Authority: National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Division Bench (Court– I), Chennai

Order Date: 17 June 2026

Case Overview

This order pertains to an Interlocutory Application (IA/CA/153/CHE/2026) filed in the main Company Petition CP(CA)/67(CHE)/2020, titled Nirmala Narayanan & Anr Vs Madras Chemical And Polyster Pvt Ltd. The application was filed by Respondents R2 and R3 (the Applicants in this IA) seeking to set aside a previous order dated 10 April 2026 and to permit them to file their reply in the main petition, condoning a delay of 25 days.

The main petition, filed in 2020, alleges oppression and mismanagement against the company, Madras Chemical And Polyster Pvt Ltd. The Tribunal noted that the company has had no operations since 2020 but holds two prime properties. On 18 February 2026, the Tribunal had initially granted three weeks for the Respondents to file their counter/reply. However, R2 and R3 failed to meet this deadline, leading to their right to file being closed on 10 April 2026. Their counsel appeared on 5 June 2026 to seek permission to file, which led to the filing of this formal application.

The Learned Counsel for the Petitioners in the main case vehemently opposed the application, arguing that the Respondents were adopting delay tactics and that considerable time had elapsed since the petition was filed in 2020.

Final Outcome

The NCLT bench, comprising Member (Judicial) Shri. Sanjiv Jain and Member (Technical) Shri. Venkataraman Subramaniam, allowed the application in the interest of justice. The Applicants (R2 and R3) are granted one final opportunity to file their reply, subject to a cost of ₹1,00,000 (One Lakh Rupees). This cost must be deposited into the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

The Tribunal granted two weeks from the order date (until approx. 1 July 2026) for filing the reply. Any rejoinder by the Petitioners must be filed within two weeks after that (until approx. 15 July 2026). The main petition is now listed for hearing on 24 July 2026.

Topics: NCLT Proceedings, Corporate Dispute, Legal Delay