Authority: National Company Law Tribunal, Bengaluru Bench

Order Date: 10.06.2026

Case Overview

The application was filed by Mr. Veeraiah Annadurai under Rule 11 of the NCLT Rules, 2016, seeking interim relief to resume his responsibilities as director of Aurz Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (Respondent No.1) with full access to office premises and records, and injunction against respondents preventing his attendance.

The dispute originated from a board meeting on 29.07.2025 where Annadurai questioned why information he sought via emails dated 23.07.2025 and 28.07.2025 was not provided. He alleged that Respondents No.2 (M S Harish) and No.6 (Vinod Ramaswamy) threatened him physically and humiliated him when he insisted on accessing information. Annadurai lodged a police complaint (Ref No.99/2025) on the same day.

Respondents issued a letter dated 29.07.2025 (emailed 30.07.2025) disqualifying Annadurai "by operation of law" under Section 164(2) of Companies Act, 2013 for non-filing of annual returns of M/s Axces Remedies Pvt. Ltd. (CIN: U74999KA2018PTC115032) where he served as director. The letter also informed him not to enter company offices or represent the company.

Annadurai contended that Respondents No.3 (B S Suresh) and No.6 (Vinod Ramaswamy), who hold majority directorship and stakes in both Axces Remedies and Aurz Lifecare LLP, were equally responsible for non-compliance but were targeting only him. He specifically raised concerns about a loan of Rs.11.70 lakhs given to Aurz Pharmaceuticals that was shown as returned in balance sheet but without transaction details.

Respondents argued that all three directors (Annadurai, Suresh, and Ramaswamy) were disqualified due to non-filing of annual returns for Axces Remedies for three consecutive years including COVID-19 grace period. They submitted that the board formally recorded the cessation of directorship in a meeting on 26.08.2025 and authorized filing of DIR-12 with Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Respondents also claimed Annadurai's submitted MBP-1 and DIR-8 forms were incomplete and unsigned.

Final Outcome

The NCLT Bench dismissed the application, finding that the interim relief sought was substantially the same as the final relief prayed for in the main company petition (C.P. No.38/BB/2025). The tribunal decided that allowing the application at this stage would be improper and that the issues raised would be considered during disposal of the main petition.

Topics: Director Disqualification, Corporate Governance, NCLT Proceedings