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The Phoenix Mills Ltd. M&A Activity 2021

Dec 22, 2021

60675_rns_2021-12-22_437f39f3-7573-48c5-9488-107142895d05.pdf

M&A Activity

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Corp. Office: Shree Laxmi Woolen Mills Estate, 2nd Floor, R.R. Hosiery, Off Dr. E. Moses Rd. Mahalaxmi, Mumbai - 400 011 Tel: (022) 3001 6600 Fax : (022) 3001 6601 CIN No. : L17100MH1905PLC000200

December 22, 2021

BSE Limited National Stock Exchange of India Limited Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers Exchange Plaza, Dalal Street, Fort, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai- 400 001 Mumbai- 400051 Security code: 503100 Symbol: PHOENIXLTD

Dear Sirs/Madam,

Sub: Intimation under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure - Requirements) Regulations, 2015 Sanction of Scheme of Merger by Absorption of Phoenix Hospitality Company Private Limited (‘the Transferor Company’) with The Phoenix Mills Limited (‘the Transferee Company’) and their respective shareholders

This is to inform you that the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench (‘NCLT’), has approved the Scheme of Merger by Absorption of Phoenix Hospitality Company Private Limited (‘the Transferor Company’) with The Phoenix Mills Limited (‘the Transferee Company’) and their respective shareholders (‘the Scheme’) under the provisions of Sections 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Rules framed thereunder.

The order sanctioning the Scheme as uploaded on the Hon’ble NCLT portal is enclosed herewith. A certified true copy of the Order of Hon’ble NCLT is awaited.

We request you to kindly take the same on record.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

for The Phoenix Mills Limited

GAJENDRA Digitally signed by GAJENDRA MEWARA MEWARA Date: 2021.12.22 19:09:13 +05'30' Gajendra Mewara Company Secretary

Encl : Copy of Order

Regd. Office : The Phoenix Mills Ltd., 462 Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. Tel : (022) 2496 4307 / 8 / 9 Fax : (022) 2493 8388 E-mail : [email protected] www.thephoenixmills.com

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH

C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

In the matter of the Companies Act, 2013;

And

In the matter of Sections 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and rules made thereunder;

And

In the matter of Scheme of Merger by Absorption of Phoenix Hospitality Company Private Limited (“the Transferor Company”)

With

The Phoenix Mills Limited (‘the Transferee Company”).

Phoenix Hospitality Company Private

Limited , a company incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, having its registered office at Phoenix Mills Premises, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai – 400 013

CIN No. U55209MH2006PTC161066

…Petitioner Company No. 1 /Transferor Company in C.P.(CAA)/83/MB/2021

The Phoenix Mills Limited , a company

registered under Act No. VI of 1882 of

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

the Legislative Council of India with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies having its registered office at 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai – 400 013 CIN No. L17100MH1905PLC000200

…Petitioner Company No. 2 /Transferee Company C.P.(CAA)/84/MB/2021

Order delivered on 21.12.2021

Coram:

Hon’ble Member (Judicial) : Justice P. N. Deshmukh (Retd.) Hon’ble Member (Judicial) : Mr. Shyam Babu Gautam

Appearances:

For the Petitioners(s):

Mr. Gauraj Shah Counsel a/w Mr. Karshil Shah and Mr. Pranav Monani, Advocates i/b M/s. Kanga and Company, Advocates for Petitioners.

For Regional Director: Ms. Rupa Sutar, Deputy Registrar

ORDER

Per: Shyam Babu Gautam, Member

  1. This bench is convened by video conference today i.e. 11[th] November 2021.

Page 2 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

  1. Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner Companies. No objector has come before the Tribunal to oppose the Petition and nor any party has controverted any averments made in the Petition.

  2. The sanction of this Tribunal is sought under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act, 2013, to a Scheme of Merger by Absorption of Phoenix Hospitality Company Private Limited, the Transferor Company with The Phoenix Mills Limited, the Transferee Company.

  3. The Transferor Company is engaged in the activity of real estate development. The Transferee Company is engaged in mixed use retail-led real estate development activities on a Pan-India basis. The equity shares and preference shares of the Transferee Company are listed on the BSE Limited (" BSE ") and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (" NSE ").

