement for payment of interest on delayed payments. For the above reasons, it cannot be presumed prima facie that the respondent is unable to pay its debts. 43. The findings of the High Court, with respect, are not correct for more than one reason; firstly, because the Division Bench did not hold that the invoices were not proved by cogent evidence; secondly, question of leading evidence would arise only after the company petition is admitted and, thirdly, issuance of invoices and signature of the respondent thereon is not disputed. After observing the aforesaid, this Court further held, that the appellant was also entitled to the payment of interest. 24. It can thus clearly be seen, that this Court had clearly held, that it is not necessary while admitting the petition to establish that the entire claim is undisputed. We fail to understand, as to how the said judgment of this Court in Vijay Industries (supra) would be applicable to the facts of the present case. As a matter of fact, in the said case, this Court on consideration of the invoices had come to a conclusion, that the appellant was also entitled for the interest on delayed payment. 25. In the present case, the Division Bench has not issued a direction to grant the interest as claimed by the respondent. On the contrary, it has declined to enter into the question, as to whether the appellant was also liable to pay the interest since the learned company judge had not referred to the said issue. The Division Bench therefore, while dismissing the appeal, has done so without prejudice to the respondents contention regarding interest which may be claimed either by way of an application for clarification before the learned judge or by way of an appeal or by any other proceeding. 26. We find, that the judgment of this Court in the case of IBA Health (India) Private Limited (supra) would also not be applicable to the facts of the present case. In the said case, it will be relevant to refer to the following observations of this Court. 29. On a detailed analysis of the various terms and conditions incorporated in the deed of settlement as well as the compromise deed and the averments made by the parties, we are of the considered view that there is a bona fide dispute with regard to the amount of claim made by the respondent Company in the company petition which is substantial in nature. The Company Court while exercising its powers under Sections 433 and 434 of the Companies Act, 1956 would not be in a position to decide who was at fault in not complying with the terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise deed which calls for detailed investigation of facts and examination of evidence and calls for interpretation of the various terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise entered into between the parties. 27. This Court held, that the company court while exercising its powers under sections 433 and 434 of the Companies Act would not be in a position to decide, as to who was at fault in not complying with the terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise deed. It was found, that in the said case, a detailed investigation of facts and examination of evidence and interpretation of various terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise entered into between the parties was necessary in adjudicating the claim, which could not be done in the proceedings under Section 434 of the said Act. In the said case, it was also noticed, that the claim was in respect of contingent debt and that the disputes between the parties had been compromised in terms of settlement deed. 28. Such is not the case here. On facts, the learned Company Judge as well as the Division bench have found, that the defence of the appellant could not be said to be bona fide, in good faith and of substance.

Decision (1 = appeal accepted, 0 = rejected): 0

Explanation:
0[ds]8. This Court in the case of Madhusudan Gordhandas & Co. vs. Madhu Woollen Industries Pvt. Ltd. (1971) 3 SCC 632 , observed thus:20. Two rules are well settled. First, if the debt is bona fide disputed and the defence is a substantial one, the court will not wind up the company. The court has dismissed a petition for winding up where the creditor claimed a sum for goods sold to the company and the company contended that no price had been agreed upon and the sum demanded by the creditor was unreasonable. (See London and Paris Banking Corporation [(1874) LR 19 Eq 444] ) Again, a petition for winding up by a creditor who claimed payment of an agreed sum for work done for the company when the company contended that the work had not been properly was not allowed. (See Re. Brighton Club and Horfold Hotel Co. Ltd. [(1865) 35 Beav 204])21. Where the debt is undisputed the court will not act upon a defence that the company has the ability to pay the debt but the company chooses not to pay that particular debt, see Re. A Company. [94 SJ 369] Where however there is no doubt that the company owes the creditor a debt entitling him to a winding up order but the exact amount of the debt is disputed the court will make a winding up order without requiring the creditor to quantify the debt precisely See Re Tweeds Garages Ltd. [1962 Ch 406] The principles on which the court acts are first that the defence of the company is in good faith and one of substance, secondly, the defence is likely to succeed in point of law and thirdly the company adduces prima facie proof of the facts on which the defence depends.9. It is therefore well settled, that if the debt is bona fide disputed and the defence is a substantial one, the court will not wind up the company. It is equally well settled, that where the debt is undisputed, the court will not act upon a defence that the company has the ability to pay the debt but the company chooses not to pay that particular debt. It is equally settled, that the principles on which the court acts are first, that the defence of the company is in good faith and one of substance, secondly, the defence is likely to succeed in point of law and thirdly the company adduces prima facie proof of the facts on which the defence depends.10. As to whether the defence of a Company is in good faith or as to whether it is of a substance and as to whether it is likely to succeed in point of law and as to whether the company adduces prima facie proof of the facts on which defence depends, would depend upon the facts of each case.13. It is thus clear, that in response to paragraph 4 and 5 wherein the respondent has specified its claim, the only reply given is, that it is a matter of record and that it shows about the