Bench transfer under NCLT Rule 16(d) upheld as an administrative roster power, with no prejudice justifying interference.

Rule 16(d) of the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 recognises the President's administrative power to transfer a matter from one Bench to another where circumstances so warrant, as part of roster control and bench management. On the stated facts, the communicated transfer order did not call for appellate interference, and the principle requiring reasons for administrative decisions affecting rights was distinguished because the transfer did not prejudice legal rights in the manner required to attract that rule.

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Issues: Whether the transfer of the case from one Bench to another under Rule 16(d) of the National Company Law Tribunal Rules, 2016 required recorded reasons or disclosed circumstances warranting interference.

Analysis: Rule 16(d) empowers the President to transfer a case from one Bench to another when circumstances so warrant, and the exercise of that administrative power is part of the President's roster control and bench management. The transfer order was communicated and did not justify interference in appellate jurisdiction. The reliance on the principle that administrative decisions affecting rights may require reasons was distinguished because the transfer of the case did not prejudice the appellant's legal rights in a manner attracting that principle.

Conclusion: The transfer order did not warrant interference, and the appeal failed.

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