  4. The Learned Counsel for the Petitioner Companies states that the Scheme is presented under Section 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules and regulations made thereunder, for the Scheme of Merger by Absorption involving transfer of all assets and liabilities of Phoenix Hospitality Company Private Limited to The Phoenix Mills Limited.

  5. The Learned Counsel for the Petitioner Companies further submits the Introduction and Rationale for the Scheme (Merger) is as follows: -

  6. a. The proposed Amalgamation will lead to a simplified corporate structure since it will result in the combined businesses of the Petitioner Companies being carried on more economically, efficiently and beneficially and the arrangement would be in

Page 3 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

the interest of both the Petitioner Companies and their shareholders as the businesses carried on by both the Petitioner Companies are under common management/shareholders.

  • b. The proposed amalgamation would strengthen the Management of the Transferee Company effectively because of avoidance and elimination of unnecessary duplication of time, costs and expenses, incurred for administration and operations of both the Petitioner Companies separately and would result in better utlilization of resources and assets and synergies of operations with integration of management and other expertise.

  • c. The proposed amalgamation will also lead to reduction in compliance requirement and reduction in the intermediate holding structure in accordance with Section 2(87) of Companies Act, 2013 thereby providing greater operation flexibility in future. Further, even the creditors of the Transferee Company will not be affected by the Scheme since the Transferor Company does not have any external liabilities, and post the amalgamation, the assets of the Transferee Company would continue to be more than its liabilities.

  • The Counsel for the Petitioner Companies submits that the Board of Directors of both the Petitioner Companies in their respective meetings held on August 7, 2019 have approved the Scheme of Amalgamation with the Appointed Date as 1[st] April, 2019, the copies of the Board resolutions are annexed to their respective Company Scheme Petition.

  • The Learned Counsel for the Petitioner Companies submits that the Company Scheme Petitions are filed in consonance with sections 230 to

Page 4 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

232 of the Companies Act, 2013 along with the Orders passed in the connected Company Scheme Application Nos. C.A.(C.A.A.)/4101 and 4075/MB/2019 by this Tribunal.

  1. By Order dated 4[th] May 2020 passed by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench in C.A.(CAA)/4101/MB/2019, the meetings of Equity Shareholders of the Transferor Company was dispensed with in view of the fact that, all the Equity Shareholders of the Transferor Company had provided their consent to the Scheme and for dispensing with the holding and convening of the meeting by way of consent affidavits which were produced before this Tribunal.

  2. The Learned Counsel further states that pursuant to the directions contained in the said Order dated 4[th] May 2020, meeting of the Secured Creditors of Transferor Company was not required to be held as there were no secured creditors in the Transferor Company.

  3. The Learned Counsel further states that pursuant to the directions contained in the said Order dated 4[th] May 2020 the meeting of the Unsecured Creditors of the Transferor Company was dispensed with in view of the undertaking that the Transferor Company would serve individual notices to all its Unsecured Creditors. The Transferor Company has on 15[th] December 2020 served individual notices to all its Unsecured Creditors through speed post.

  4. The Learned Counsel for the Petitioner Companies further states that pursuant to an Order dated 17th March 2021 passed by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench in C.A. 1022 of 2020 in C.A.(CAA)/4075/MB/2019 a meeting of the Equity Shareholders of the

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Transferee Company was held on 30th April, 2021 at 11:00 am through video conferencing or other audio visual means mode, as per applicable operating procedures referred to in Circular No.14/2020 dated April 8, 2020 read with Circular Nos. 17 /2020 dated April 13, 2020, 22/2020 dated June 15, 2020 and 33/2020 dated September 28, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India and the requisite quorum was present and the Scheme of Amalgamation by Absorption was approved with the requisite majority by the Equity Shareholders without any modifications.

  1. The Learned Counsel for the Petitioner Companies also states that the Chairperson appointed for the meeting of the Transferee Company has filed his affidavit verifying his report on Monday, 10th Day of May, 2021 which is annexed to the Company Scheme Petition filed by the Transferee Company.

  2. The Learned Counsel further states that pursuant to the directions contained in the said Order 4th May 2020 the meeting of the Secured Creditors of Transferee Company was dispensed with in view of the undertaking that the Transferee would serve individual notices to all its Secured Creditors. The Transferee Company has on 5th April 2021 served individual notices to all its Secured Creditors through speed post.

