Allowed

In the matter of Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited Cp (Ib) 923-MB-C-II-2020

NCLT9 Mar 2021

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Company Law Tribunal admitted a petition filed by Axis Bank Limited under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, against Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited. The adjudicating authority initiated the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) due to established default in payment exceeding one lakh rupees. A moratorium was declared, and Mr. Saurabh Kumar Tikmani was appo

What did the court decide?

Petition admitted; CIRP initiated against Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited; Moratorium declared under Section 14; Mr. Saurabh Kumar Tikmani appointed as IRP.

In the matter of Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited Cp (Ib)… — Insolvency and Bankruptcy | NCLT (2021)

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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Under section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

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In the matter of

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AXIS BANK LIMITED [CIN: L65110GJ1993PLC020769] …Financial Creditor/Applicant

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Versus

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TALWALKARS HEALTHCLUBS LIMITED [CIN: U93090MH2016PLC280127] …Corporate Debtor/Respondent

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Order Delivered on 09.03.2021

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Coram:

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Hon'ble Member (Judicial) : Mr. H. P. Chaturvedi Hon'ble Member (Technical) : Mr. Ravikumar Duraisamy Appearances: For the Financial Creditor : Mr. Suvaankoor Das a/w Ms. Mariam Zaidi, Advocates For the Corporate Debtor : None

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ORDER

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Per: Ravikumar Duraisamy, Member

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This is a Company Petition filed under section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) by Axis Bank Limited ("the Financial Creditor"), seeking to initiate Corporate Insolvency

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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Resolution Process (CIRP) against Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited ("the Corporate Debtor").

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The Corporate Debtor is a Private company limited by shares and incorporated on 23.04.2016 under the Companies Act, 2013, with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra, Mumbai. Its Corporate Identity Number (CIN) is U93090MH2016PLC280127. Its registered office is at 801-813, Mahalaxmi Chambers 22, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai - 400026. Therefore, this Bench has jurisdiction to deal with this petition.

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The present petition was filed on 03.03.2020 before this Adjudicating Authority on the ground that the Corporate Debtor failed to make payment of the total outstanding sum of Rs.1,57,84,25,009.33 (Rupees One Hundred Fifty-Seven Crore Eighty-Four Lakhs Twenty-Five Thousand and Nine and Paisa Thirty-Three only) outstanding amount including accrued interest as on January 31, 2020.

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a) Rupee Term Loan as on January 31, 2020 is Rs.62,28,72,603.86 (Rupees Sixty-Two Crore TwentyEight Lakh Seventy-Two Thousand Six Hundred and Three and Eighty-Six Paisa only).

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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b) under the DTDs’ is Rs. 90,25,06,045.00 (Rupees Ninety Crore Twenty-Five Lakhs Six Thousand and Forty-Five Only).

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c) The total outstanding amount under vendor financing is Rs.5,30,46,360.48

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Date of default:

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i. Rupee Term Loans – August 29, 2019,

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ii. DTDs – September 4, 2019; and

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iii. Vendor Financing – August 10, 2019.

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The case of the Financial Creditor is as follows: -

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I. Rupee Term Loan:

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(a) Upon the request of Talwalkars Better Value Fitness Limited (“TBVFL”) had granted a rupee term loan for Rs. 2,98,07,00,000/- (Rupees Two Hundred and Ninety-Eight Crore and Seven Lakhs Only) for refinancing the term loan of Rs. 1,98,07,00,000/- (Rupees One Hundred and Ninety-Eight Crore and Seven Lakhs Only) from State Bank of India and Rs. 1,00,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Hundred Crore Only) for meeting the capital expenditure, the Financial Creditor granted the said loan vide sanction letter dated October 3, 2016

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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(“Sanction Letter”). Pursuant thereto, a Facility Agreement dated November 21, 2016 (“Facility Agreement”) was executed between the parties. Sanction letter has been placed at Exhibit 'B' at p. 18. The Sanction letter provides for interest in case of delayed payments, to be charged at Compound Interest rate of 11.55% and Penal interest 2% per annum. The total debt due and payable to the Financial Creditor is Rs.21,45,74,395.31 (Rupees twenty-one crore forty-five lakh seventy-four thousand three hundred ninety-five and paise thirty-one only), as mentioned at page 8 of the Petition.

