The NCLT Indore Bench is the designated National Company Law Tribunal bench with jurisdiction over all companies registered in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. For corporate lawyers, insolvency professionals, and creditors dealing with defaulting MP/CG companies, understanding how the NCLT Indore Bench works is essential for successful resolution.

NCLT Indore Bench: Jurisdiction & Location

The NCLT Indore Bench operates as a circuit bench of the NCLT Mumbai Principal Bench. It is located at the Bombay High Court Circuit Bench Indore complex. Key facts:

• Jurisdiction: All companies with registered offices in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
• Governed by: ROC Gwalior (under MCA)
• Filing: eFiling through the NCLT eFiling portal, with physical copy submission at the Indore registry
• Sitting days: Typically 3-4 days per week (circuit bench schedule)

What Cases Does NCLT Indore Handle?

The NCLT Indore Bench adjudicates:

1. IBC 2016 matters: Section 7 (financial creditor), Section 9 (operational creditor), Section 10 (voluntary insolvency) petitions
2. Companies Act 2013 matters: Oppression & mismanagement (Section 241/242), winding up, company revival, director disputes
3. Merger/Amalgamation approvals for MP/CG companies
4. NCLT-appointed IRP/RP supervision for CIRP proceedings

How to File an Insolvency Petition at NCLT Indore (2025)

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

For a Section 7 petition (financial creditor):

• Loan agreement / facility letter / bond documents
• Bank statements showing default
• Demand notice sent to corporate debtor (optional but recommended)
• Board resolution of the applicant company
• Certificate from the applicant's CA about outstanding amount
• Form 1 (IBC) with supporting affidavit

Step 2: eFiling on NCLT Portal

File electronically at nclt.gov.in. Pay the court fee of ₹2,000 for Section 7 petitions. Upload all documents in the prescribed format.

Step 3: Physical Filing at Indore Registry

Submit physical copies (generally 3 sets) at the NCLT Indore registry with the receipt of eFiling and court fee payment.

Step 4: Service on Corporate Debtor

Serve the petition on the registered office of the corporate debtor via permitted modes (registered post, courier). File proof of service.

Step 5: First Hearing

The NCLT Indore Bench typically lists the petition within 2-4 weeks of filing. At the first hearing, the bench may issue notice to the corporate debtor and schedule the next hearing.

NCLT Indore Timelines — What to Expect

Based on our experience at the NCLT Indore Bench:

• First hearing: 2-4 weeks from filing
• Admission (if unopposed): 2-4 hearings (1-2 months)
• Admission (if contested): 3-6 months (depends on defenses)
• IRP appointment: within 14 days of admission
• Full CIRP completion: 6-18 months typically

Tips for Success at NCLT Indore

1. Ensure your default is clear and unambiguous: Contested defaults (where the corporate debtor disputes the amount) add 3-6 months to admission. Document your debt impeccably.
2. Engage a local NCLT Indore specialist: Knowledge of bench preferences, filing format, and local procedural nuances matters. Our NCLT Indore lawyers have appeared before this bench consistently since 2018.
3. Consider pre-filing settlement: If the corporate debtor is willing, a pre-NCLT settlement through an OTS (One Time Settlement) or restructuring agreement avoids the cost and time of CIRP.
4. Act fast: NCLT has limitation periods. Section 7 petitions must be filed within 3 years of the first default date. Post-IBC 2019 amendment, this limitation is strictly enforced.

Key IBC 2016 Amendments Affecting NCLT Practice (2024-25)

• Minimum threshold stays at ₹1 crore
• PPIRP (Pre-packaged insolvency) for MSMEs under Sections 54A-54P is now operational
• Resolution applicant eligibility under Section 29A clarified by multiple Supreme Court judgments
• Liquidation: IBBI has strengthened liquidator accountability and auction transparency

Consult Accorg — NCLT Indore Specialists

CA Harshaditya Kabra and the Accorg Consulting team have represented creditors, corporate debtors, IRPs, and resolution applicants before the NCLT Indore Bench in 100+ matters. For a free initial consultation on your NCLT matter, call +91 88277 53530 or email harshaditya.kabra@mail.ca.in.