  3. The Learned Counsel further states that pursuant to the directions contained in the said Order dated 4th May 2020 the meeting of the Unsecured Creditors of the Transferee Company was dispensed with in view of the undertaking that the Transferee Company would serve individual notices to all their Unsecured Creditors. The Transferee

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Company has on 5th April 2021 served individual notices to all its Unsecured Creditors through speed post.

  1. The Counsel appearing on behalf of the Petitioner Companies further states that the Petitioner Companies have complied with all the requirements as per the directions of this Tribunal and they have filed necessary affidavits of compliance in this Tribunal. Moreover, the Petitioner Companies, through their Counsel, undertake to comply with all statutory requirements if any, as required under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules made there under whichever is applicable. The said undertakings given by the Petitioner Companies are accepted.

  2. Regional Director (Western Region), Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Mumbai, has filed his report dated July 30, 2021 inter alia stating therein that save and except as stated in paragraph IV of the said report, it appears that the Scheme is not prejudicial to the interest of shareholders and public. In response to the observations made by the Regional Director, the Petitioner Companies have filed their combined affidavit dated 30[th] September, 2021. The observations of the Regional Director and the Petitioner Companies’ response to the said observations are summarised below:

Sl.
No.
(Col.
1)
RD Observation via
RD Report dated 30th
July, 2021
(Column 2)
Reply Via Consolidated RD Reply dated
30th September, 2021
(Column 3)
1 In compliance of AS-14
(IND
AS-103),
the
As far as the observations made in paragraph
IV (a) of the Report of Regional Director and

Page 7 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL,

MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Transferee Companies
shall
pass
such
accounting
entries
which are necessary in
connection
with
the
scheme to comply with
other
applicable
Accounting Standards
such as AS-5(IND AS-
8) etc
reproduced hereinabove are concerned, the
Petitioner Companies being the Transferor
Company and the Transferee company
undertake that they shall pass necessary
accounting entries in connection with the
Scheme as per AS -14 & IND AS-103
respectively, as well as comply with other
applicable Accounting Standards to the
extent applicable.
2 The Petitioners under
provisions of section
230(5)
of
the
Companies Act, 2013
have to serve notices to
concerned
authorities
which are likely to be
affected
by
Amalgamation.
Further, the approval of
the scheme by this
Hon'ble Tribunal may
not
deter
such
authorities to deal with
any of the issues arising
after giving effect to the
scheme. The decision
of such Authorities is
As far as the observations of the Regional
Director, as stated in paragraph IV (b) of the
report and reproduced hereinabove are
concerned, the Petitioner Companies submit
that notices under provisions of Section
230(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 have
been
served
upon
(i)
the
Central
Government through the office of the
Regional
Director,
Western
Region,
Mumbai, (ii) the Registrar of Companies,
Maharashtra,
Mumbai,
(iii)
concerned
Income Tax Authority within whose
jurisdiction
the
Petitioner
Companies
assessments are made, with a direction that
they may submit their representations, if
any, within a period of thirty days from the
date of receipt of such notice to the Hon’ble
Tribunal with a copy of such representations

Page 8 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021
CONNECTED WITH
C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019
binding
on
the
Petitioner Company(s).
served simultaneously upon the Petitioner
Companies, failing which, it shall be
presumed that the authorities have no
representations to make on the proposals.
The Petitioner Companies further undertake
that the approval of the Scheme by this
Tribunal will not deter any authorities to
deal with any of the issues arising after
giving effect to the scheme and that such
issues arising out of the Scheme will be met
and answered in accordance with law. The
decision of the authorities will be binding on
the Petitioner Companies.
3 The Hon’ble NCLT
may kindly direct to the
Petitioners to file an
undertaking
to
the
extent that the Scheme
enclosed
to
the
Company Application
and
the
Scheme
enclosed
to
the
Company Petition are
one & same and there is
no
discrepancy
or
deviation.
As far as the observations of the Regional
Director, as stated in paragraph IV (c) of the
report and reproduced hereinabove are
concerned,
The
Petitioner
Companies
hereby confirm that the scheme enclosed to
the Company Petition and submitted to the
Hon’ble NCLT is one and the same and there
is no discrepancy or deviation.

