Since October last year, Scroll has been (intermittently) reporting on how India’s insolvency proceedings are coming along. Cumulatively, these reports flag a couple of peculiar patterns.

A lot of companies are up for sale — In a country with 7500 companies with a topline over Rs 250 crore, 2511 companies are slated for insolvency proceedings. There are very few buyers. Ergo, companies are changing hands at very low rates, creating in effect a giant fire-sale of Indian companies. This asymmetry between buyers and sellers is interesting. Even as most debt-saddled companies find themselves in insolvency courts, others (a very small set) continue on an acquisition spree.

An example here is Adani Enterprises. One of the most debt-saddled companies in the country, it continues to acquire companies and announce new projects with gusto. One answer why lies in today’s report.

Do please take a look.