In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has upheld the supremacy of the “Committee of Creditors” comprising the Financial Creditors of the bankrupt firms over the distribution of claims.
In doing so, the apex court has given more weight to the financial creditors than operational creditors.
It has ruled that the two sets set of creditors will be treated ‘differently’ during the insolvency proceedings and during taking over of a debt-ridden firm by another company.
Background
The Ahmedabad bench of National Company Law Tribunal had in March 2019 approved global steel-giant Arcelor Mittal’s bid for Essar Steel.
Arcelor Mittal’s offer did not cover operational creditors to Essar Steel.