Page 9 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL,

MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

4 As per Definition of the Scheme, Appointed Date” means the date from which the provisions of the Scheme shall become operational, i.e. opening of business hours on 1st April 2019 or such other date as may be mutually agreed upon by the respective Board of Directors of PHCPL and PML with the approval of the NCLT or such other date as may be fixed by the NCLT while sanctioning the Scheme; “Effective Date” ” or “upon the Scheme becoming effective” or “upon coming into effect of this Scheme” means the last date on which the certified true copies of the Orders of

As far as the observations of the Regional Director, as stated in paragraph IV (d) of the report and reproduced hereinabove are concerned, the Petitioner Companies hereby submit that the Appointed date i.e. the date from which the provisions of the scheme of amalgamation shall become operational, shall be April 1, 2019 or such other date as may be directed by the NCLT. The Appointed Date as fixed by the Companies and mentioned in the scheme of amalgamation is in compliance with the provisions of Section 232(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and circular no. F. No. 7 /12/2019/CL-l dated 21.08.2019 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The Petitioner Companies undertake to comply with the requirement of circular no. F. No. 7 /12/2019/CL-l dated 21.08.2019 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs with respect to fixation of “Appointed Date’.

Page 10 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

the NCLT sanctioning this Scheme are filed by PHCPL and PML with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra, Mumbai.

Record Date” means
the date to be fixed by
the Board of Directors
of PML, for the purpose
of
issue
of
Equity
Shares of PML to the
equity shareholders of
PHCPL other than PML
as contemplated under
this Scheme.
It is submitted that
Section 232(6) of the
Companies Act, 2013
states that the scheme
under this section shall
clearly
indicate
an
appointed date from
which
it
shall
be
effective
and
the
scheme shall be deemed

Page 11 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

to be effective from
such date and not at a
date subsequent to the
appointed date. Further,
the Petitioners may be
asked to comply with
the
requirements
as
clarified vide circular
no.
F.
No.
7/12/2019/CL-I
dated
21.08.2019 issued by
the
Ministry
of
Corporate Affairs.
5 Petitioner
Company
have to undertake to
comply with section
232(3)(i) of Companies
Act, 2013, where the
transferor company is
dissolved, the fee, if
any,
paid
by
the
transferor company on
its authorised capital
shall be set-off against
any fees payable by the
transferee company on
its authorised capital
subsequent
to
the
As far as the observations of the Regional
Director, as stated in paragraph IV (e) of the
report and reproduced hereinabove are
concerned, the Transferee Company hereby
undertakes to comply with provisions of
Section 232(3)(i) of Companies Act, 2013
i.e. the fee, if any, paid by the Transferor
company on its authorised capital shall be
set-off against any fees payable by the
Transferee company on its authorized Share
Capital subsequent to the amalgamation.

Page 12 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL,

MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

amalgamation
and
therefore, petitioners to
affirm that they comply
the provisions of the
section.
6 As per Clause 15 of the
Scheme,
Petitioner
Companies
have
to
undertake
that
the
surplus shall be credited
to
Capital
Reserve
Account arising out of
amalgamation
and
deficits shall be debited
to Goodwill Account.
Further
Petitioner
Companies
have
to
undertake that reserves
shall not be available
for
distribution
of
dividend. regulators or
authorities
(The
Securities
and
Exchange
Board
of
India, Bombay Stock
Exchange Limited and
National
Stock
Exchange
of
India
As far as the observations of the Regional
Director, as stated in paragraph IV (f) of the
report and reproduced hereinabove are
concerned, the Transferee Company hereby
undertakes that the surplus or deficits, if any
arising out of amalgamation shall be credited
to Capital Reserve Account or debited to
Goodwill Account, as the case may be, in
accordance with the provisions of the
Scheme.

