NCLAT Guidelines On The Stamp Responsibility Conundrum

Underneath-stamped paperwork might be admitted as related proof in insolvency proceedings, the Nationwide Firm Regulation Appellate Tribunal stated, whereas reconciling differing views of tribunal benches on the difficulty.

Stamp responsibility is merely a curable technicality, a problem that might be raised earlier than acceptable authorities, the appellate tribunal stated.

The regulation of proof supplies that insufficiently stamped paperwork can’t be admitted as proof within the courtroom of regulation. Nonetheless, NCLT being an insolvency courtroom is obligated to look solely to the truth that the debt is due, the NCLAT stated whereas counting on Supreme Courtroom rulings.

Vistra ITCL India Ltd., a monetary creditor of Satra Properties (India) Ltd., had initiated insolvency towards the corporate in August this yr. It had relied on Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures Subscription Settlement and the Debenture Belief Deed as proof of debt.

The corporate opposed the insolvency software on grounds that each the paperwork have been insufficiently stamped, and underneath the Maharashtra Stamps Act couldn’t be admitted as proof of debt and default.

The tribunal had dismissed this argument, and admitted the appliance saying the insufficiency of stamp responsibility is irrelevant in figuring out admissibility of an insolvency software. The judicial and technical member, nevertheless, had completely different views as to the need of stamp responsibility fee.

The appellate tribunal did not opine on this facet however concluded that an unstamped NCD subscription settlement is enough and related in evidencing debt.

Based on Piyush Mishra, companion at Luthra and Luthra, stamp responsibility being a curable defect doesn’t pose an obstacle to a monetary debt whose existence and default might be proved in any other case.

The appellate tribunal’s order has reconciled the conflicting views that had emerged from Chandigarh and Mumbai benches on the difficulty of under-stamped paperwork as proof of debt.