Company Law
- Abbreviations
- Acceptance of Deposits [Ch. V]
- Accounts of companies [Ch. IX]
- Appointment and Remuneration to Managerial Personnel [Ch. XIII]
- Appointment and qualification of directors [Ch. XI]
- Audit and Auditors [Ch. X]
- Buy-back of Securities
- Corporate Social Responsibility [S. 135]
- Declaration and Payment of Dividend [Ch. IX]
- Exemptions to a private company under the Companies Act 2013 - at a glance
- Incorporation of company [Ch. II]
- Management and Administration [Ch. VII]
- Miscellaneous
- Powers of the Board [Ch. XII]
- Registration of charges [Ch. VI]
- Share capital, Debentures and Issue of securities [Ch. III, IV]
- Application of premium received on issue of shares [S. 52]
- Debentures [S. 71]
- Dematerialisation of securities [R.9, 9A]
- Issue and Redemption of Preference Shares [S. 55]
- Issue of Sweat Equity Shares [S. 54]
- Kinds of share capital [S. 43] and their voting rights [S. 47(1)]
- Power to purchase its own shares (i.e. buy-back of securities) [S. 68, R. 17]
- Private Placement vis-à-vis Preferential Offer
- Private Placement [S. 42, R.14]
- Prohibition on Issue of shares at Discount [S. 53]
- Publication of Authorised, Subscribed and paid-up capital [S. 60]
- Reduction of share capital [S. 66]
- Restrictions on purchase by the Co or giving of loans by it for purchase of its shares [S. 67]
- Types of Issue of Securities – an overview
- Some of the key SEBI compliances for listed entities
- Conditions to be complied with upon resignation of the statutory auditor of a listed entity / material subsidiary w.r.t. limited review / audit report [SEBI CIRCULAR CIR/CFD/CMD1/114/2019 dated 18-Oct-2019]
- Corporate Governance under LODR [Ch. III of LODR]
- Illustrative Compliance calendar under LODR for Entities which has listed its specified securities
- Publishing Quarterly/Half Yearly/Annual Results by Listed Companies under LODR
- Tables
- Contents of BoD report [S. 134(3), (3A), (5) & R.8, 8A]
- Criteria under the Co Act 2013 triggering certain compliances – At a Glance
- e Forms to be filed with RoC under Co Act 2013
- Fees to be paid to Registrar of Companies
- Illustrative list of matters requiring Special Resolution as per Co Act 2013
- Illustrative list of punishment for non-compliance/default under Co Act 2013
- Illustrative list of Statutory Registers and other records to be prepared or maintained under Co Act 2013
- Types of companies [Ch. I]
Illustrative list of punishment for non-compliance/default under Co Act 2013
(₹ ...... K = ₹ ...... ‘000)
Sr. No. |
Section of Co Act 2013 |
Default/non-compliance |
Punishment to the Co |
Who else liable? |
What punishment? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
8(11) |
Default in complying with provisions of S. 8 (Non-profit distributing co) |
Fine: NOT < ₹ 10 lakhs, may extend to ₹ 1 crore |
Director & every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 3 years, or Fine: not < ₹ 0.25 lakhs which may extend to ₹ 25 lakhs, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
Proved that affairs were conducted fraudulently |
Every OID |
Action u/s 447 |
|||
2. |
10A(2) |
Default in filing declaration for payment of subscription to MoA and verification of Regd Office by a Co incorporated on or after 2-Nov-2018 |
Penalty: ₹ 50 K |
OID |
Penalty: ₹ 1 K per day, Not > ₹ 1 lakh |
3. |
12(8) |
Default in complying with provisions of S. 12 (regd office) |
Co & every OID⟶Penalty: ₹ 1 K per day, NOT > ₹ 1 lakh |
||
4. |
15(2) |
Default in noting every alteration in MoA, AoA |
Co & every OID⟶Penalty: ₹ 1K per copy |
||
5. |
42(9) |
Default in filing Return of allotment i.r.o. issue of shares on private placement basis |
Co, its promoters & directors⟶Penalty (for each default): ₹ 1 K per day of default, NOT > ₹ 25 lakh |
||
6. |
42(10) |
Making an offer/accepting money in contravention of S. 42 |
Co, its promoters & directors⟶Penalty: may extend to the amount raised through Pvt placement OR ₹ 2 crores, whichever is lower Co to refund all monies with interest specified u/s 42(6) within 30 days of the penalty order |
||
7. |
46(5) |
Issue of DUPLICATE Sh Cert with an intent to defraud |
Fine: not < 5 (may extend to 10) * face value of the shares involved in the issue of the duplicate certificate or ₹ 10 crores whichever is higher |
Every OID |
liable for action u/s 447 |
8. |
56(6) |
Default in transfer/transmission of securities, delivery of certificates of all securities |
Fine: not < ₹ 25 K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
Every OID |