Page 13 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL,

MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

and/or pass appropriate
orders/ orders as deem
fit;
7 ROC, Mumbai Report
dated 09.07.2021 has
interalia mentioned that
there
are
no
prosecution,
no
technical scrutiny, no
inquiry, no inspection
and
one
complaints
pending
against
Petitioner Companies.
Further
mentioned
that:-
1.
Authorized and
paid up share capital of
Transferee
Company
does not match with the
Scheme.
2.
One complaint is
pending
against
transferee company by
secretary, phoenix mall
apartment
residence
association, Velachery
as far as the observations of the Regional
Director, as stated in paragraph IV (g) of the
report and reproduced hereinabove are
concerned, the Petitioner Companies hereby
submit the following in respect of the
observations
made
by
Registrar
of
Companies in its Report :
(i) The Authorised share Capital of the
Transferee Company as mentioned in the
Scheme of Amalgamation is the same and
there has been no change since the filing of
the scheme and petitions with the Tribunal.
(ii) The paid up share capital of the
Transferee
Company
has
increased
subsequent to the filing of the scheme with
Hon’ble NCLT due to the issue and
allotment of shares by the Transferee
Company to Qualified Institutional Buyers
by way of Qualified institutional placement
(‘QIP’) and various allotment of shares done
by the Transferee Company upon exercise of
stock options by employees. The details of

Page 14 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Chennai
in
the
complaint it is alleged
that the illegal business
activities in violation
building construction.
3.
Transferee
Company has 14 open
charges.
4.
The Transferee
Company is a listed
company.
5.
Interest of the
Creditors
shall
be
protected.
Hon’ble Tribunal may
consider
the
observations
pointed
out by ROC, Mumbai in
their report and decide
the matter on merits.
the capital evolution since April 01, 2019 to
till date is as follows:
the capital evolution since April 01, 2019 to
till date is as follows:
the capital evolution since April 01, 2019 to
till date is as follows:
Particular
s
No. of Shares -Paid
up
Capital-
Paid
up
Capital as
on
1st
April,
2019
15,32,89,801 30,65,79,602
Allotment
of Shares
by way of
QIP
(August
22, 2020)
1,81,81,818 3,63,63,636
Allotment
of shares
pursuant
to
exercise
of
stock
options by
employee
s
(April
01, 2019
to
Septembe
5,07,807 10,15,614

Page 15 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH

C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

r
15,
2021)
17,19,79,426 34,39,58,852
(iii) The Transferee Company has not been
served with copy of any complaint filed by
secretary, phoenix mall apartment residence
association, Velachery Chennai with ROC,
against the Transferee Company. Since the
complaint is filed against the Transferee
Company, it does not have any bearing on
the operations of Transferor Company. The
Phoenix Mills Limited, the Transferee
Company shall continue to be in operation
after the amalgamation of Transferor
company, therefore it shall look into it
suitably and address the matter in due course
of time.
(iv) There are no borrowings availed of by
Transferor Company for which any charge
has been created and filed. Transferee
Company shall file the forms for satisfaction
of charges as and when the borrowings
availed of by the Transferee Company are
paid off. The Transferee Company had
issued notices to its Secured Creditors as
well as unsecured creditors as required under

Page 16 of 25

IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021
CONNECTED WITH
C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019
Section 230 (3) of the Companies Act, 2013
through Speed Post with a direction to
submit their representations, if any, to the
Tribunal within a period of 30 (thirty) days
from the date of receipt of such notice. The
Transferee Company has not received any
representation from any of its Secured
Creditors or Unsecured Creditors till date.
8. Since, the Company is
listed,
Petitioner
Company
to
clarify
whether the transferee
company has convened
separate
meeting
of
public
shareholders
(other than promotors)
as required under SEBI,
LODR
requirement
since shareholding of
promotors is increased
due to the merger.
We say that, as far as the observations of the
Regional Director, as stated in paragraph IV
(h) of the report and reproduced hereinabove
are
concerned,
Circular
No.
CFD/DIL3/CIR/2017/21 dated March 10,
2017, as amended from time to time, issued
by the Securities and Exchange Board of
India provides that in the event additional
shares are allotted to Promoter / Promoter
Group, Related Parties of Promoter /
Promoter Group, Associates of Promoter /
Promoter Group, Subsidiary/(s) of Promoter
/ Promoter Group of the listed entity, the
Scheme of arrangement shall be acted upon
only if the votes cast by the public
shareholders in favour of the proposal are
more than the number of votes cast by the
public shareholders against it.
The Transferee Company has held a Meeting
of the Equity Shareholders of the Company

