{"id":367869,"date":"2025-11-27T11:00:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T05:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=367869"},"modified":"2025-11-27T11:10:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T05:40:29","slug":"from-rainbow-to-reform-rethinking-government-claims-and-creditor-hierarchy-in-indian-insolvency-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/27\/from-rainbow-to-reform-rethinking-government-claims-and-creditor-hierarchy-in-indian-insolvency-law\/","title":{"rendered":"From Rainbow to Reform: Rethinking Government Claims and Creditor Hierarchy in Indian Insolvency Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The law must clearly lay out the priority of distributions in bankruptcy to all stakeholders. The priority must be designed so as to incentivise all stakeholders to participate in the cycle of building enterprises with confidence<\/span>.<a id=\"fnref1\" href=\"#fn1\" title=\"1. Ministry of Finance, Government of India, The Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee (4-11-2015).\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In light of recent judicial decisions, namely, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State Tax Officer<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref2\" href=\"#fn2\" title=\"2. (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span>) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref3\" href=\"#fn3\" title=\"3. (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524. \"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">PVVNL case<\/span>)<\/span>, <!-- Xml to add hyperlinks --><\/span><\/span>Government of India is looking to make changes to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code<\/span><!-- LE to check if this will be hyperlinked --><\/span><\/span><!-- yes, IBC, 2016 --><\/span><\/span>. According to a report dated 14-4-2025<\/span><span class=\"annotation&nbsp;reference\" style=\"vertical-align: super;\"><\/span><!-- LEt o chekck if this will be hyperlinked --><\/span><\/span><!-- No guideline regarding hyperlinking of reports --><\/span><\/span><a id=\"fnref4\" href=\"#fn4\" title=\"4. Gireesh Chandra Prasad, &#8220;A Series of Court Orders Changed Bankruptcy Rules. Now, the Govt is Amending the Law&#8221;, Livemint (14-4-2025), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/bankruptcy-code-amendments-to-streamline-corporate-rescue-ibc-industrial-development-authority-amarchand-mangaldas-11744545563590.html&gt; last accessed 14-4-2025.\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a>, the Centre intends to change the corporate insolvency framework to give better clarity, particularly on how to handle statutory dues and claim priorities, that has been altered by recent Court interpretations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">On the account of this news, it is critical to understand the cause of this confusion and its legal basis. In the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><!-- Xml to hyperlink throughout --><\/span><\/span><a id=\"fnref5\" href=\"#fn5\" title=\"5. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court ruled that if a charge is created by a statue then such statutory authority shall be considered a secured creditor under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC<\/span><!-- Xml to hyperlink --><\/span><\/span>)<\/span><!-- xml to hyperink --><\/span><\/span>.<a id=\"fnref6\" href=\"#fn6\" title=\"6. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a> However, this stance was eventually overturned in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">PVVNL case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref7\" href=\"#fn7\" title=\"7. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a>, when the Court indicated that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref8\" href=\"#fn8\" title=\"8. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a> should be confined to the specific facts of that case and failed to take into account the waterfall mechanism under Section<\/span> <\/span>53<span style=\"Open Sans&quot;; font-size: 12.5pt;\"><\/span> IBC<!-- Xml to hyperlink. LE to specify the year of the act --><\/span><\/span><!-- 2016 --><\/span><\/span>.<a id=\"fnref9\" href=\"#fn9\" title=\"9. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a> Following this, other review petitions were filed contesting in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref10\" href=\"#fn10\" title=\"10. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a> (for example, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State Tax Officer (1)<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref11\" href=\"#fn11\" title=\"11. (2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a>). The Supreme Court declined to hear the review petitions because the requirements of a review petition were not met.<a id=\"fnref12\" href=\"#fn12\" title=\"12. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal v. State Tax Officer (1), (2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This paper, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">firstly<\/span>, outlines the background of the three key cases, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">secondly<\/span>, it aims to examine the implications of classifying government authorities as secured creditors under the IBC as held in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers<\/span> judgment<a id=\"fnref13\" href=\"#fn13\" title=\"13. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a>, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">thirdly<\/span>, the paper analyses the concept of security interest and secured creditors under the Code using the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) discussion paper, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">fourthly<\/span>, it examines a nature-based classification of government dues to assess their eligibility for the status of a secured creditor, and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">fifthly<\/span>, it offers suggestions that may be considered for inclusion in the upcoming IBC amendment.<\/p>\n<h2>The journey from <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers<\/span> to <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The ambiguity pertaining to the placement of the government dues under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a> began with the Supreme Court&#8217;s ruling in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"annotation&nbsp;reference\" style=\"vertical-align: super;\"><\/span><!-- XML to hyperlink throughout the article --><\/span><\/span><a id=\"fnref14\" href=\"#fn14\" title=\"14. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a> decision in September 2022. In this case, the Court determined that a charge arising from a legislation constitutes a &#8220;security interest&#8221;, therefore holding that a statutory authority shall be treated as a secured creditor under the IBC. It further determined that Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001593932\" target=\"_blank\">48<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002880013\" target=\"_blank\">Gujarat Value Added Tax Act, 2003<\/a> (GVAT Act)<\/span> <!-- XML to hyperlink --><\/span><\/span>was not in conflict with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>. Consequently, liabilities under the GVAT Act were to be classified as &#8220;secured debts&#8221;, falling under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\">53(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ii<\/span>)<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>, which determines the asset allocation during insolvency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">On July 2023, however, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">PVVNL<\/span> judgment<\/span><span class=\"annotation&nbsp;reference\" style=\"vertical-align: super;\"><\/span><!-- Xml to hyperlink throughout the article --><\/span><\/span><a id=\"fnref15\" href=\"#fn15\" title=\"15. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court revisited this matter, the case was regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002782344\" target=\"_blank\">Electricity Act, 2003<\/a>. The Court ruled that Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549738\" target=\"_blank\">238<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>, a non obstante clause, overrides conflicting sections of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002782344\" target=\"_blank\">Electricity Act, 2003<\/a>, even though Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001553481\" target=\"_blank\">173<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001553482\" target=\"_blank\">174<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002782344\" target=\"_blank\">Electricity Act, 2003<\/a> also contain non obstante clauses. This case determined that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref16\" href=\"#fn16\" title=\"16. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a> had not taken into account the priority allocation process given in Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>, and so its ratio cannot be applied to the matter at hand. It also stated that <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers<\/span><a id=\"fnref17\" href=\"#fn17\" title=\"17. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a> ruling should be confined to its fact specific cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Finally, on October 2023, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal<\/span> judgment<\/span><span class=\"annotation&nbsp;reference\" style=\"vertical-align: super;\"><\/span><!-- XML to hyperlink --><\/span><\/span><a id=\"fnref18\" href=\"#fn18\" title=\"18. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal v. State Tax Officer (1), (2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a>, the Court dismissed various review petitions challenging the <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers<\/span><a id=\"fnref19\" href=\"#fn19\" title=\"19. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd.,(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a> decision. The Court held that the review petitions failed to show any apparent error. They highlighted that a difference of opinion among Judges on an equal strength Bench cannot lead to a review. Furthermore, the Court ruled that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref20\" href=\"#fn20\" title=\"20. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd.,(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a> had taken into account Section 53 while giving the judgment and that it would be wrong to claim that the decision was made in ignorance of the IBC&#8217;s waterfall mechanism.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Statutory authorities as secured creditors under the IBC<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref21\" href=\"#fn21\" title=\"21. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal v. State Tax Officer (1), (2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a>, the Court clarified that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref22\" href=\"#fn22\" title=\"22. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a> did not fail to take into account Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>. Nevertheless, the position taken by the Court is alarming. The author argues that, while the judgment referred to Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53<\/a>, its engagement with the provision was superficial, failing to address the legislative intent and economic reasoning underlying the prioritisation framework given in Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">To fully comprehend the problems arising from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref23\" href=\"#fn23\" title=\"23. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a>, one must first understand the economic backdrop in which the IBC was enacted.<a id=\"fnref24\" href=\"#fn24\" title=\"24. Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a> During mid-2010s, banks experienced a sharp surge in non-performing assets (NPAs).<a id=\"fnref25\" href=\"#fn25\" title=\"25. RBI, Database on Indian Economy, available at &lt;https:\/\/www.re3data.org\/repository\/r3d100010992&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025.\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a> By 2015, NPAs totalled Rs 3.5 lakh crore.<a id=\"fnref26\" href=\"#fn26\" title=\"26. Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a> The share of NPA in 2017 increased to 6 per cent after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) implemented the classification rules in 2016,<a id=\"fnref27\" href=\"#fn27\" title=\"27. Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date\"><sup>27<\/sup><\/a> exposing the depth of financial hardship. Simultaneously, bank recovery rates remained poor, averaging only 26.4 per cent,<a id=\"fnref28\" href=\"#fn28\" title=\"28. Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date\"><sup>28<\/sup><\/a> with public sector banks (PSBs) performing substantially worse than their private counterparts.<a id=\"fnref29\" href=\"#fn29\" title=\"29. Reserve Bank of India, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and Bank Recapitalisation (ibbi.gov.in) &lt;https:\/\/ibbi.gov.in\/uploads\/whatsnew\/2f662d25983e6adcedd32625ae4aa228.pdf&gt;.\"><sup>29<\/sup><\/a> With PSBs accounting for over 70 per cent of India&#8217;s banking assets and receiving over Rs 70,000 crores in capital infusions between 2007 and 2015,<a id=\"fnref30\" href=\"#fn30\" title=\"30. Reserve Bank of India, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and Bank Recapitalisation (ibbi.gov.in) &lt;https:\/\/ibbi.gov.in\/uploads\/whatsnew\/2f662d25983e6adcedd32625ae4aa228.pdf&gt;. \"><sup>30<\/sup><\/a> the banking crisis directly impacted the government&#8217;s fiscal health. This demanded a major revamp of the insolvency regime, which led to the enactment of the IBC.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee (BLRC) in 2015 proposed that government dues be placed below both secured and unsecured financial creditors in the liquidation waterfall mechanism. This strategy was intended to ensure credit flow to financial creditors, promote unsecured lending, lower capital costs, promote entrepreneurship and, ultimately, drive economic growth. As a beneficiary of economic growth, the Government was positioned to gain from such a framework.<a id=\"fnref31\" href=\"#fn31\" title=\"31. Ministry of Finance, Government of India, The Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee (4-11-2015).\"><sup>31<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref32\" href=\"#fn32\" title=\"32. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>32<\/sup><\/a> overlooked these underlying economic and policy concerns before concluding that the statutory dues shall classify as secured debt under the IBC. As a result, financial creditors would be compelled to take bigger haircuts, reducing overall recoveries and slowing the flow of credit in the economy.<a id=\"fnref33\" href=\"#fn33\" title=\"33. Essar Steel India Ltd. (CoC) v. Satish Kumar Gupta, (2020) 8 SCC 531 : (2020) 219 Comp Cas 97.\"><sup>33<\/sup><\/a> As a result, economic growth may suffer, ultimately putting the government&#8217;s fiscal health at risk. The lack of a deeper analysis of these issues strengthens the author&#8217;s contention that the judgment only superficially addressed Section 53 and was inadequately reasoned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Furthermore, in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref34\" href=\"#fn34\" title=\"34. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>34<\/sup><\/a>, the Court relied on the definitions of &#8220;secured creditor&#8221;<a id=\"fnref35\" href=\"#fn35\" title=\"35. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, S. 3(30).\"><sup>35<\/sup><\/a> and &#8220;security interest&#8221;<a id=\"fnref36\" href=\"#fn36\" title=\"36. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, S. 3(31).\"><sup>36<\/sup><\/a> to classify the State as a secured creditor, demonstrating an inadequate engagement. If the Court had delved one step deeper, it would have come across the term &#8220;transaction&#8221;,<a id=\"fnref37\" href=\"#fn37\" title=\"37. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, S. 3(33).\"><sup>37<\/sup><\/a> which is an important factor in assessing the existence of a valid security interest. This key factor was neglected, and if it had been fully examined, the outcome of the case may have been different, an argument that the author will elaborate on in the following section of the paper.<\/p>\n<h2>Security interest, secured creditor and transactions within the IBC<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The reasoning of the Judges in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref38\" href=\"#fn38\" title=\"38. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>38<\/sup><\/a> was based on a twofold step where they looked at the definition of a secured creditor and security interest to conclude that government should be considered as a secured creditor. Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549762\" target=\"_blank\">3(30)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a> defines secured creditor as a creditor in whose favour security interest is created. A security interest is defined by Section 3(31) IBC<\/span> <!-- XML to hyperlink --><\/span><\/span>as a right or claim to property created to secure payment for a secured creditor through a transaction. Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549762\" target=\"_blank\">3(33)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a> defines a transaction as a written agreement or arrangement for the transfer of assets, cash, goods, or services from or to the corporate debtor. When the definitions are taken together, it can be concluded that the legislative goal underlying the term &#8220;security interest&#8221; was to only include cases in which the corporate debtor engaged in a voluntary transaction. The Court&#8217;s approach in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref39\" href=\"#fn39\" title=\"39. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>39<\/sup><\/a>, which treats a charge formed by the operation of law as a security interest, clearly undermines the legislative intent reflected in the relevant definitions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In line with this interpretation, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs<a id=\"fnref40\" href=\"#fn40\" title=\"40. Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Discussion Paper on Treatment of Government Dues under IBC, available at &lt;https:\/\/www.mca.gov.in\/bin\/dms\/getdocument?mds=%252F%252BvFPv8K3F2phOvVgShgDA%253D%253D&amp;type=open&gt;.\"><sup>40<\/sup><\/a> attempted to resolve the interpretational concerns raised by the <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rainbow Papers<\/span><a id=\"fnref41\" href=\"#fn41\" title=\"41. State Tax Officer v. Rainbow Papers Ltd., (2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.\"><sup>41<\/sup><\/a> ruling. Specifically, para 14.1 of the document explained that the term &#8220;transaction&#8221; means that a security interest must result from an agreement or consensual arrangement by the asset holder, giving rights on the other party. Furthermore, MCA highlighted the intent behind using the term &#8220;transaction&#8221;, which is to enter into voluntary transactions.<a id=\"fnref42\" href=\"#fn42\" title=\"42. Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Discussion Paper on Treatment of Government Dues under IBC, available at &lt;https:\/\/www.mca.gov.in\/bin\/dms\/getdocument?mds=%252F%252BvFPv8K3F2phOvVgShgDA%253D%253D&amp;type=open&gt;.\"><sup>42<\/sup><\/a> Therefore, strengthening the argument that the intent of the legislature behind the definition of security interest under the IBC is intended to include only consensual transactions between parties, rather than interests created unilaterally via the operation of a statute.<\/p>\n<h2>A way forward: Nature-based classification of governmental dues<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A way forward should be considered taking into account the original purpose of the IBC. Financial creditors play an important role in ensuring that money flows in the economy. Their financial health has a direct impact on how the economy runs, which ultimately impacts the government&#8217;s fiscal health, and therefore, they should be prioritised. However, it would be unwise to treat all government payments as low priority in every situation. For example, there could be instances where a loan was obtained from a government owned bank. In such cases, the Government acts as a financial creditor, and these obligations should ideally be treated likewise as of the secured creditors. This is because government owned banks like any other secured financial creditor play a crucial role in the economy and contribute to the economy&#8217;s cash flow.<a id=\"fnref43\" href=\"#fn43\" title=\"43. Essar Steel India Ltd. (CoC) v. Satish Kumar Gupta, (2020) 8 SCC 531 : (2020) 219 Comp Cas 97.\"><sup>43<\/sup><\/a> As a result, this paper proposes that priority under the waterfall mechanism should be determined by the nature of the transaction rather than the identity of the creditor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">PVVNL case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref44\" href=\"#fn44\" title=\"44. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>44<\/sup><\/a> advanced a nature-based classification of dues but did not fully appreciate the logic for prioritising secured financial creditors. The Court specified that payments owed to statutory corporations with separate juristic identities, such as the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">PVVNL case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref45\" href=\"#fn45\" title=\"45. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>45<\/sup><\/a>, do not constitute &#8220;government dues&#8221; under the Section 53(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">f<\/span>) IBC. Instead, such entities can be categorised according to the nature of their transaction with the corporate debtor.<a id=\"fnref46\" href=\"#fn46\" title=\"46. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>46<\/sup><\/a> However, the Court did not address the broader policy rationale, as stated in the BLRC Report<\/span><span class=\"annotation&nbsp;reference\" style=\"vertical-align: super;\"><\/span><!-- LE to check if this will be hyperlinked --><\/span><\/span><!-- No guidelines regarding hyperlinking reports --><\/span><\/span><a id=\"fnref47\" href=\"#fn47\" title=\"47. Ministry of Finance, Government of India, The Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee (4-11-2015).\"><sup>47<\/sup><\/a>, that government dues are purposely subordinated to protect the credit ecosystem. Unlike the Government, which has other ways to recover debts, financial creditors rely significantly on timely repayment.<a id=\"fnref48\" href=\"#fn48\" title=\"48. Saksham Chaturvedi, &#8220;Government as a Secured Creditor: Reconciling Rainbow Papers and the IBC&#8221;, National Law School Business Law Review (nlsblr.com).\"><sup>48<\/sup><\/a> Undermining their priorities risks destabilising financial markets and the economy as a whole. Thus, while the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">PVVNL case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref49\" href=\"#fn49\" title=\"49. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. v. Raman Ispat (P) Ltd., (2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.\"><sup>49<\/sup><\/a> accurately identified the nature of transaction-based classification, it missed an opportunity to underscore the legislative intent underlying the IBC&#8217;s waterfall hierarchy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Government dues should be classified under the IBC based on two fundamental factors: Whether the debt is financial or operational in nature, and the intrinsic character of the obligation itself.<a id=\"fnref50\" href=\"#fn50\" title=\"50. Saksham Chaturvedi, &#8220;Government as a Secured Creditor: Reconciling Rainbow Papers and the IBC&#8221;, National Law School Business Law Review (nlsblr.com).\"><sup>50<\/sup><\/a> It is critical to recognise that not all government claims should receive equal consideration in the priority framework. Statutory dues or claims that do not originate from a voluntary, transactional relationship should not be automatically classified as secured debts. Giving such dues more priority contradicts the IBC&#8217;s objective and upsets stakeholder balance. In matters involving governmental dues where the legal position is ambiguous,<a id=\"fnref51\" href=\"#fn51\" title=\"51. Gireesh Chandra Prasad, &#8220;SC Order on GNIDA Creates Fresh Uncertainty in Debt Resolution, Say Experts&#8221;, Livemint (21-7-2024) available at &lt;https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/industry\/sc-order-on-gnida-creates-fresh-uncertainty-in-debt-resolution-say-experts-11721548352182.html&gt; last accessed 2-4-2025.\"><sup>51<\/sup><\/a> courts should consider the original legislative intent as well as the Code&#8217;s broader economic objectives. This will not only assure conformity with the IBC&#8217;s goal, but also provide clearer guidance for future cases.<a id=\"fnref52\" href=\"#fn52\" title=\"52. Vijay Kumar Singh, &#8220;Modern Corporate Insolvency Regime in India: A Review&#8221; (2021) 7(1) National Law School Business Law Review.\"><sup>52<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Legislative recommendations for the upcoming amendment<\/h2>\n<p style=\"\">To provide a fair distribution of proceeds during liquidation and improve recoveries for financial and operational creditors, Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549788\" target=\"_blank\">53(1)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a> should be amended as follows<a id=\"fnref53\" href=\"#fn53\" title=\"53. Deepali Verma, Renuka Mishra and Karishma Dodeja, &#8220;The Ambiguity in the Treatment of Statutory Dues under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016: Rainbow or PVVNL? The Saga Continues&#8221;, Trilegal (23-12-2023) available at &lt;https:\/\/trilegal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/231220_Draft-Article_The-ambiguity-on-the-treatment-of-statutory-dues-under-IBC_-Clean-Final-Version-Final.pdf&gt; last accessed 13-4-2025.\"><sup>53<\/sup><\/a>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(1) Section 53(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ii<\/span>)<\/span> <!