Fine: NOT < ₹ 10K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh |
9. |
57 |
Personation of a SH |
- |
Person deceitfully personating |
Imprisonment: not < 1 year which may extend to 3 years, AND Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
10. |
60(2) |
Default in mentioning subscribed + paid-up capital where Authorised share capital is mentioned on any document |
Penalty: ₹ 10K per default |
Every OID |
Penalty: ₹ 5K per default |
11. |
64(2) |
Default in filing notice (eForm) with the ROC for alteration of (authorised) share capital |
Co & Every OID ⟶Penalty: ₹ 1 K per day of default or ₹ 5 lakh whichever is less |
||
12. |
67(5) |
Giving financial assistance for purchase of own shares/shares of holding co |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: which may extend to 3 years, AND Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh |
13. |
68(11) |
Default in compliance with buy-back provisions of Co Law/SEBI regulations |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 3 years, or Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 3 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
14. |
74(3) |
Failure to repay existing deposits + interest thereon on due date/within 3 years of commencement of Co Act 2013 whichever is earlier OR extension granted by NCLT |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 crore which may extend to ₹ 10 crores Co to also repay deposit and interest due |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 7 years, or Fine: not < ₹ 25 lakh which may extend to ₹ 2 crores, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
15. |
76A |
Invitation/acceptance of deposit in contravention of S. 73 [from members] or S. 76 [from public] OR Failure to repay the deposit or part thereof or pay interest due thereon within the specified time |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 crore or 2 * (amount of deposit accepted) whichever is lower, but which may extend to ₹ 10 crores Co to also repay deposit and interest due thereon |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 7 years, AND Fine: not < ₹ 25 lakh which may extend to ₹ 2 crores |
16. |
86(1) and (2) |
Contravention of Chapter VI - Registration of Charge |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to |
OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 6 months, or Fine: not < ₹ 25K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
Any person wilfully furnishes any false or incorrect information or knowingly suppresses any material information, required to be registered as per S. 77⟶liable for action u/s 447 |
|||||
17. |
88(5) |
Failure to maintain/maintain as per S. 88(1) & (2) of RoM, RoDH, Ro Other security-holders |
Co & Every OID⟶Fine: NOT < ₹ 50 K, but may extend to ₹ 3 lakh In case of continuing failure, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 K per day after the 1st day |
||
18. |
89(5) |
Failure to make declaration about beneficial ownership without any reasonable cause |
Registered holder/Beneficial owner |
Fine: may extend to ₹ 50 K In case of continuing failure, further Fine: ₹ 1 K per day after the 1st day |
|
19. |
89(7) |
Failure by Co to file beneficial interest return with ROC |
Co & Every OID⟶Fine: NOT < ₹ 500, but may extend to ₹ 1 K In case of continuing failure, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 K per day of failure after the 1st day |
||
20. |
90(10) |
Failure by SBO to make declaration |
Such SBO |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakhs, or Both – imprisonment + fine In case of continuing failure, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 K per day of failure after the 1st day |
|
21. |
90(11) |
Failure by Co to maintain SBO register u/s 90(2)/file SBO return u/s 90(4)/denies inspection |
Co & Every OID⟶Fine: NOT < ₹ 10 lakh, but may extend to ₹ 50 lakh In case of continuing failure, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 K per day of failure after the 1st day |
||
22. |
92(5) |
Failure to file AR within 60 days of AGM |
Co & Every OID⟶Penalty: ₹ 50 K In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 100 per day of failure subject to maximum ₹ 5 lakh |
||
23. |
99 |
Default in holding AGM/AGM or GM as directed by NCLT u/s 96 to 98 |
Co & Every OID ⟶Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 lakh In case of continuing failure, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 5K per day of default |
||
24. |
102(5) |
Default in disclosures incl. nature of interest on special business by director, manager, KMP, their relatives |