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(b) Thereafter, around 2017 a scheme of arrangement was approved between the Corporate Debtor and TBVFL by this Tribunal vide order dated December 21, 2017 (“Demerger Order”) effective on and from February 20, 2018. Thereafter, the Financial Creditor down sold an amount of Rs. 1,75,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Hundred and Seventy-Five Crore Only) to three lenders namely, South Indian Bank, Hero Fin Corp and Indian Bank vide Modification letter dated September 21, 2018 (“Modification Letter”).

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(c) Pursuant to the said Modification Letter, out of the residual exposure of Rs.1,23,07,00,000/-, an amount of Rs.63,69,00,000/- (Rupees Sixty- Three Crores and Sixty-Nine Lakhs Only) was allotted to the TBVFL and the balance

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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amount was allotted to the Corporate Debtor. Further, the said Modification Letter also modifies certain other terms of the Facility Agreement.

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(d) It is further stated that, as per the terms of the Facility Agreement, Financial Creditor disbursed an aggregate amount of Rs. 273,71,66,009/- (Rupees Two Hundred and SeventyThree Crore Seventy-One Lakh Sixty-Six Thousand and Nine Only) from the period of November 29, 2016 to July 7, 2017. Thereafter, the Corporate Debtor made certain repayments of Rs. 89,16,600/- (Rupees Eighty-Nine Lakhs Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred Only) from August 29, 2018 to May 31, 2019.

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(e) It is stated that the Corporate Debtor was required to make repayments in accordance to clause 2.1 read with Schedule III (Amortization Schedule) and clause 2.7 (i) read with Schedule II of the Facility Agreement. However, the Corporate Debtor failed to pay the principal amount and interest which was due and payable on August 29, 2019 and August 31, 2019, respectively. Such default in payment constituted an event of default under clause 7.1 of the Facility Agreement.

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(f) The outstanding amount due and payable to the Financial Creditor by the Corporate Debtor pursuant to the Rupee Term Loan as on January 31, 2020 is Rs.62,28,72,603.86 (Rupees

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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Sixty-Two Crore Twenty-Eight Lakh Seventy-Two Thousand Six Hundred and Three and Eighty-Six Paisa only).

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II. Debenture Trust Deed

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(g) It is stated that around 2017, the Financial Creditor subscribed 250 debentures amounting of Rs. 25,00,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Crores Only) to TBVFL vide a Debenture Trust Deed vide February 27, 2017 (“DTD 1”), thereafter by a separate debenture trust deed dated January 16, 2018, the Financial Creditor subscribed to additional non – convertible debentures amounting of Rs. 30,00,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Crores Only) vide deed dated January 16, 2018 (“DTD 2”).

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(h) Pursuant to the Demerger Order, the Corporate Debtor executed two supplementary deeds to DTD 1 and DTD 2 each dated December 28, 2018. The said supplementary deeds, inter alia, recording the change of issuer of the debentures i.e. Corporate Debtor. Another debenture trust deed dated February 1, 2019 subscribed debentures of Rs.25,00,00,000/(Rupees Twenty-Five Crores Only) on a private placement. The entire amount as per the DTD’s was subscribed by the Financial Creditor from January 3, 2017 to December 4, 2018.

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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(i) It is stated that as per the terms of the DTD’s, the Corporate Debtor had agreed to repay the principal amount of the facility with interest in accordance with clause 5.2 read with Schedule II of the DTD’s. The Corporate Debtor defaulted in its interest obligations for the third quarter which was due and payable on September 4, 2019. Such default constitutes an event of default under clause 12 read with 13 of the DTD’s.