business worth of his client. No doubt, that in paragraph 6, it is stated, that the respondent had himself been coming to the appellant and settled the amount and agreed to return Rs.25 lakh out of which only Rs. 5 lakh was returned.14. From the perusal of the written statement filed to the Company Petition, it would reveal, that the main contention of the appellant was, that it was a running company making profits and further, that the claim of the respondent was not admitted by it. It was contended, that the petition was filed only to pressurise the appellant to pay the dues which were neither admitted nor legally due.15. It was also stated in the written statement that till 26.6.2007 there was no issue with regard to supply of raw material by the respondent. However, with effect from 26.6.2007 it was noticed, that raw material supplied was defective and the goods which were sold in the market utilizing the said raw material were received back with some complaints. It was stated, that the goods which were supplied by the respondent vide invoices dated 26.6.2007 onwards were defective and the products manufactured by the appellant – company using the said raw material (i.e. acrylic yarn) were returned by the dealers and importers due to defective quality. It was stated, that the appellant – Company had returned the defective raw material to the respondent – Company, which remained unused. It was stated, that the respondent had acknowledged the same and credited an amount of Rs.6,22,073/- in the account of the appellant. It is further stated, that after various meetings and negotiations, the respondent agreed to compensate the appellant on account of supply of defective material by issuing a credit note of Rs.5 lakh. It was further stated, that as per the account of the appellant, an amount of Rs.53,648/- was receivable from the respondent after making all the adjustments.17. It could thus be seen, that the learned Company Judge has found, that the defence taken by the appellant with regard to the products of the respondent being defective in quality was by way of an after-thought, inasmuch as, no document was placed on record in support of such contention. It was further found, that whereas in reply to the notice the appellant had claimed, that it was entitled to recover an amount of Rs.11,07,297/-, in the calculations given in written statement, the amount is Rs.53,648/-.19. It is thus amply clear, that both the learned Company Judge as well as the Division Bench upon appreciation of the materials placed on record have found, that the defence as sought to be raised by the appellant with regard to the quality of the material supplied by the respondent being defective was by way of an after-thought. The Division Bench found, that when the appellant raised a dispute about the quality, the same was acknowledged by the respondent and it was reflected in its conduct by the grant of credit. It observed, that the respondent had fairly acknowledged the defects when there were any and it was reasonable to presume, that if there were any other defects, it would have recorded the same in some manner or the other. The Division Bench further found, that it was difficult to accept the case of the appellant, that the discussions with regard to defective material were only oral. It further found, that in the reply to the statutory notice there were no mention at all with regard to oral agreement. The Division Bench further found, that the contention of the appellant, that the goods manufactured utilizing the defective raw material supplied by the respondent being returned by the dealers and thereby the appellant suffered any damages, was also not supported by any document.20. It was concurrently found, that the defence of the appellant was not bona fide one nor a substantial one. On facts, it was also found, that the appellant had taken contradictory stand in order to defeat the claim of the respondent. It was also concurrently found, that the appellant had failed to adduce prima facie proof of facts contented by it.21. Insofar as the contention of the appellant, that the appellant was an on-going Company running into profits and that the claim of the respondent was not admitted by it, is concerned, it is not a requirement in law. Reliance in this respect could be placed on various judgments of this Court including the one in the case of Vijay Industries (supra).22. Insofar as the reliance placed by the learned counsel for the appellant on the judgment of this Court in the case of Mediquip Systems (P) Ltd. (supra) is concerned, in the said case this Court came to a finding, that there was a bona fide dispute concerning the claim of the appellant. It was also found, that there was no clear cut finding by the learned single judge, that a debt is prima facie due and payable by the Company to the petitioning creditor. It was further found, that the company court had no jurisdiction to direct the company to deposit the amount payable to a third party or to a party other than the petitioning creditor. As such, on facts, the said judgment would not be applicable to the facts of the present case.23. In the case of Vijay Industries (supra) relied by the appellant, the learned single judge after finding, that a prima facie case has been made out, admitted the company petition. However, in appeal, the Division Bench set aside the order of the learned single judge. This Court while setting aside the order of the Division Bench observed thus:41. In the present case, on the date of filing of the application, dues in respect of at least a part of the debt which was more than the amount specified in Section 433 [sic Section 434(1)(a)] of the Companies Act was not denied. It is not a requirement of the law that the entire debt must be definite and certain. The Division Bench of the High Court proceeded on the basis that the entire sum covering both the principal and the interest must be undisputed, holding:Except making a bald allegation in the company petition that the petitioner had come to know that the respondent Company owes large sums of money to its creditors and it is not in a position to meet its debt obligations and as, therefore, become commercially insolvent, the petitioner has not taken necessary care to prima facie establish the same. The only piece of evidence available on the side of the petitioner is that the respondent is indebted to the petitioner a sum which is claimed towards interest on the delayed payment. Assuming for a moment that the respondent Company is liable to pay interest on the delayed payments and it has not paid the said amount to the