Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Supreme Court seeks tribunal upgrade plans and demands compliance with its requests
The Supreme Court directed the heads of the National Company Law Tribunal and its appeals body to submit plans for buildings, equipment and staff within four weeks.
The court also asked the Centre to meet tribunal leaders and lawyers to identify priorities.
The move follows reports of serious problems, including two floors closed at the NCLT’s main bench and 18 benches holding only half-day sittings because of too few members.
In a separate case, the Supreme Court said requests it makes to tribunals must be treated as binding directions.
The judges were responding to the NCLAT’s failure to hear an appeal as requested, while the NCLT admitted the company into insolvency proceedings.
The court has blocked the formation of a creditors’ committee for now and directed the NCLAT to explain the delay; the next hearing is set for November 19.
Together, the actions address concerns about tribunal capacity and whether court directions are being followed.
The Supreme Court directed the NCLAT and NCLT presidents to submit proposals on infrastructure, buildings and staffing within four weeks.
The Court also said that requests it makes to courts and tribunals must be treated as binding directions.
It warned that non-compliance would be viewed very seriously, after the NCLAT did not hear a matter as requested.
The infrastructure directions followed reports of poor conditions at the NCLT Principal Bench and staffing shortages at tribunal benches.
In the separate NCLAT matter, the Court restrained the formation of a committee of creditors while seeking an explanation for the delay.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the presidents of the NCLAT and NCLT, and the Union government.
- What
- The Court ordered tribunal upgrade proposals and said its requests to courts and tribunals must be treated as directions.
- When
- October 29, 2026. The Court’s earlier request for a hearing in the NCLAT matter was made on July 15.
- Where
- India. The proceedings concerned the NCLAT and NCLT, including the NCLT Principal Bench.
- Why
- The Court cited infrastructure and staffing needs at the tribunals, and the NCLAT’s failure to hear a matter despite a specific request.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Supreme Court asked the NCLAT to ensure the matter was heard on July 23.
The requested NCLAT hearing date passed without the appeal being heard, according to the applicants.
The Supreme Court considered the matter after being informed that the NCLAT had not heard the appeal and the NCLT had admitted the company into insolvency.
The Supreme Court directed the NCLAT and NCLT presidents to submit infrastructure and staffing proposals within four weeks.
The NCLAT had fixed this as the next hearing date in the matter.
The Supreme Court set this date for the return of its notice seeking the NCLAT’s explanation.
- Proposal deadline
- Four weeks
- NCLT sanctioned strength
- 63 members
- NCLT membership as of June 30, 2026
- 26 judicial members and 25 technical members, including the president
- Bench sittings
- At least 18 NCLT benches were reported to hold only half-day sittings
- Supreme Court request
- NCLAT was asked on July 15 to hear the matter on July 23
4 sources
What people are saying
if there is any request made by the Supreme Court to any court or tribunal, the same shall be treated as a direction and non-compliance of such direction shall be looked into very seriously
We are quite disturbed with the manner in which NCLAT has conducted itself in the present litigation
The proposals may also include the requirements of land/building as well as requisite staff.
Attorney General shall nevertheless impress upon Union to ensure that all basic amenities are made available at the earliest,