-- XML to hyperlink all sections mentioned below --><\/span><\/span>should state that priority is to be given only to financial debts owed to secured financial creditors who have given up their security interest under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549787\" target=\"_blank\">52<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">IBC<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(2) Section 53(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">d<\/span>) should be amended to prioritise solely financial debts payable to unsecured financial creditors, preserving a clear distinction between secured and unsecured debt classes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(3) Section 53(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">e<\/span>)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">i<\/span>) should be expanded to encompass all dues owed to the Federal and State Governments, local Governments, and any payments secured through statutory arrangements or legal obligations imposed by operation of law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*3rd year BA LLB (Hons.) student, National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Author can be reached at: <a href=\"mailto:khangembam.alka@nls.ac.in\" target=\"_blank\">khangembam.alka@nls.ac.in<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8i15j5Km\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Ministry of Finance, Government of India, The Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee (4-11-2015).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> Gireesh Chandra Prasad, &#8220;A Series of Court Orders Changed Bankruptcy Rules. Now, the Govt is Amending the Law&#8221;, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Livemint<\/span> (14-4-2025), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/news\/bankruptcy-code-amendments-to-streamline-corporate-rescue-ibc-industrial-development-authority-amarchand-mangaldas-11744545563590.html&gt; last accessed 14-4-2025.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v. Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v. Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer (1)<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer (1)<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">,(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">,(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Sanjay Kumar Agarwal<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer (1)<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cGW2h5pn\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2024) 2 SCC 362 : (2023) 241 Comp Cas 283.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> RBI, Database on Indian Economy, available at &lt;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.re3data.org\/repository\/r3d100010992\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.re3data.org\/repository\/r3d100010992<\/a>&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn27\" href=\"#fnref27\">27.<\/a> Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn28\" href=\"#fnref28\">28.<\/a> Nilang T. Desai, Bahram N. Vakil, Suharsh Sinha and Saloni Thakkar, Treatment of Crown Debts in Indian Insolvency: Perspectives and Way Forward, AZB &amp; Partners (October 2023), available at &lt;https:\/\/www.azbpartners.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Emerging-Ideas-on-IBC-003.pdf&gt; last accessed 11-4-2025. Please check date<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn29\" href=\"#fnref29\">29.<\/a> Reserve Bank of India, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and Bank Recapitalisation (ibbi.gov.in) &lt;https:\/\/ibbi.gov.in\/uploads\/whatsnew\/2f662d25983e6adcedd32625ae4aa228.pdf&gt;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn30\" href=\"#fnref30\">30.<\/a> Reserve Bank of India, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and Bank Recapitalisation (ibbi.gov.in) &lt;<a href=\"https:\/\/ibbi.gov.in\/uploads\/whatsnew\/2f662d25983e6adcedd32625ae4aa228.pdf%3E.%20\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">https:\/\/ibbi.gov.in\/uploads\/whatsnew\/2f662d25983e6adcedd32625ae4aa228.pdf&gt;.<\/span><\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn31\" href=\"#fnref31\">31.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8i15j5Km\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Ministry of Finance, Government of India<\/span>, <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">The Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> (4-11-2015).<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn32\" href=\"#fnref32\">32.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn33\" href=\"#fnref33\">33.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0V3C5aSt\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Essar Steel India Ltd. (CoC)<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> Satish Kumar Gupta<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">, (2020) 8 SCC 531 : (2020) 219 Comp Cas 97.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn34\" href=\"#fnref34\">34.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn35\" href=\"#fnref35\">35.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/rOllWgj8\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, S.<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549762\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">3(30)<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn36\" href=\"#fnref36\">36.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/rOllWgj8\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, S.<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549762\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">3(31)<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn37\" href=\"#fnref37\">37.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/rOllWgj8\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, S.