petitioner, could it be said that the respondent neglected to pay the debt, particularly when the respondent is disputing the liability of payment of interest on the delayed payments and when there is no such written agreement in between the parties for such payment of interest.42. The Division Bench upon noticing the facts of the matter formulated the question as to whether the respondent is liable to pay interest at 2% per month on delayed payments and when that is being disputed would it constitute prima facie a valid ground for admission of the company petition? It was held:… The petitioner seeks to rely upon the invoices which according to him contain at the foot a clause for payment of interest on delayed payments. Such a clause, even assuming is there, since it has not been placed by means of any cogent evidence in this case, in view of the judgment of the Rajasthan High Court in Kitply Industries case [(1998) 91 Comp Cas 715 (Raj)] , cannot constitute an agreement between the parties for payment of interest. The legal position, thus, seems to be obvious. Before seeking a company to be wound up on the ground that it is unable to pay its debts, it must be shown before the Court that the debt claimed against the company is ascertained and definite and that the company failed to pay the same. Mere failure to pay the amount would not constitute the requisite neglect to pay as envisaged under clause (a) of sub- section (1) of Section 434 of the Act when the company bona fide disputes the very liability and hence the defence taken up by it is of substance.It was furthermore held:Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the instant case, we are of the considered view that the claim of the petitioner towards interest on delayed payments since not covered by any specific agreement between the parties inter se is a contentious issue and the dispute as regards the payment of interest is bona fide and it cannot, therefore, legitimately be concluded that the respondent has neglected to pay. The petitioner, who pleaded inter alia in his petition that as per the trade practice payments made shall be adjusted towards interest first and balance, if any, shall be adjusted towards principal later, failed to establish the same by any prima facie evidence. In the absence of any such trade practice, appropriating the amounts towards interest first and the balance, if any towards principal next becomes inappropriate, in which event the claim of the petitioner that the respondent is liable to pay Rs 65,15,947 basing upon such calculations cannot be accurate. The total amount claimed by the petitioner as due in that view of the matter becomes doubtful and not definite. It is still got to be ascertained if the claim of the respondent were to be considered that there has been no agreement for payment of interest on delayed payments. For the above reasons, it cannot be presumed prima facie that the respondent is unable to pay its debts.43. The findings of the High Court, with respect, are not correct for more than one reason; firstly, because the Division Bench did not hold that the invoices were not proved by cogent evidence; secondly, question of leading evidence would arise only after the company petition is admitted and, thirdly, issuance of invoices and signature of the respondent thereon is not disputed.After observing the aforesaid, this Court further held, that the appellant was also entitled to the payment of interest.24. It can thus clearly be seen, that this Court had clearly held, that it is not necessary while admitting the petition to establish that the entire claim is undisputed. We fail to understand, as to how the said judgment of this Court in Vijay Industries (supra) would be applicable to the facts of the present case. As a matter of fact, in the said case, this Court on consideration of the invoices had come to a conclusion, that the appellant was also entitled for the interest on delayed payment.25. In the present case, the Division Bench has not issued a direction to grant the interest as claimed by the respondent. On the contrary, it has declined to enter into the question, as to whether the appellant was also liable to pay the interest since the learned company judge had not referred to the said issue. The Division Bench therefore, while dismissing the appeal, has done so without prejudice to the respondents contention regarding interest which may be claimed either by way of an application for clarification before the learned judge or by way of an appeal or by any other proceeding.26. We find, that the judgment of this Court in the case of IBA Health (India) Private Limited (supra) would also not be applicable to the facts of the present case. In the said case, it will be relevant to refer to the following observations of this Court.29. On a detailed analysis of the various terms and conditions incorporated in the deed of settlement as well as the compromise deed and the averments made by the parties, we are of the considered view that there is a bona fide dispute with regard to the amount of claim made by the respondent Company in the company petition which is substantial in nature. The Company Court while exercising its powers under Sections 433 and 434 of the Companies Act, 1956 would not be in a position to decide who was at fault in not complying with the terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise deed which calls for detailed investigation of facts and examination of evidence and calls for interpretation of the various terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise entered into between the parties.27. This Court held, that the company court while exercising its powers under sections 433 and 434 of the Companies Act would not be in a position to decide, as to who was at fault in not complying with the terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise deed. It was found, that in the said case, a detailed investigation of facts and examination of evidence and interpretation of various terms and conditions of the deed of settlement and the compromise entered into between the parties was necessary in adjudicating the claim, which could not be done in the proceedings under Section 434 of the said Act. In the said case, it was also noticed, that the claim was in respect of contingent debt and that the disputes between the parties had been compromised in terms of settlement deed.28. Such is not the case here. On facts, the learned Company Judge as well as the Division bench have found, that the defence of the appellant could not be said to be bona fide, in good faith and of substance.