CBI to investigate bribe demanded by lawyers for favourable NCLT order

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently conducted a search at the home of a retired National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) member in connection with a case where a law firm solicited bribes from a party to obtain a favourable order..Bar & Bench has accessed the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case.The case centres around a complaint filed by a director of a private investment firm against lawyers who allegedly offered him a favourable tribunal decision in exchange for a substantial bribe..According to the complaint dated January 27, 2025, the director alleged a person called Mahi Bhat, associated with AU Corporate Advisory and Legal Services, reached out to him, claiming close ties with NCLT Mumbai member Reeta Kohli. Bhat reportedly assured him that she could secure a favorable judgment in an ongoing insolvency case for a payment of ₹ 1.5 crore. After negotiations, the bribe amount was reduced to ₹1 crore.The verification of the complaint was conducted by CBI officials on January 28, 29 and February 3 and 4, 2025, in the presence of independent witnesses. Findings confirmed that the complainant’s firm had filed a petition under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) against another company before the NCLT Mumbai. The Tribunal had completed hearings and reserved its order on August 29, 2024. However, the order had not yet been passed..Investigations revealed that Bhat, in collaboration with Akshat Khetan, proprietor of AU Corporate Advisory and Legal Services, demanded the bribe under the pretext of "fees." Despite the company never engaging Bhat’s services for legal representation, she allegedly conspired to influence tribunal members by corrupt means.Further inquiries found that Bhat initially requested 50% of the bribe amount as an advance, but after negotiations, agreed to accept 20%, amounting to ₹ 20 lakh. The amount was deposited into an HDFC Bank account belonging to AU Corporate Advisory and Legal Services on February 4, 2025. The remaining ₹ 80 lakh was to be paid in cash on the day of the final order’s pronouncement, which was anticipated before February 14, 2025..The case has been registered under Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 7-A (Taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988..Reeta Kohli, a designated Senior Advocate from Punjab and Haryana High Court, is currently the Judicial Member at NCLT Jaipur. .Read FIR