Even if an application under Section 8 of the Arbitration Act, 1996 is filed, the Adjudicating Authority has a duty to advert to contentions put forth on the application filed under Section 7 of IBC, examine the material placed before it by the financial creditor and record a satisfaction as to whether there is default or not – Indus Biotech Pvt. Ltd. Vs. Kotak India Venture (Offshore) Fund & Ors. – Supreme Court
Hon’ble Supreme Court held that there is default and the debt is payable, due to which the Adjudicating Authority proceeds to pass the order as contemplated under sub-section 5(a) of Section 7 of IB Code to admit the application, the proceedings would then get itself transformed into a proceeding in rem having erga omnes effect due to which the question of arbitrability of the so-called inter se dispute sought to be put forth would not arise. On the other hand, on such consideration made by the Adjudicating Authority if the satisfaction recorded is that there is no default committed by the company, the petition would stand rejected as provided under sub-section 5(b) to Section 7 of IB Code, which would leave the field open for the parties to secure appointment of the Arbitral Tribunal in an appropriate proceedings as contemplated in law and the need for the NCLT to pass any orders on such application under Section 8 of Arbitration Act, 1996 would not arise. In any proceeding which is pending before the Adjudicating Authority under Section 7 of IB Code, if such petition is admitted upon the Adjudicating Authority recording the satisfaction with regard to the default and the debt being due from the corporate debtor, any application under Section 8 of the Act, 1996 made thereafter will not be maintainable