After Initiation Of Moratorium U/S 14 Of IBC, No Assessment Proceedings Can Be Continued By EPFO: NCLAT
Live LawThe NCLAT New Delhi Bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Mr. Barun Mitra and Mr. Arun Baroka has held that after initiation of moratorium under Section 14, sub-section, no assessment proceedings can be continued by the EPFO. On the other hand it is the case of the respondent that no claim was filed by the Appellant before the Plan was approved by the CoC and the assessment proceedings were carried out and final order under Section 7A of the EPF & MP Act was passed during the CIRP is in violation of the moratorium and that post approval of Resolution Plan by the CoC, no claim can be considered by the RP. In view of the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Rejendra K. Bhutta, it is clear that no proceeding can continue after imposition of moratorium, which has effect of depleting the assets of the CD or creating new liabilities on the CD, since the object or purpose of IBC is to resolve the CD.” In Sundresh Bhatt, Liquidator of ABG Shipyard v. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, while examining the fate of demand notices issued under Customs Acts after initiation of the CIRP, the Supreme Court held that “the demand notices to seek enforcement of custom dues during the moratorium period would clearly violate the provisions of Sections 14 or 33 of the IBC, as the case may be. However, while looking to the expression used in Section 14, assessment proceedings before the EPFO, cannot be continued after initiation of CIRP.” The tribunal concluded that when the claim on the basis of assessment, which has been made subsequent to initiation of moratorium is hit by Section 14, sub-section of the IBC, we are of the view that no such claim can be admitted in the CIRP.