Essar Steel insolvency: NCLAT says second round of bids by NuMetal, Vedanta are valid
FirstpostNew Delhi: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Friday ruled that Russia’s VTB Capital-backed NuMetal’s second bid for Essar Steel is eligible but the same by ArcelorMittal will qualify only if it clears the Rs 7,000 crore dues of firms it was previously associated within three days. NuMetal and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal-led ArcelorMittal had in February submitted separate bids to takeover Essar Steel, which lenders were auctioning to recover their Rs 49,000 crore defaulted loans. A two-member bench of NCLAT headed by Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya ruled that the first round bids were not eligible but NuMetal’s second bid submitted on 29 March after restructuring the shareholding was eligible. Commenting on the judgment, NuMetal spokesperson said: “This vindicates NuMetal’s conviction that they are an eligible bidder and has given a compelling offer to the creditors for the Essar Steel’s resolution plan under IBC.