The Madras High Court dismissed two petitions praying for the establishment of regional benches of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The order was passed by a Bench of Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad. One of the petitions filed by a Chartered Accountant had sought the establishment of a Regional Bench of NCLAT at Chennai, in view of the pathetic situation being faced by litigants in accessing the NCLAT at New Delhi. The matter had initially come up before the fourth Bench headed by Justice M Sathyanarayanan. However, it was posted before the third Bench after being informed that another petition had been filed challenging relevant NCLT Rules as well. Both petitions were tagged together. It was argued before the third Bench that the need to establish regional benches assumes particular significance given that the NCLAT has wrested jurisdiction which previously lay with the High Courts of each state. However, during the hearing, the Court had orally observed that the grievances presented could perhaps be resolved by submitting representations to the Government.
Madras High Court dismisses plea for establishment of Regional Benches of NCLAT
