NCLAT orders review of McDonald's-Vikram Bakshi settlement

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on September 17 said it will review the settlement between food major McDonald's and its estranged Indian partner Vikram Bakshi over sale of his shares in Connaught Plaza Restaurants. The appellate tribunal said the settlement reached between McDonald's and Vikram Bakshi was 'prima facie' violation of Debt Recovery Tribunal order and it 'would not give effect to'.

A two-member NCLAT bench headed by Chairperson Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya also asked Bakshi not to leave the country without its permission.

"We find that parties (Bakshi and McDonald's) have reached agreement…. Which is prima facie against the interim order of DRT. We are of the view that parties should not implement such agreement nor leave the country without intimating DRT or this Tribunal," NCLAT said.

At its last hearing, NCLAT had given Bakshi last and final chance to settle the issue with HUDCO, which is claiming Rs 194 crore in dues.

NCLAT had allowed an intervention application, filed by HUDCO earlier, opposing the deal.

CPRL, which is now wholly owned by McDonald's, after its estranged partner Vikram Bakshi transferred his share in the JV to the US-based firm, had temporarily shut down its 160 stores.

CPRL had on May 20 said that it has re-opened 13 restaurants in Delhi NCR.

On May 6, estranged partners McDonald's and Bakshi had informed the NCLAT that they were working towards an out-of-court settlement to end their dispute.

On May 9, they announced an out-of-court settlement with the fast food chain agreeing to buy Bakshi from their joint venture that operated outlets of the US firm in north and east India.

The details of the pact, including financial terms, were not disclosed.

Following that both Bakshi and McDonald's had approached the NCLAT to withdraw cases filed against each other and it was opposed by HUDCO.