Stories
Supreme Court Demands NCLT Infrastructure Report from Centre Amid Staff Shortages
- •The Supreme Court questioned the Centre on infrastructure gaps at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) after the NCLT Bar Association highlighted critical issues.
- •The Bar Association's intervention application detailed an acute shortage of NCLT members, with only 50 members against a sanctioned strength of 63, and 18 more retiring by December 2027.
- •Concerns were also raised about the temporary status of all 246 administrative staff, lack of permanent buildings, dedicated judgment writers, and inadequate technological infrastructure across NCLT benches.
- •The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the NCLT's operational conditions, questioning its ability to function effectively without essential resources.
- •The Court directed the Union of India to collect and submit comprehensive data on infrastructural facilities at all NCLT benches and file a detailed status report within two weeks, outlining corrective measures.
Key Questions Answered
The NCLT Bar Association pointed out an acute member shortage, noting that only 50 members are in position against a sanctioned strength of 63. Additionally, all 246 administrative staff members are temporary, and the benches suffer from a lack of permanent buildings, dedicated judgment writers, and proper technological infrastructure.
The Supreme Court directed the Union of India to collect and place on record comprehensive data regarding infrastructural facilities across all regional, circuit, and principal benches of the NCLT. The government must file a detailed status report outlining existing basic amenities, infrastructure, and technological facilities, and take corrective measures in consultation with the NCLT President.
A total of 18 members are due to retire by December 2027, which makes the ongoing issues regarding vacancies and the continuity of NCLT Benches particularly urgent.
