Can the NCLT President Transfer Cases Across States?

The Supreme Court is examining whether the NCLT President has the power to transfer cases from one state’s NCLT bench to another.

Under Rule 16(d) of the NCLT Rules, 2016, the President may transfer cases “when circumstances so warrant.”

A Gujarat High Court ruling limited this power to within the same state.

However, the Supreme Court has prima facie questioned this restriction, noting that cross-state transfers may be necessary to prevent a deadlock when benches recuse, ensuring effective adjudication.

[Anita Rayapati v. Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steels India]