Authority: National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Kochi Bench

Order Date: 16 July 2026

Case Overview

This order pertains to multiple Interlocutory Applications (IAs) within the main insolvency proceeding for Sree Bhadra Parks & Resorts Ltd (IBA/13/KOB/2020). The applicant is the Liquidator, K Parameswaran Nair. The respondents are K N Narayanan Namboodiripad and five others. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Shri Vinay Goel, Member (Judicial), and Shri Ravichandran Ramasamy, Member (Technical). The Liquidator was represented by counsel Mr. Vinod P V virtually. A proxy counsel, Ms. Nandana P, appeared physically for Respondents 1 to 5. No one appeared for Respondent 6.

The core issue before the tribunal was the repeated non-compliance by Respondents 1 to 5 with its earlier orders. The specific non-compliance related to a direction for the respondents to furnish attested copies of their passports. The proxy counsel for Respondents 1 to 5 argued for a waiver of this directive, stating that some respondents did not possess passports and that one individual previously residing abroad was now in India.

The Adjudicating Authority observed that it was evident the respondents had not complied with the earlier orders. It noted the "chequered history of adjournments" in the case, which raised a "genuine suspicion regarding the intention of the Respondents" and their attempts to prolong the proceedings, potentially defeating the objectives of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.

Additionally, the order addresses an administrative error. The Court Master brought to the tribunal's notice that on 07.07.2026, draft orders were inadvertently uploaded instead of the final versions for some cases, including this one. This error resulted in an incorrect next hearing date (08.07.2026) being published online. The tribunal clarified that the correct date recorded in the daily order was 10.07.2026 and directed the Court Master to inform concerned counsels of the rectification and to exercise more caution in the future.

Final Outcome

The tribunal granted Respondents 1 to 5 "one last and final opportunity" to comply with all earlier orders before the next hearing. It stipulated that respondents without passports must file an affidavit to that effect, while others must comply with the original directive to furnish attested passport copies. While the tribunal refrained from passing a strict penalty at this hearing due to the presence of a proxy junior counsel, it explicitly warned that the respondents' conduct was a serious matter. The case was adjourned to 17.07.2026 for further hearing.

Topics: NCLT Proceeding, Liquidation, Compliance Order