M/S WRITERS AND PUBLISHER PVT LTD vs A.K. MISHRA OFFICIAL

Dr D Y CHANDRACHUD, J.

1.The revival of Super Bazar was being monitored by this Court over several years. By an order dated 7 May 2008, this Court noted that three

bidders were identified by the Evaluation Committee; among them being M/s Writers and Publisher Pvt Ltd (WPL). This Court recorded that all the

Unions representing the workmen had agreed that the dues of the workers as on 31 December 2007 were Rs. 54.31 crores.Â

2.By an order dated 26 February 2009, this Court accepted the report of the Evaluation Committee which had recommended acceptance of the offer

made by WPL. Accordingly, the Official Liquidator (OL) and the Central Registrar, Multi State Cooperative Societies were directed to take steps to

revive Super Bazar. In a further order dated 13 August 2010, this Court observed thus :

“(ii) In terms of our order dated 7th May, 2008, an amount of Rs.54.31 crores, being arrears of wages upto 31st December, 2007, was directed to

be disbursed by the highest bidder. Rs.55 crores stands deposited by the highest bidder. The sum of Rs.20 crores out of Rs.55 crores which lies with

the Registry of the Supreme Court, will be disbursed by the Official Liquidator and the nominee of the Central Registrar Co-operative Societies in the

presence of one Union representative of each Union within four weeks from today. The representative of the highest bidder will also remain present

in the said meeting. It is made clear that the workers will sign the receipt of payment, which will be adjusted towards the arrears of Rs.54.31

crores.Â

(iii) As far as the balance amount is concerned, we are directing the highest bidder to file an affidavit containing an Undertaking that within a period of

eight weeks, from the date of constitution of the Board of Directors after the elections, the balance amount will be disbursed to the workers. This will

cover arrears of wages up to 31st December, 2007.â€​

3.Subsequently, in September 2015, an IA was filed on behalf of the Union of India stating that neither WPL nor the management of Super Bazar had

submitted a revival plan before the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies. As a result, the Super Bazar could not be revived in accordance with

the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act 2000.

4.Faced with this situation, on 29 March 2016, a two Judge Bench of this Court observed that despite earnest efforts made by the Court since the

acceptance of the bid of WPL, it was not possible to give effect to the terms of revival. It appears from the order of this Court that the Union of India

was associated in the preparation of the modalities by which WPL could be released from the arrangement. Accordingly, this Court observed as

follows :Â

“Despite earnest efforts made by this Court ever since the acceptance of the bid of M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd., and despite a series of

hearings in the matter ever since 2009, it came to be realised, that it would not be possible to give effect to the terms of revival. It is in the above view

of the matter, that this Court sought suggestions from the rival parties, how the arrangement could be terminated. It is in the above background, 4 that

the following motion bench order came to be passed on 23.02.2016:Â

“The bidder has suggested two alternative courses of action in a written note handed over to us in Court today. The above note is taken on record

and marked as AnnexureA. Mr. P.S. Narsimha, learned Additional Solicitor General representing the Union of India seeks a short adjournment so as

to enable him to obtain instructions in the matter. All other parties may likewise obtain instructions in the matter before the next date of hearing. Post

for hearing on 01.03.2016.â€​Â

On the issue, as to how and under what terms and conditions M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd., could be released from the arrangement, the parties

(consequent upon mutual negotiations), submitted a joint statement of the Government of India and the bidder â€" M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd.,

dated 03.03.2016. It seems that on re-consideration, there was a change of heart, at the hands of Government of India, which then submitted a revised

joint statement dated 05.03.2016. Learned counsel for the rival parties have assisted this Court, on the manner in which M/s Writers and Publishers

Ltd., should be released from the obligation of the instant arrangement. Having heard learned counsel, we are satisfied in recording, that M/s Writers

and Publishers Ltd. should be refunded the entire investment made by them, along with interest at the rate of 6% per annum (though it was suggested,

that the rate of interest could be at 9% per annum), subject to deduction of profits made during the period when the arrangement subsisted.â€​