Promoter, director, manager, KMP in default |
Penalty: ₹ 50K, or 5 * (the benefit accrued to director, manager, KMP, their relatives), Whichever is higher |
|
25. |
105(3) |
Default in mentioning right to appoint proxy in GM notice in reasonable prominence |
OID |
Penalty: ₹ 5K |
|
26. |
105(5) |
Issue of invitation to appoint proxy at Co’s expenses |
Every Officer of the co knowingly/wilfully permitting/authorising such invitation |
Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 lakh |
|
27. |
111(5) |
Default in circulating resolution to members |
Co & Every OID ⟶ Penalty: ₹ 25 K |
||
28. |
117(2) |
Failure to file resolution/agreement within prescribed time (30 days) |
Penalty: ₹ 1 lakh In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 500 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 25 lakh |
Every OID incl. liquidator, if any |
Penalty: ₹ 50 K In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 500 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 5 lakh |
29. |
118(11) |
Default in compliance with provisions of S. 118 re: minutes |
Penalty: ₹ 25K |
Every OID |
Penalty: ₹ 5K |
30. |
118(12) |
Tampering with minutes |
Person found guilty |
Imprisonment: may extend to 2 years, AND Fine: Not < ₹ 25K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh |
|
31. |
119(2) |
Refusal of inspection of GM minutes book to any member/copy not furnished to the member on request with payment of prescribed fees |
Penalty: ₹ 25K |
Every OID |
Penalty: ₹ 5K for each refusal/default |
32. |
121(3) |
Non-filing of AGM report with the RoC within given timeline |
Penalty: ₹ 1 lakh In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 500 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 5 lakh |
Every OID |
Penalty: ₹ 25 K In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 500 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 1 lakh |
33. |
124(7) |
Failure to comply with S. 124 i.e. Transfer to Unpaid Dividend a/c; Statement to be placed on websites; payment of interest @12% in case of default; Transfer of unpaid dividend to IEPF; Transfer of shares to IEPF |
Fine: not < ₹ 5 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
34. |
127 |
Failure to distribute dividends i.e. dividend declared but not paid |
Pay simple interest @ 18% p.a. during the period of default |
Every Director of the Co knowingly a party to the default |
Imprisonment: may extend to 2 years, AND Fine: Not < ₹ 1 K per day of default which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh |
35. |
128(6) |
Contravention of maintenance/inspection of books of account |
MD/WTD in-charge of finance/CFO/other person charged by BoD with compliance |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: Not < ₹ 50K which may extend to ₹ 5lakh or Both – imprisonment + fine |
|
36. |
129(7) |
Compliance with provisions re: preparation, audit, adoption of Financial Statement |
MD/WTD in-charge of finance/CFO/other person charged by BoD with compliance; If not, ALL Directors |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: Not < ₹ 50K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh or Both – imprisonment + fine |
|
37. |
134(8) |
Contravention of provisions of S.134 re: FS n BoD’s report |
Fine: not < ₹ 50K which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 3 years, or Fine: not < ₹ 50K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
38. |
32135(7) |
Contravention of provisions of S.135(5) or (6) re: Spending CSR/transfer to special Account or Fund specified in Sch VII |
Fine: not < ₹ 50 K which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 3 years, or Fine: not < ₹ 50K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
39. |
136(3) |
Default in providing (i) copies of audited FS & other documents annexed to it & (ii) inspection of those docs during business hours to members, DT |
Penalty: ₹ 25 K |
Every OID |
Penalty: ₹ 5 K |
40. |
137(3) |
Failure of a co to file the copy of FS with RoC within prescribed time limit whether AGM is held or not |
Penalty: ₹ 1 K per day of failure, subject to not > |
33Refer the Footnote below |
Penalty: ₹ 1 lakh, In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 100 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 5 lakh |
41. |
140(3) |
Non-compliance with filing of a statement in the prescribed form indicating the reasons & other facts as may be relevant with regard to his resignation by an auditor with Co + RoC + CAG (where applicable) |
Resigning auditor |
