Justice Grewal Appointed NCLT President by Centre

The Union government has approved the appointment of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the President of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The decision resolves an ongoing legal dispute regarding the appointment of the tribunal’s acting president and brings clarity to its leadership structure.

Centre Notifies Key Appointment

The Centre formally notified Justice Grewal’s appointment on April 29, 2026. He will serve a five-year term from the date of assuming office or until he attains the age of 67, whichever comes earlier. His appointment is significant as the NCLT plays a crucial role in adjudicating corporate disputes, insolvency matters, and company law issues in India.

Delhi High Court Closes Pending Petition

The Delhi High Court, while hearing a petition challenging the appointment of an acting president, declared the matter “infructuous” following the Centre’s decision. The Bench observed that with a full-time president now appointed, the dispute over interim arrangements no longer held relevance. Consequently, the court closed proceedings in the petition filed by a technical member of the tribunal.

Dispute Over Acting President Appointment

The petition had contested the appointment of Bachu Venkat Balaram Das as acting president. The petitioner argued that the senior-most member, irrespective of category, should be appointed to the role based on the date of joining. However, the Centre defended its decision by citing an established convention of appointing the senior-most judicial member to such positions.

Important Facts for Exams

• NCLT is a quasi-judicial body that adjudicates corporate and insolvency disputes in India.
• The tribunal operates under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The President of NCLT is typically a former High Court judge.
• Conventions often guide interim appointments in absence of explicit statutory rules.

Background of Legal Proceedings

The petitioner, appointed as a technical member in October 2021, claimed seniority over the acting president based on an earlier joining date. After initial proceedings in the High Court and a subsequent approach to the Central Administrative Tribunal, which declined jurisdiction, the matter returned to the High Court. With the Centre’s latest appointment, the legal uncertainty surrounding the leadership of NCLT has been effectively resolved.