Now, upGrad Files Insolvency Petition Against Bira91 Over ₹1.02 Cr Dues

upGrad Moves NCLT Against Bira91 Parent

Education technology company upGrad has filed an insolvency petition against B9 Beverages Ltd, the parent of beer brand Bira 91, seeking recovery of alleged unpaid dues amounting to ₹1.02 Cr. The petition was filed under Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, before the Delhi bench of the National Company Law Tribunal on October 22. upGrad has named B9 Beverages as the corporate debtor and has sought initiation of the corporate insolvency resolution process. The petition does not specify the nature of services upGrad provided to the beverage company.

This filing adds to the growing creditor pressure on B9 Beverages, which is already contending with multiple insolvency-related actions. In September, the NCLT had directed the company and its creditors to explore a mediated settlement in connection with several insolvency proceedings, while restraining the brewer from disposing of its assets during discussions. Separately, glass manufacturer Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Ltd has sought to recover ₹11.77 Cr in alleged unpaid dues, issuing a demand notice under Section 8 of the IBC over customised glass bottles made against confirmed purchase orders but allegedly not collected.

Why This Matters For Businesses

The case illustrates how operational creditors can use Section 9 of the IBC to pursue unpaid dues through the NCLT. An operational creditor must first serve a demand notice and satisfy the prescribed statutory conditions before approaching the tribunal. Crucially, the mere filing of a petition does not automatically trigger insolvency proceedings — the NCLT examines the application to determine whether the requirements for admission are met. For vendors and service providers dealing with stressed counterparties, the development underscores the importance of tracking payment defaults and preserving documentation of supply or service contracts.

The broader context is significant. B9 Beverages has be…