Penalty: ₹ 50K or Auditor’s remuneration, whichever is less In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 500 per day of failure after the 1st day of failure, subject to maximum ₹ 5 lakh |
|
42. |
143(15) |
Failure to report an offence of fraud which he/she came across during the course of audit |
Auditor/cost auditor/secretarial auditor |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh |
|
43. |
147(1), 148(8)(a) |
Contravention of provisions re: auditors S. 139 to S. 146/S. 148 |
Fine: not < ₹ 25K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: not < ₹ 10K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
44. |
147(2), 148(8)(b) |
Contravention of provisions of S. 139, S. 143 to 145/S. 148 |
Auditor/Cost Auditor |
Fine: Not < ₹ 25 K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh or 4 * Auditor’s remuneration whichever is less |
|
Willful contravention with the intention to deceive the Co, SH, creditors, tax authorities |
Auditor/Cost Auditor |
Imprisonment: which may extend to 1 year, AND Fine: Not < ₹ 50 K which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh or 8 * Auditor’s remuneration whichever is less - refund the remuneration received by him to the Co AND - pay for damages to the Co, statutory bodies/authorities, members, creditors for loss arising out of incorrect or misleading statements of particulars made in his audit report |
|||
45. |
157(2) |
Failure by Co to furnish DIN within 15 days to RoC, other specified authority |
Penalty: not < ₹ 25K In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 100 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 1 lakh |
Every OID |
Penalty: not < ₹ 25K In case of continuing failure, further Penalty: ₹ 100 per day of failure after the 1st day, subject to maximum ₹ 1 lakh |
46. |
159 |
Contravention of S. 152 (Appt of directors), S. 155 (person having a DIN applying for/obtaining/possessing another DIN) & S. 156 (Director to intimate DIN to all co(ies) in which he is a director) |
Individual/Director |
Penalty: may extend to ₹ 50K, In case of continuing contravention, further Penalty: may extend to ₹ 500 per day after 1st day of default |
|
47. |
165(6) |
Person accepting appointment as a director in contravention of S. 165(1) i.e. Max. 20 Cos out of which max. 10 public Cos |
Such person/director |
Penalty: not < ₹ 5K per day of contravention after the first |
|
48. |
166(7) |
Contravention of provisions of S. 166 re: Duties of Director |
Director |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakhs |
|
49. |
167(2) |
Person acting as a director knowing that his office as director has become vacant as specified in S. 167(1) |
Person |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
|
50. |
172 |
Contravention of Chapter XI (S. 149 to S. 171) for which no specific penalty provided |
Co & Every OID⟶Fine: not < ₹ 50 K, which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
||
51. |
173(4) |
Failure to give BM notice |
Every Officer of the Co having duty to give BM notice |
Penalty: ₹ 25K |
|
52. |
178(8) |
Non-compliance with S.177 (Audit committee & vigil mechanism) & S. 178 (NRC & SRC) |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: not < ₹ 25K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
53. |
184(4) |
Director not disclosing interest/participation by interested director |
Director |
Imprisonment: may extend to 1 year, or Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
|
54. |
185(4) |
Loan/Security/Guarantee provided/utilized in contravention of S.185 |
Fine: not < ₹ 5 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID, |
Imprisonment: may extend to 6 months, or Fine: not < ₹ 5 lakh which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh |
Director/person to whom loan advanced/security or guarantee provided |
Imprisonment: may extend to 6 months, or Fine: not < ₹ 5 lakh which may extend to ₹ 25 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
||||
55. |
186(1) |
Contravention of provisions re: Layers of subsidiaries |
Co & Every OID⟶Fine: may extend to ₹ 10K In case of continuing failure, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 1K per day of default after 1st |
||
56. |
186(13) |
Contravention of provisions of S.186 (in making loans/guarantee/security/investment) |
Fine: not < ₹ 25 K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 2 yeas, AND Fine: NOT < ₹ 25 K, which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
57. |
187(4) |
Contravention of provisions of S.187 (Investment in its own name) |