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on 30th April, 2021 through Video Conferencing / Other Audio Visual Means pursuant to the order of Hon’ble NCLT vide its order dated March 17, 2021. In compliance with the provisions of (i) Section 230(4) read with Sections 108 of the Companies Act, 2013; (ii) Rule 6(3)(xi) and Rule 9 of the Companies (Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations) Rules, 2016; (iii) Rule 20 and other applicable provisions of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014; (iv) Secretarial Standards – 2 on General Meetings issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India; (v) Regulation 44 and other applicable provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and (vi) Securities and Exchange Board of India Circular dated March 10, 2017 bearing reference No. CFD/DIL3/CIR/2017/21, as amended from time to time, the Transferee Company had provided to its Equity Shareholders the facility to cast their votes electronically on the Resolution considered at the Meeting either by (i) remote e-voting prior the Meeting (by using the electronic voting

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

platform provided by CDSL) or (ii) e-voting
during the Meeting.
The Scrutinizer appointed to scrutinize the
voting process, submitted a combined
Report on the Results of the remote e-voting
and e-voting at the Meeting held on April 30,
2021. 15. Based on the Report of the
Scrutinizer, the resolution as set out in the
Notice of Meeting i.e. approving the Scheme
of Amalgamation (Merger by Absorption) of
Phoenix
Hospitality
Company
Private
Limited (‘Transferor Company’) with The
Phoenix
Mills
Limited
(‘Transferee
Company’)
and
their
respective
shareholders, was approved by the equity
Shareholders by the requisite majority i.e. in
the number holding three-fourths in value as
per the provisions of Sections 230 to 232 of
the Act and also in terms of provisions of
SEBI Circular No. CFD/DIL3/CIR/2017/21
dated March 10, 2017, as amended from
time to time i.e. number of votes cast by the
Public Shareholders of the Transferee
Company in favour of the Resolution are
more than the number of votes cast by the
Public Shareholders against the Resolution.
We say that on 24th December 2020 the
Office of the Assistant Commissioner of

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Income Tax, Circle- 8(2)(1) filed a
representation with the Hon’ble NCLT with
a copy to Phoenix Hospitality Company
Private Limited, the Transferor Company
herein. The Income Tax Department has in
its aforesaid representation and more
particularly in para 4 thereof observed the
following :
it is clear that all pending proceedings
against the demerged Company shall be
continued against the Resulting Company.
Therefore, the Scheme should be without
prejudice to the rights of the Income Tax
Department and the Income Tax Department
is free to proceed against the Resulting
Company for all its proceedings.
At the moment this Scheme is not being
examined with reference to the taxation
aspect vis-à-vis other such scheme if any. In
future, if it is discovered that this scheme or
similar such schemes are in any way acting
as
a
device
for
tax-avoidance
then
department will be at liberty to initiate the
appropriate course of action as per law.
The Income tax Department will be free to
examine the aspect of any tax payable as a
result of the Scheme and in case it is found

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

that the Scheme of arrangement ultimately
results in tax avoidance or is not in
accordance
to
the
merger/demerger
provisions of the Income Tax Act then the
Department will be at liberty to initiate the
appropriate course of action as per law.
It is further requested that the rights of the
Income Tax Department should remain
intact to take out appropriate proceedings
regarding raising of any tax demand against
the demerged Company at any further date
and these rights should not be adversely
affected in view of the sanction of the
scheme.
In view of the representations made by the
Income Tax Department in its letter dated
24th December 2020, we repeat what
representation is stated by us in para 5
hereinabove that the approval of the Scheme
by this Tribunal will not deter any
authorities to deal with any of the issues
arising after giving effect to the scheme and
that such issues arising out of the Scheme
will be met and answered in accordance with
law. The decision of the authorities will be
binding on the Petitioner Companies and
that the Income tax Department will be free

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

to examine the aspect of any tax payable as a result of the Scheme.

  1. The observations made by the Regional Director have been explained in Column 2 of table provided in Para 17 above. The clarifications and undertakings given by the Petitioner Companies have been explained in Column 3 of the table provided in Para 17 above. Further, with respect to the response of the Petitioner Companies to the observation made by Regional Director in para IV (a) to (h) in its Report, the Regional Director vide his supplementary report dated 12th October 2021 in para 3 and 4 has stated that as regards the complaint relating to illegal business activities in violation of building construction, the Petitioner Company to state on affidavit its reply about the said allegation and the Petitioner Company to also state on Affidavit that it has complied with all applicable SEBI rules and regulations as a listed entity.

