At belated stage, after the sale of Corporate Debtor under Liquidation confirmed, the objections raised by a Prospective Bidder cannot be entertain especially when there is no allegation of fraud – JSK Estate Pvt. Ltd. Vs. Mr. Sundaresh Bhat, Liquidator of EMCO Ltd. and Anr. – NCLT Mumbai Bench
Hon’ble NCLT Mumbai Bench held that:
(i) It is settled law that sale on ‘as is where is’ basis in liquidation does not necessarily mean that the successful bidder has to bear past liabilities which get settled as per Section 53 of the Code. Even if the auction notice contained clause of ‘as is and where is basis’ or of encumbrances, no fault can be found with the liquidator for having issued such a notice.
(ii) The Liquidator was quite justified in doing so in order to be on the safer side and to avoid incurring any future liability out of the proposed sale. There is nothing wrong if the successful bidder approached the Hon’ble NCLT for various reliefs and concessions with respect to ‘clean slate’ and for transfer of assets without encumbrances and if the appropriate reliefs and concessions were granted as per the settled law.
(iii) A successful bidder of a property in liquidation proceedings under the IBC is always at liberty to seek certain reliefs and concessions on the principle of clean slate.