CBI To Investigate Bribe Demanded by Lawyers for Favourable NCLT Order
Sahyaja MS (Bar  and  Bench) 12 March 2025
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently conducted a search at the home of a retired National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) member in connection with a case where a law firm solicited bribes from a party to obtain a favourable order, Times of India reported.
 
Bar & Bench has accessed the first information report (FIR) filed in the case.
 
The case centres around a complaint filed by a director of a private investment firm against lawyers who allegedly offered him a favourable tribunal decision in exchange for a substantial bribe.
 
According to the complaint dated 27 January 2025, the director alleged that a lawyer reached out to him, claiming close ties with an NCLT Mumbai member. The individual reportedly assured him that a favourable judgment in an ongoing insolvency case could be secured for a payment of Rs1.5 crore. After negotiations, the bribe amount was reduced to Rs1 crore.
 
The verification of the complaint was conducted by CBI officials on 28th and 29th January and 3rd and 4 February 2025, in the presence of independent witnesses. Findings confirmed that the complainant’s firm had filed a petition under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) against another company before the NCLT Mumbai. The Tribunal had completed hearings and reserved its order on 29 August 2024. However, the order had not yet been passed.
 
Investigation revealed that the lawyer claiming to be the corporate advisory firm’s representative, in collusion with an associate, demanded the bribe under the pretext of "fees". Despite the complainant’s firm never engaging their services for legal representation, the individuals allegedly conspired to influence tribunal members by corrupt means.
 
Further inquiries found that an advance of 50% was initially requested but was later negotiated down to 20%, amounting to Rs20 lakh. The amount was deposited into a bank account linked to the corporate advisory firm on 4 February 2025.
 
The remaining Rs80 lakh was to be paid in cash on the day of the final order’s pronouncement, which was anticipated before 14 February 2025.
 
The case has been registered under Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 7-A (Taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
 
Courtesy: Bar & Bench
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