FILE PHOTO: An employee carries Bira beer cans to deliver them to a customer at a liquor store in Mumbai, India
| Photo Credit:
FRANCIS MASCARENHAS
Glass maker Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Ltd (HNGIL), which emerged from insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), has escalated its dispute with BIRA 91 maker B9 Beverages by claiming dues and warning of civil and criminal action over alleged non-lifting of customised bottles manufactured during its Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).
In the letter dated June 4, HNGIL said that a legal notice dated May 6 was issued to B9 Beverages Limited (BIRA) for recovery of ₹11.19 crore, including interest, storage and mould charges.
Following this, Ankur Jain, founder and CEO of BIRA 91, responded via email the next day, sharing that the company was undergoing a recapitalisation process, which was anticipated to conclude by the end of the then financial quarter.
“By way of said communication, he further sought additional indulgence of time and indicated an intention to lift the contracted stock following resumption of production in the succeeding quarter,” HNGIL represented in the letter.
In the absence of an immediate and credible resolution, HNGIL is evaluating all remedies available to it under applicable law and equity, including proceedings for recovery of dues, damages, and initiation of appropriate proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 against BIRA.
In a fresh communication sent to B9 Beverages’ board and copied to its investors, including Peak XV, Sofina, BlackRock, Kirin Holdings and others, HNGIL alleged that more than 51 lakh customised glass bottles worth over ₹7 crore continue to remain at its facilities despite repeated assurances from the beer maker.
This development follows a legal notice issued by HNGIL last month seeking recovery of more than ₹8 crore from B9 Beverages over alleged payment and contractual defaults.
According to the latest notice, HNGIL said the transactions were undertaken while the company was undergoing CIRP under the IBC and that B9 Beverages was allegedly aware of the insolvency proceedings but continued placing purchase orders backed by bank guarantees.
HNGIL alleged that despite encashing bank guarantees worth ₹3.91 crore, substantial dues remain outstanding and the brewer has failed to lift about 51.42 lakh customised bottles manufactured exclusively for it.
The glassmaker has sought payment of ₹11.19 crore within 15 days and demanded a binding schedule for lifting the stock, failing which it said it would initiate legal proceedings.
The company further alleged that B9 Beverages had acknowledged certain pending transactions and committed to payments and stock lifting schedules during the discussions, but failed to fulfil those commitments.
According to HNGIL, the unlifted stock has blocked working capital and warehouse capacity, while resulting in additional storage and handling costs.
It said HNGIL itself recently came out from a prolonged insolvency resolution process and is presently engaged in the revival and stabilisation of its business operations. The company exited the IBC process last year after a consortium led by Uganda-based Madhvani Group’s INSCO implemented a resolution plan for the company, bringing to an end a multi-year insolvency proceeding. The company has since focused on operational revival and improving financial performance.
“The continued and unjustified blockage of inventory, warehousing infrastructure, and working capital consequent upon BIRA’s default imposes a material, disproportionate, and unsustainable financial burden on HNGIL,” it said.
Published on June 5, 2026
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