5.The above order of this Court dated 29 March 2016 envisages that WPL would be refunded its “entire investment†together with interest at 6

per cent per annum. However, the amount invested was to be subject to a deduction of the profits made by WPL during the period when the

arrangement subsisted. Since WPL was to be refunded the entire investment made by it with interest, it was evident that the profits realised by it

during the subsistence of the arrangement would have to be deducted.Â

6.In order to give effect to the above directions, the order of this Court envisaged a process of verification by Controller and Auditor General of India

(CAG). The CAG was directed to nominate an auditor to verify the income and expenditure incurred by WPL and the profits earned from the Super

Bazar establishment. The determination by the auditor was required to be verified by CAG, upon which it would be binding upon by the parties

concerned. WPL was directed to handover all the movable and immovable properties of Super Bazar to the OL.Â

7.The role which was ascribed to CAG emerges from the following extract, from the order of this Court dated 29 March 2016 :

“In order to effectuate the refund referred to hereinabove 5 (to M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd.), we consider it just and appropriate to direct the

Comptroller and Auditor General of India, to nominate an Auditor, to verify the income and expenditure incurred by M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd.,

and also, the profits earned by it from the Super Bazar establishment, during the period under consideration. The determination so made by the

Auditor, will be verified by the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, whereupon, the same shall be binding on all the parties including

M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd. Needless to mention, that all interested parties shall have the liberty to appear before the nominated Auditor, and

canvass their respective claims.â€​

8.WPL was held to be entitled to the withdrawal of an amount of Rs. 14.84 crores deposited by it in the Registry of this Court and to a further sum of

Rs. 8.07 crores which was deposited with the Regional Commissioner, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Delhi together withÂ

interest. The above amounts were to be deducted from the principal amount payable to WPL, while refunding the payments due.Â

9.In pursuance of the directions issued in the order of this Court, CAG submitted its report dated 1 September 2017. WPL has filed its objections to

the report.Â

10.Certain aspects of the CAG report form the subject matter of some dispute. They are:Â

(i)Interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum on the share capital infused by WPL has been disallowed. WPL contends that this is expressly contrary

to the order dated 29 March 2016 by which its entire investment was to be returned together with interest at 6 per cent. According to WPL, the entire

investment would include the amount invested towards share capital. According to WPL, subscription towards share capital was only a methodology

by which the bid amount was to be brought in and utilized to discharge various dues in satisfaction of the orders of this Court. On the other hand. The

affidavit filed by CAG contains a defence of its view that interest should not be allowed on share capital. CAG has stated thus :Â

“The investment by M/s WPL was primarily in the nature of Share Capital, wherein share holders bear the profits and losses of a business. Share

Holders do not get interest on their investment made in the form of share capital. Further, if such a practice is to be followed then it should be made

applicable for other shareholders of Super Bazar too.â€​

(ii)The CAG report provides that the amount payable to WPL should be determined after adjustment of losses incurred by Super Bazar. WPL asserts

that this would be expressly contrary to the order of this Court dated 29 March 2016 under which CAG was not required to adjust losses but to only

deduct the profits which accrued in favour of WPL, while determining the amount refundable. There was, according to WPL, no direction for the

adjustment of losses. Moreover, CAG, in the view of WPL, has failed to notice that the so called losses in Super Bazar were not due to business but

due to : (i) an amount of Rs. 54.31 crores being paid to the workers as their past dues in compliance of the orders dated 7 May 2008 and 13 August

2010 of this Court; (ii) an amount of Rs. 31 crores being paid to the workmen towards three years’ salaries; and (iii) an amount of Rs. 15

crores paid towards arrears of property taxes, education cess and dues which had accrued even before possession was taken over by WPL;Â

