If a demand notice under IBC returns undelivered then what are the remedies available?
As a matter of law, a demand notice must be effectively delivered upon whom it is intended for and issued for delivery.
Rule 5 (2) of Rules, 2016 requires the delivery of the demand notice to the corporate debtor in the following manner:
a.at its registered office by hand, registered post or speed post with acknowledgement due or,
b.by electronic mail service to a whole time director or designated partner or key managerial personnel, if any, of the corporate debtor.
In Alloysmin Industries Vs. Raman Casting Pvt. Ltd., Company Appeal (AT) (Insolvency) No.684 of 2018, NCLAT has illustrated the essential requirement of service of demand notice under Section 8 of the Code upon the corporate debtor meaning that the corporate debtor should be made aware of the Demand Notice by duly serving it upon them.
It also held that as long as the demand notice is served upon the corporate debtor, either at the registered office or corporate office, or both, it shall be considered as a valid proof of service under Section 8 of IBC.
he NCLAT in The Sandesh Ltd vs. Realm Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Company Appeal (AT)(Ins) No. 222 of 2018, in its order dated 14.03.2019, held that
when the Operational Creditor is able to prove that the Corporate Debtor is deliberately avoiding the service of the notice, then the Adjudicating Authority may allow for the publication of the notice in the newspaper and if even after that the Corporate Debtor fails to appear, then the Demand Notice may be deemed to have been served on the Respondent.
In Sh.Sharad Kesarwani Vs. M/s. Planetcast Media Services Ltd. & Anr. Company Appeal (AT) (Ins) No. 272 of 2018, NCLAT has elaborated the issue of service of Demand Notice under IBC. It was held that the Demand Notice under Section 8 has to be served at the current address of the Corporate Debtor for a valid service.
In Krystal Integrated Services Pvt. Ltd. vs. Indiaontime Express Private Limited [2019] 216 CompCas 61, NCLAT was of a different view and held that
in absence of service of demand notice upon the Respondent – Corporate Debtor whose existence at the given address itself was doubtful, the Appellant – Operational Creditor was not entitled to seek triggering of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process. Once application in prescribed form was filed by the Appellant, the Adjudicating Authority was empowered to reject the same for failure on the part of Operational Creditor to deliver demand notice to the Corporate Debtor.
The main aspect which needs to be met always is that a demand notice should not be served in a mechanical manner rather it should be in an effective manner so that other person for whom it is meant is really aware that such a notice has been issued and served upon him.
Hence, Courts have been diligent and always emphasised that it should be attempted and delivered with bona fide and it should reflect that it was only attempted technically to satisfy the pre-requirement of delivery of a demand notice under IBC before filing an application by an operational creditor.
Therefore, any operational creditor should be cautious and must observe the same where a demand notice under IBC is sent but returns undelivered, then they should try to effectively deliver the notice as per the laws laid down by the Court for an effective delivery of a demand notice.
To know more about the demand notice and other aspects related to demand notices under IB Code, please feel free to connect with our IB Code expertise law firm in Mumbai & Ahmedabad.
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