Fine: not < ₹ 5 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 6 months, or Fine: not < ₹ 25 K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
58. |
188(5) |
RPT in violation of S. 188 |
Director/employee who has entered into/authorized related party contract/agreement in violation of S.188 |
Listed co: Imprisonment : may extend to 1 year, or Fine : Not < ₹ 25 K but which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh, or Both : Imprisonment + Fine |
|
Any other company: Fine : Not < ₹ 25 K but which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
|||||
59. |
189(6) |
Director failing to comply with provisions of S. 189 |
Director failing to comply |
Penalty: ₹ 25K |
|
60. |
190(3) |
Default in keeping MD/WTD contract at Regd Office & open for inspection by members without any fee |
Penalty: ₹ 25 K |
Every OID |
Fine: ₹ 5 K per default |
61. |
191(5) |
Contravention of provisions of S. 191 re: payment to directors for loss of office etc. |
Director (recipient) |
Penalty: ₹ 1 lakh |
|
62. |
197(15) |
Default in compliance with provisions of S. 197 re: managerial remuneration |
If default by Co |
Person defaulting |
Penalty: ₹ 1 lakh |
63. |
203(5) |
Contravention of provisions of S. 203 re: appt of KMP |
Penalty: ₹ 5 lakh |
Every Director & KMP in default |
Penalty: ₹ 50 K In case of continuing default, further Penalty: ₹ 1K per day of default after 1st, but not > ₹ 5 lakh |
64. |
204(4) |
Contravention of provisions of S. 204 re: Secretarial audit |
Co/Officer of the Co/Practicing CS (secretarial auditor) in default ⟶ Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
||
65. |
242(8) |
Alteration in MoA, AoA inconsistent with NCLT order u/s. 242(1) (for prevention of oppression and mismanagement) |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to |
Every OID |
Imprisonment: may extend to 6 months, or Fine: not < ₹ 25K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
67. |
446B |
Lesser penalty for OPC, Small Co for failure to comply with S. 92(5) [filing Annual Return], S. 117(2) [Filing certain resolutions, agreements], S. 137(3) [filing annual FS] |
½ of the penalty specified in such sections |
||
68. |
447 |
Punishment for fraud |
Person guilty of fraud punishable with |
||
Involving at least ₹ 10 lakh or 1% of turnover of Co, whichever is lower |
Imprisonment: not < 6 months (not < 3 years, if involves public interest) which may extend to 10 years, AND Fine: not < Amount involved in fraud, but which may extend to 3 * (Amount involved in fraud) |
||||
< ₹ 10 lakh or 1% of turnover of Co, whichever is lower, and does not involve public interest |
Imprisonment: may extend to 5 years, or Fine: may extend to ₹ 50 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
||||
69. |
449 |
Intentionally giving false evidence |
Such person |
Imprisonment: not < 3 years which may extend to 7 years, AND Fine: may extend to ₹ 10 lakh |
|
70. |
450 |
No specific penalty/punishment prescribed |
Co and every OID ⟶ Fine: may extend to ₹ 10 K In case of continuing contravention, further Fine: may extend to ₹ 1 K per day after 1st |
||
71. |
451 |
Repeated default within 3 years |
twice the amount of fine for such offence in addition to any imprisonment provided for that offence |
||
72. |
452(1) |
Wrongfully withholding property |
Any officer or employee of the Co |
Fine: not < ₹ 1 lakh which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
|
73. |
452(2) |
Failure to refund property/benefit derived from property misapplied |
Any officer or employee of the Company |
Imprisonment: may extend to 2 years |
|
74. |
454(8) |
Failure to comply with order u/s. 458((3)/(7) (incl. payment of penalty) within 90 days of the receipt of a copy of the order |
Fine: not < ₹ 25K which may extend to ₹ 5 lakh |
OID failing to comply |
Imprisonment: may extend to 6 months, or Fine: not < ₹ 25 K which may extend to ₹ 1 lakh, or Both – imprisonment + fine |
75. |
454A |
Penalty for repeated default within 3 years from the date of penalty order |
2 * Penalty provided for such default under the relevant provisions |
Offence punishable with Imprisonment only/Imprisonment AND Fine are not compoundable u/s 441
Penalty has to be adjudicated as per the Co (Adjudication of Penalties) Rules 2014 – whereas such requirement is not applicable to Fine.
With notification of 19-Feb-19, rules have been amended to facilitate e-adjudication of penalties. Requirement of submission of replies in electronic mode shall become mandatory after creation of e-adjudication platform of MCA (and it becomes operational).