Shareholder Rights - The Legal Chamber

The Supreme Court held that Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares (CRPS) represent an equity investment, not a financial debt under the IBC. Preference shareholders are not creditors, and redemption is contingent upon company profits under the Companies Act. Therefore, they cannot initiate insolvency proceedings under Section 7 of the IBC for non-redemption. Facts Of The Case: EPC Constructions India Limited (EPCC) held outstanding receivables from Matix Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited for construction work. In 2015, to help Matix meet lender-mandated debt-equity ratios, the parties agreed to convert ₹400 crores of dues into 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares (CRPS). Matix subsequently allotted CRPS worth ₹250 crores to EPCC. When the shares matured after three years, M...

The Supreme Court ruled that the NCLT has wide jurisdiction under Sections 397 and 398 of the Companies Act, 1956, to adjudicate on allegations of fraud, oppression, and mismanagement when integral to the complaint. It upheld that acts violating the Articles of Association and statutory provisions, including invalid share transfers and board meetings, constitute oppression, empowering the Tribunal to grant comprehensive relief. Facts Of The Case: The case involves Mrs. Shailja Krishna, a majority shareholder holding over 98% of a private company, and her husband, Mr. Ved Krishna. In December 2010, during a strained marital relationship, Mrs. Krishna allegedly resigned from her directorship and executed a gift deed transferring her entire shareholding to her mother-in-law. She contended s...