Archive · 27 Oct 2025
Gujarat High Court Rebukes NCLT Over Recusal, Forum Shopping
The Gujarat High Court has ruled against the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in a case involving ArcelorMittal.
The court found that two NCLT benches in Ahmedabad wrongly stepped aside from the case after outside pressure, with the NCLT Delhi transferring the case to Mumbai as a result.
The court stated that judges should not be intimidated and cannot be influenced by the actions of either side of the case.
The High Court overturned the recusal decisions and the transfer, saying they were not done correctly and that the cases should stay in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat High Court criticized NCLT for recusal of judges due to pressure.
Court addressed a case involving ArcelorMittal and Essar Steel India Ltd.
NCLT Ahmedabad benches recused themselves, leading to case transfer to Mumbai.
The Court quashed recusal and transfer orders as illegal and unwarranted.
The Court said NCLT's actions could enable practices like forum shopping and bench hunting.
- Who
- Gujarat High Court
- What
- Quashed orders related to recusal and transfer of cases involving ArcelorMittal.
- When
- October 16
- Where
- Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi
- Why
- To address judicial overreach and prevent forum shopping.
- Court
- Gujarat High Court
- Case
- ArcelorMittal vs. NCLT
- NCLT Benches Involved
- Ahmedabad (I & II), Delhi, Mumbai
- Ruling Date
- October 16
- Recusal Dates
- Jan 9, Apr 23, Apr 24, 2024
- Transfer Order Dates
- June 6, 2024; Feb 10, 2025