11.While dealing with these objections, we must in fairness, advert to the fact that in the order dated 29 March 2016, CAG was required to nominate

an auditor to verify the income and expenditure incurred by WPL as well as the profits earned by it from the Super Bazar establishment during the

period under consideration. This determination of the auditor was to be verified by the office of the CAG upon which it would be binding on all parties

including WPL. In other words, the actual exercise required to be carried out by the auditor was to verify the income, expenditure and the profits

earned by WPL and it was this determination which would, subject to verification by the CAG, be final and binding. CAG has, however, proceeded on

the basis that WPL is not entitled to interest at 6 per cent per annum on share capital on the ground that a shareholder who participates in the profits

and losses of a business is not entitled to interest on share capital.Â

12.Now the order dated 29 March 2016 indicates that :Â

“…in the bid which was submitted by M/s Writers and Publishers Ltd, the infusion of funds stipulated, was to the tune of Rs.504 crores. The

break up thereof, for the revival of Super Bazar, was roughly as under:Â

Share Capital - Rs.102 croreÂ

Working Capital - Rs 276 croreÂ

Revival and Revamping - Rs 126 croreâ€​

All the above elements including share capital and working capital were part of the infusion of funds contemplated for the revival of Super Bazar.

Eventually, when the process of revival could not take place, this Court formulated directions for the exit of WPL. After due deliberation by all the

parties, including the Union government, this Court observed that WPL “should be refunded the entire investment made by them along with interest

at the rate of 6 per cent per annum..subject to deduction of profits made during the period when the arrangement subsistedâ€. WPL in terms of the

aforesaid direction is entitled to interest at 6 per cent on the entire investment made by it. Investment brought in by way of share capital, did fall within

the above mandate. It is part of the overall investment by WPL. The order of this Court envisages an exit for WPL. The order directs that there be a

deduction of profits made, since WPL was being compensated by way of interest on its investment. Consequently, it would be impermissible to

deny WPL the benefit of interest on its entire investment inclusive of share capital.Â

13.We are also of the view that the adjustment of losses incurred in Super Bazar and their deduction from the amount to be refunded to WPL is

contrary to the mandate of the order dated 29 March 2016. CAG was only required to deduct the profits which had accrued in favour of WPL

while determining the amount refundable to it. In its affidavit, CAG has proceeded on the general consideration that the term ‘profit’ represents

a revenue earned from business activity exceeding the expenses/costs and that a loss is “vice versaâ€. What this ignores however are the specific

terms of the directions issued by this Court which envisage that it was the profits earned by WPL from the Super Bazar establishment which were

to be deducted. Once WPL was allowed a return on its investment, the profits which it earned were required to be deducted. This part of the direction

does not contemplate that losses which accrued over the period were to be adjusted. We have also noted the submission of WPL that the loss

accrued not as a result of the business as such but due to payments which were required to be made to the workmen in pursuance of the directions

issued by this Court.Â

14.We are accordingly of the view that the report submitted by CAG needs to be corrected on the above counts namely;Â

(i)Denial of interest at 6 per cent on the entire investment of WPL including by way of share capital; and (ii) Adjustment of losses;   as

explained earlier.

15.WPL has instituted Contempt proceedings against the OL. In the reply filed by the OL, it has been stated that the determination of the income and

expenditure of WPL and the profits earned form the Super Bazar establishment was to be carried out by the auditor nominated by CAG which was to

be thereafter verified by CAG. The OL has submitted that in these circumstances, it would be inappropriate to contend that he has violated any part

of the directions of this Court. In pursuance of the order of this Court, the Director General of Audit nominated M/s SPMG for conducting an audit of

the accounts of Super Bazar. Time for the completion of the audit was extended by this Court on 21 November 2016 and 27 April 2017. The OL has

also set out the steps which have been taken in pursuance of the order of this Court for valuation and sale of the properties of Super Bazar. Having

regard to the contents of the said affidavit, we are not inclined to entertain the Petition for Contempt as against the OL.Â

16.However, we direct that all concerned shall now act in pursuance of the observations contained in this order and the interpretation placed on the

earlier directions dated 29 March 2016.Â

17.The Contempt Petition (Civil) Nos 1665-1666 of 2017 in I.A. Nos. 102103 of 2017 in Special Leave Petition (Civil) 8398-8399 of 2005 are

accordingly disposed of.   Â