Recently, the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi (“High Court”) caused yet another bend in the meandering interplay between the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (“PMLA”). The High Court held that a moratorium imposed under Section 14 of the IBC (“Section 14”) will not preclude the Enforcement Directorate (“ED”) from attaching properties under Sections 5 and 8 of the PMLA.

FACTS

The Hon’ble Supreme Court has recently upheld a Judgement of the Division Bench of Tripura High Court in the case of Sri Subhankar Bhowmik vs Union of India(1) wherein it was held that a Decree Holder cannot be treated at par with Financial Creditors in a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) initiated under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code).

Quite recently, a two Judges’ bench of the Hon’ble Apex Court in Indian Overseas Bank v. M/s. RCM Infrastructure Ltd. & Anr., Civil Appeal No. 4750/2021 (dated 18.05.2022), inter alia, determined on the issue of applicability of provisions under Section 14 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016/ IBC/ Code to a proceeding initiated in terms of the SARFAESI Act, in particular, auction sale.