<\/span><\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001549762\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">3(33)<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn38\" href=\"#fnref38\">38.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn39\" href=\"#fnref39\">39.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn40\" href=\"#fnref40\">40.<\/a> Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Discussion Paper on Treatment of Government Dues under IBC, available at &lt;https:\/\/www.mca.gov.in\/bin\/dms\/getdocument?mds=%252F%252BvFPv8K3F2phOvVgShgDA%253D%253D&amp;type=open&gt;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn41\" href=\"#fnref41\">41.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">State Tax Officer<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Rainbow Papers Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wl8FKDTq\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 9 SCC 545 : (2022) 234 Comp Cas 584.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn42\" href=\"#fnref42\">42.<\/a> Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Discussion Paper on Treatment of Government Dues under IBC, available at &lt;https:\/\/www.mca.gov.in\/bin\/dms\/getdocument?mds=%252F%252BvFPv8K3F2phOvVgShgDA%253D%253D&amp;type=open&gt;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn43\" href=\"#fnref43\">43.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0V3C5aSt\" target=\"_blank\"> <span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Essar Steel India Ltd. (CoC)<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"> v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Satish Kumar Gupta<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">, (2020) 8 SCC 531 : (2020) 219 Comp Cas 97.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn44\" href=\"#fnref44\">44.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn45\" href=\"#fnref45\">45.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn46\" href=\"#fnref46\">46.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn47\" href=\"#fnref47\">47.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8i15j5Km\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Ministry of Finance, Government of India<\/span>, <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">The Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(4-11-2015).<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn48\" href=\"#fnref48\">48.<\/a> Saksham Chaturvedi, &#8220;Government as a Secured Creditor: Reconciling Rainbow Papers and the IBC&#8221;, National Law School Business Law Review (nlsblr.com).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn49\" href=\"#fnref49\">49.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">v.<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Raman Ispat (P) Ltd.<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span>,<\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\"><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uhQCUnl1\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">(2023) 10 SCC 60 : (2023) 23 Comp Cas-OL 524.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn50\" href=\"#fnref50\">50.<\/a> Saksham Chaturvedi, &#8220;Government as a Secured Creditor: Reconciling Rainbow Papers and the IBC&#8221;, National Law School Business Law Review (nlsblr.com).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn51\" href=\"#fnref51\">51.<\/a> Gireesh Chandra Prasad, &#8220;SC Order on GNIDA Creates Fresh Uncertainty in Debt Resolution, Say Experts&#8221;, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Livemint<\/span> (21-7-2024) available at &lt;https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/industry\/sc-order-on-gnida-creates-fresh-uncertainty-in-debt-resolution-say-experts-11721548352182.html&gt; last accessed 2-4-2025.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn52\" href=\"#fnref52\">52.<\/a> Vijay Kumar Singh, &#8220;Modern Corporate Insolvency Regime in India: A Review&#8221; (2021) 7(1) National Law School Business Law Review.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn53\" href=\"#fnref53\">53.<\/a> Deepali Verma, Renuka Mishra and Karishma Dodeja, &#8220;The Ambiguity in the Treatment of Statutory Dues under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016: Rainbow or PVVNL? The Saga Continues&#8221;, Trilegal (23-12-2023) available at &lt;https:\/\/trilegal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/231220_Draft-Article_The-ambiguity-on-the-treatment-of-statutory-dues-under-IBC_-Clean-Final-Version-Final.pdf&gt; last accessed 13-4-2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Alka Khangembam*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":367882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[93438,85557,93436,92430,72150,78433,89327,93435,89635,93437],"class_list":["post-367869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-bankruptcycode","tag-corporateinsolvency","tag-creditorhierarchy","tag-ibc2016","tag-indianjudiciary","tag-insolvencylaw","tag-legalreforms","tag-rainbowpaperscase","tag-securedcreditors","tag-statutorydues"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>From Rainbow to Reform: Rethinking Government Claims and Creditor Hierarchy in Indian Insolvency Law | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The law must clearly lay out the priority of distributions in bankruptcy to all stakeholders. 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