JUDGEMENT
K.J.SENGUPTA, J. -
(1.) THE above appeal has been preferred by the appellant, above named,
against the judgment and order passed by the learned Company Judge, sitting
singly, dated 8th October 2007. By the impugned judgment and order the learned
Trial Judge directed the appellant herein to deliver vacant possession of the shop
rooms in question to the Official Liquidator or his duly authorized representative
within seven weeks from the date of passing order. By the same order the
appellant was prohibited from parting with possession in respect of the shop
rooms or either of them or creating any interest in respect of the same in favour
of any person other than the Official Liquidator till it hands over the same, to the
Official Liquidator. The aforesaid order was passed in the context of the filig of
letter for obtaining direction of the Court for eviction of the appellant claiming to
be lessee of the property of the company (in liquidation) in Hydrabad, admittedly
the said two shop rooms in question are part and parcel of the assets of the
company namely Prudential Capital Marketing Ltd. (Company in Liquidation), 26
and 27 Amarda Mall Samigudda, Hydrabad (hereinafter referred to as the said
property).
(2.) THE short fact leading to preferring this appeal as projected by the appellant is as follows:
In or about 1997 the said company (in liquidation) applied to the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter in short RBI) for issuance of certificate of registration
as non-banking financial company defined under Section 45 (I) (f) of the Act of
1934. In July 1997 the Company gave an undertaking to the RBI that it would not alienate any of its assets without prior approval of the RBI except for the
purpose of return of deposit obligation. In September 29, 1997, RBI prohibited
the Company from accepting any deposit from the public or selling or
transferring or creating any charge on its assets and properties for six months.
On 14th May 1998 RBI passed order restraining the company from selling,
transferring or creating any charge over its assets in any manner for further
period of six moths. On 30th October 1998 the RBI rejected the application of the
company for grant of certificate of registration as non-banking financial
institution. On 24th November 1998 the deed of lease was executed by the said
company in favour of the appellant for three years with an option for three
renewal in respect of the said property. The appellant thereafter obtained
necessary license wherein it was mentioned that appellant was carrying on
business from the said property. The Government of Andhra Pradesh issued
Certificate of registration to the appellant to carry on business from said
property. On 7th April 2001 the Company Petition No. 217 of 2001 was filed by
creditor of the company for its winding up. On 23rd November 2001 in
pursuance of renewal clause contained in the deed of November 24, 1998 on
option being exercised second lease was executed by the company in favour of
the appellant for a period of fifty years. On 5th December 2001 an order was
passed in Company Petition No. 217 of 2001 for winding up of the said company.
On 25th January 2001, notification was issued following the order of winding up.
On 25th February 2002 an application being CA No. 99 of 2002 was filed for
recalling of the order of winding up and an order was passed requiring the
company to deposit a sum of Rs.40, 000.00 with the Official Liquidator after which
the Official Liquidator was directed to stay its hands. On 15th May 2002 the RBI
filed complaint under Section 45 MC of the Act of 1934 being CP No. 342 of
2002. On 11th July 2003 the said company was directed to be wound up on the petition of RBI, and the Official Liquidator was directed to take charge of the
company.
(3.) IN December 2003 the appellant came to know about the order of winding up of the company after Official Liquidator had gone to take possession of the
said property. Subsequently, the appellant on coming to know about the order of
winding up tendered the rent by demand draft, and also at the same time on
behalf of the Company (in liquidation) paid proportionate maintenance charges
and property tax to the appropriate authorities. The Official Liquidator however
returned the demand draft of Rs. 29, 594 being the amount of rent to the
appellant. On 11th February 2005 the Official Liquidator asked the appellant
through the learned lawyer to make over vacant possession of the property to
him. The appellant on 27th February 2005 requested the Official Liquidator
informing all the relevant facts, in support of its claim of tenancy to accept the
rent. On 13th May 2005 letter was written by the Official Liquidator to Assistant
Registrar Companies seeking direction upon the appellant to make over vacant
possession of the said property to the Official Liquidator.;
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