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(j) In these circumstances, the total outstanding amount due and payable to the Financial Creditor by the Corporate Debtor as on January 31, 2020 under the DTDs’ is Rs. 90,25,06,045.00/(Rupees Ninety Crore Twenty-Five Lakhs Six Thousand and Forty-Five Only).

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III. Vendor Financing

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(k) It is stated that the Financial Creditor at the request of the Corporate Debtor granted vendor financing facility for purchases from its domestic vendors from Gympac Fitness Systems Private Limited and Nitash Engineering and Consulting Private Limited for Rs. 20,00,00,000/- vide sanction letter dated March 28, 2019 and the purchase invoice financing agreement dated May 14, 2019.

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(l) The aforesaid facility under the purchase invoice financing agreement was secured by the bills of exchange including

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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promissory note dated May 14, 2019 (“Promissory Note”). The Financial Creditor disbursed Rs.5,00,00,000/- in two tranches on May 29, 2019 and May 31, 2019.

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(m) The Corporate Debtor failed to make the payment under clause 6 and 14 of the purchase invoice agreement read with event of default clause of Vendor Financing Sanction Letter. The total outstanding amount under vendor financing is Rs.5,30,46,360.48/-.

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(n) In view of the aforementioned transactions entered into and between the Corporate Debtor and the Financial Creditor, the total outstanding is Rs.1,57,84,25,009.33 (Rupees One FiftySeven Crore Eighty-Four Lakhs Twenty-Five Thousand and Nine and Paisa Thirty-Three only).

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(o) Thereafter, the Financial Creditor issued the recall notice dated February 18, 2020 (“Recall Notice”), inter alia, recalling the entire facility and demanding the outstanding payment of Rs.1,57,84,25,009.33 (Rupees One Fifty-Seven Crore EightyFour Lakhs Twenty-Five Thousand and Nine and Paisa Thirty-Three only).

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(p) It is stated that the record of default as recorded with the information utility, National E-Governance Services Limited records that an amount of Rs. 5,00,00,000/- is outstanding.

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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Further, it is submitted that the CIBIL report dated February 11, 2020 also records that there are amounts owed by the Corporate Debtor to the Financial Creditor. The account of the Corporate Debtor has become Non-Performing Asset w.e.f November 10, 2019 according to the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India.

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(q) It is further stated that the certified copy of entries in the relevant account as per clause (3) of section 2 of the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891 has also been filed along with bank statements.

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The captioned Petition was filed on March 3, 2020 and thereafter, numerous notices were issued to Corporate Debtor and on December 3, 2020, a notice was published in Business Standard and Navshakti in vernacular language which has vide circulation in the region. The Corporate Debtor has failed to appear and file any reply, even after ample opportunities were provided to them.

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We have heard the arguments of Financial creditor on merits and perused the records.

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Upon perusal of the documents it is noted that the Financial Creditor could not serve notice upon the Corporate Debtor. Financial Creditor also served notice by way of substituted service in Newspapers dated December 3, 2020 as stated above and the

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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adjudicating authority offered ample chances to the Corporate Debtor to file reply as well as to appear before the adjudicating authority to pursue the matter.

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Form the facts it appears that the CD has chosen not to avail the opportunity to rebut the claim of the Financial Creditor. Financial Creditor has also complied with all the requisites to file the Application as prescribed under the IBC as well as the Rules prescribed thereunder (Application to Adjudicating Authority Rules 2016). The Financial Creditor has also recommended the name of the IRP. There is no reason to deny admission of the Petition.

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The Financial Creditor has proposed the name of Mr. Saurabh Kumar Tikmani, Registration No.IBBI/IPA -001/IP/P00559/ 2017-2018/10989, as the Interim Resolution Professional of the Corporate Debtor. He has filed his written communication in Form 2 as required under rule 9(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2016 along with a copy of his Certificate of Registration.