  2. The Transferee Company vide its Affidavit dated 20th October 2021 to the Regional Director’s Supplementary Report dated 12th October 2021 has stated that the Transferee Company vide its affidavit dated 30th September, 2021 submitted to this Tribunal, had stated that the Transferee Company had not been served with copy of the complaint filed by the alleged Secretary, Phoenix Mall Apartment Residence Association, Velachery Chennai, with ROC against the Transferee Company. It was also stated that since the complaint was filed against the Transferee Company, the same does not have any bearing on the operations of Transferor Company and the Transferee Company shall continue to be in operation after the amalgamation of the Transferor Company into the

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Transferee Company, therefore it shall look into the matter suitably and address it in due course of time.

  1. With further reference to para 3 of the Regional Director’s Supplementary Report, I state that the said complaint has not been filed by and on behalf of Phoenix Mall Apartments Resident Association as is claimed in the said complaint. An anonymous letter purportedly written by Phoenix Mall Apartments Resident Association was circulated to the government/High Court Offices and other officials. The President of The Crest Residents Welfare Association – Velachery, on behalf of The Crest Residents Welfare Associations – Velachery vide his letter dated 14th June, 2019 submitted to Police Authorities has clarified that the name of the Association is – The Crest Residents Welfare Associations – Velachery and not as is written in the complaint letter and the same has been misused. Further, the said letter dated 14th June, 2019 also states that no such complaint has been filed by the said Resident Association and the contents of said letter are not factual. A copy of the said letter dated 14th June, 2019 sent by The Crest Residents Welfare Associations – Velachery to Police Authorities is annexed to the said Affidavit dated 20th October 2021.

  2. It was further stated in the said Affidavit dated 20th October 2021that the contents of said Letter are not factual and the complaint has been filed by someone anonymously with a mischievous and fraudulent intent and instituted without any merit or grounds. It was submitted that the said referred complaint is against the Transferee Company and the said company is surviving Company and will remain in existence after giving effect to the said Scheme and will address the issue in normal course of time when it will deal with the same appropriately. So far as the observations made in paragraph 4 of the Supplementary Report of the

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

Regional Director are concerned, the Transferee Company in its said reply dated 20th October 2021 submitted that it has complied with and will comply with all the applicable SEBI Rules and Regulations from time to time in connection with the present Scheme as a listed entity. The authorized representative Ms. Rupa Sutar, Dy. ROC appeared for the RD (West Region) has also conveyed her No Objection.

  1. The Official Liquidator has filed his report dated 22nd July 2021, stating therein that, the affairs of Transferor Company have been conducted in a proper manner.

  2. From the material on record, the Scheme appears to be fair and reasonable and does not violate any provisions of law and is not contrary to public policy or public interest.

  3. Since all the requisite statutory compliances have been fulfilled, C.P. (CAA)/83 and 84/MB/2021 have been made absolute in terms of prayer of the respective Petitions mentioned therein.

  4. The Petitioner Companies are directed to file a copy of this order along with a copy of the Scheme with the concerned Registrar of Companies, electronically, along with E-Form INC-28, in addition to the physical copy, within 30 days from the date of receipt of order duly certified by the Deputy/Assistant Registrar, of the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench.

  5. The Petitioner Companies to lodge a copy of this order duly certified by the Deputy/Assistant Registrar of the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench, along with a copy of the Scheme of Merger with the

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IN THE NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI BENCH, COURT-II

C.P. (CAA)/83 & 84/MB/2021 CONNECTED WITH C.A. (CAA)/4101 & 4075/MB/2019

concerned Superintendent of Stamps, for the purpose of adjudication of stamp duty payable, if any, on the same within 60 days from the date of receipt of the certified true copy of the order.

  1. All concerned Regulatory authorities to act on a copy of this order duly certified by the Deputy/Assistant Registrar, National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench along with Scheme.

  2. The Scheme of Merger by Absorption is sanctioned hereby, and the appointed date of the Scheme of Merger by Absorption is 1st day of April, 2019 as defined the Scheme.

  3. Ordered accordingly.

Sd/-

Sd/-

SHYAM BABU GAUTAM JUSTICE P. N. DESHMUKH (RETD.) MEMBER (TECHNICAL) MEMBER (JUDICIAL) 21.12.2021 SAM

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