Ministry of Coal cannot restrict New Management of Corporate Debtor from participating in Coal Mine Tenders/Auctions on the basis of dues/liabilities arising prior to approval of Resolution Plan – OCL Iron and Steel Ltd. Vs. Union of India – Delhi High Court
Hon’ble Delhi High Court held that Section 31(1) of IBC underscores that a resolution plan, once ratified by the Adjudicating Authority, must absolve the corporate debtor of past liabilities, enabling the Successful Resolution Applicant to commence operations unencumbered by previous debts. Thus, excluding the Petitioner from participating in tenders on the basis of prior dues attributable to the corporate debtor, contradicts the fundamental tenets of the IBC. Under the framework of the IBC, all claims against the corporate debtor must be clearly delineated and adjudicated by the Resolution Professional during the CIRP. It is beyond dispute that the resolution plan, once approved by the Adjudicating Authority, carries binding legal force on all stakeholders. This binding nature of the resolution plan is designed to establish finality and certainty to the insolvency process, thereby preventing any further disputes or claims that could undermine the successful revival of the corporate debtor as a going concern.