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The application filed by the Financial Creditor is complete in all respects as required by law. It clearly shows that the Corporate Debtor is in default of a debt due and payable, and the default is in excess of minimum amount of one lakh rupees stipulated under section 4(1) of the IBC. Therefore, the default stands established

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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and there is no reason to deny the admission of the Petition. In view of this, this Adjudicating Authority admits this Petition and orders initiation of CIRP against the Corporate Debtor.

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It is, accordingly, hereby ordered as follows: -

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(a) The petition bearing CP(IB)-923/MB/C-II/2020 filed by Axis Bank Limited, the Financial Creditor, under section 7 of the IBC read with rule 4(1) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2016 for initiating Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against TALWALKARS HEALTHCLUBS LIMITED [CIN: U93090MH2016PLC280127], the Corporate Debtor, is admitted .

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(b) There shall be a moratorium under section 14 of the IBC, in regard to the following:

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(i) The institution of suits or continuation of pending suits or proceedings against the Corporate Debtor including execution of any judgment, decree or order in any court of law, tribunal, arbitration panel or other authority;

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(ii) Transferring, encumbering, alienating or disposing of by the Corporate Debtor any of its assets or any legal right or beneficial interest therein;

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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(iii) Any action to foreclose, recover or enforce any security interest created by the Corporate Debtor in respect of its property including any action under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfaesi) Act, 2002;

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(iv) The recovery of any property by an owner or lessor where such property is occupied by or in possession of the Corporate Debtor.

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(i) The supply of essential goods or services to the corporate debtor, if continuing, shall not be terminated or suspended or interrupted during the moratorium period;

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(ii) That the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 14 of the IBC shall not apply to such transactions as may be notified by the Central Government in consultation with any sectoral regulator;

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(d) The moratorium shall have effect from the date of this order till the completion of the CIRP or until this Adjudicating Authority approves the resolution plan under sub-section (1) of section 31 of the IBC or passes an order for liquidation of

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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Corporate Debtor under section 33 of the IBC, as the case may be.

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(e) Public announcement of the CIRP shall be made immediately as specified under section 13 of the IBC read with regulation 6 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016.

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(f) Mr. Saurabh Kumar Tikmani, Registration No. IBBI/IPA - 001/IP/P00559/ 2017-2018/10989, having address at KPMG Restructuring Services LLP, 1^St Floor, Lodha Excelus, Apollo Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai - 400011 [email: [email protected]], is hereby appointed as Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) of the Corporate Debtor to carry out the functions as per the IBC. The fee payable to IRP or, as the case may be, the RP shall be compliant with such Regulations, Circulars and Directions issued/as may be issued by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The IRP shall carry out his functions as contemplated by sections 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the IBC.

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(g) During the CIRP Period, the management of the Corporate Debtor shall vest in the IRP or, as the case may be, the RP in terms of section 17 of the IBC. The officers and managers of

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CP (IB) 923/MB/C-II/2020

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

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the Corporate Debtor shall provide all documents in their possession and furnish every information in their knowledge to the IRP within a period of one week from the date of receipt of this Order, in default of which coercive steps will follow.

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(h) The Financial Creditor shall deposit a sum of Rs.3,00,000/(Rupees Three lakh only) with the IRP to meet the expenses arising out of issuing public notice and inviting claims. These expenses are subject to approval by the Committee of Creditors (CoC).

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(i) The Registry is directed to communicate this Order to the Financial Creditor, the Corporate Debtor and the IRP by Speed Post and email immediately, and in any case, not later than two days from the date of this Order.

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(j) A copy of this Order be sent to the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra, Mumbai, for updating the Master Data of the Corporate Debtor. The said Registrar of Companies shall send a compliance report in this regard to the Registry of this Court within seven days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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Sd/-

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Sd/-

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RAVIKUMAR DURAISAMY H. P. CHATURVEDI Member (Technical) Member (Judicial)

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09.03.2021 Ankit/SAM

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In the matter of Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited Cp (Ib) 923-MB-C-II-2020

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In the matter of Talwalkars Healthclubs Limited Cp (Ib) 923-MB-C-II-2020

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