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Monday, January 31, 2011

COMPOUNDING OF OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 621A OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956

Provisions and procedure for Compounding of offences, which are punishable under Companies Act, 1956 are stipulated under section 621A of the act. The meaning of word compounding of offence is not defined under Companies Act, 1956. However if we try to analyze the section 621A, we can draw one clear interpretation i.e. “It`s nothing but admission of guilt” In the process of compounding, the person may either Suo Moto or on receipt of notice of default/initiation of prosecution, admits the commission of default and make an application for compounding of the concern offence. The defaulters agree to pay penalty which may be ordered by the Central Government. We will try to analyze the provisions and procedure of compounding.

Before turning to the procedural part, we must understand the basic provisions relating to compounding and authorities to be approached for compounding of offence. Accordingly following are the important provisions pertaining to Compounding of Offences.

I. Applicability: - Only those offences which are punishable with either Penalty or Penalty or imprisonment i.e. where it is at discretion of the court to impose penalty or imprisonment, are compoundable under section 621A. In other words offence which is specifically punishable with imprisonment only or imprisonment plus fine is non-compoundable.

Similarly, offence must not be a subsequent offence committed within period of 3 years from Compounding of offence of similar nature. It means if an offence is compounded in favour of a person and if that person commits that offence once again within span of three (3) years from the previous compounding then the subsequent offence shall not be eligible for compounding. However if the period of 3 years has lapsed from previous compounding then the subsequent offence shall be considered as fresh offence and shall be eligible for compounding.

II. Jurisdiction: - the power of Compounding of offence is conferred upon Company Law Board and Regional Director. Where the maximum amount of fine which may be imposed for the commission of the offence does not exceed ` 50,000/- that offence is compounded by the Regional Director. All other applications for compounding of offences shall be entertained and tried by the Company Law Board. The Regional Director acts under direction, control and supervision of the Company Law Board.

III. Penalty: - Penalty, which may be imposed under the order of compounding by the CLB or RD shall not exceed the maximum amount of fine which may be imposed for commission of that offence. Means if the maximum fine for an offence is 10 times of basic fees, then the penalty shall not exceed the 10 times of basic fees.

The fine imposed under the order of Compounding is considered as additional fees and payable under section 611 (2) and not regarded as penalty. This has a significant implication for qualifications and disqualifications of Directorship.

IV. Effects of Compounding: - Compounding has very significant impacts. They are as follows;

i. Once the offence is compounded, no further prosecution shall be initiated either by registrar or shareholder or any other person in respect of that offence.

ii. If the offence is committed for non filing of any return or document with registrar, then that return or documents needs to be filed with the registrar along with fees and additional fees as may be imposed under the order and within such time frame as may be stipulated under the order.

iii. If any prosecution is going in any court in respect of the offence, then on successful compounding of the same, the person against whom the prosecution is going on shall be discharged.

iv. Failure of compliance with the order of Compounding is an offence punishable with imprisonment of six months or fine not exceeding ` 50,000/- or with both.

v. Once the offence is compounded, the intimation of compounding needs to be given to the Registrar within period of seven days from the day on which the offence is so compounded.

PROCEDURE FOR COMPOUNDING

1. The procedure for compounding of offence under section 621A can be suo moto or on initiation of prosecution by government authorities i.e. Registrar of Companies. A petition is required to be prepared in form no. 1 of Companies (court) Rules, 1959 (Please refer annexure I). Following documents are required to be attached with petition;

  • Board resolution authorizing director for filing petition.
  • Affidavits duly notarized
  • Power of attorney / Memorandum of Appearance
  • Sometimes Copies of 3 years attested financial statements.
  • Copy of agreement (if any)

2. E-form No. 61 is required to be filed with Registrar of Companies.

3. The complete set for petition is to be prepared in triplicate

i. One for filing with Registrar of Companies

ii. One for presenting in Company Law Board/Regional Director

iii. One as an acknowledgment.

4. Once the form 61 is filed and physical set of petition is submitted with the ROC, he forwards the same with his comments for Compounding.

5. After that application can be made to the CLB or RD as the case may be for compounding of offence.

6. Once the order of Compounding is passed, the same needs to be filed with the registrar of companies in e-form 21.

SIGNIFICANCE OF COMPOUNDING OF OFFENCES

The question may be asked by management of the Company that, if no notice for default has been received by the Company, then why should company go for compounding? In such cases a very important reference can be given to Part 1 of Schedule XIII of Companies Act, 1956. Part 1 of schedule XIII stipulates the conditions to be full filled for the appointment of a Managing or Whole Time Director or a Manager without the approval of the central government. According to clause (a) sub-clause (vi) if a person has been punished with imprisonment for any period or a fine exceeding ` 1000/- he shall be disqualified to be appointed as Managing Director or a Whole Time Director or as a Manager.

And therefore if it is found out that by negligence any provisions have been violated, immediately Compounding should be sought to prevent unnecessary further damage.

ANNEXURE I

DRAFT PETITION

BEFORE THE HON`ABLE COMPANY LAW BOARD, ________ BENCH, MUMBAI

Petition No. ________/2011

IN THE MATTER OF

__________ Limited

…………………………. (Petitioner)

VERSUS


___________ (ROC)

…………………………. (Respondent)

APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 621A OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956

SEEKING COMPOSITION OF OFFENCE UNDER SECTION ________.

CONTENTS OF PETITION

1. Name of the company.

2. Date of incorporation and registration number of the company

3. Registered office of the company

4. Capital structure of the company

5. The authorized capital as on 31st march ________ (latest year ending)

6. Issued, subscribed and paid-up capital as on 31st march ________

7. Present business of the company:

8. Facts of the case

9. Section of default and other details of non-compliance.

10. Submissions

11. Representation on behalf of the company

12. Prayer

13. Signature

* The petition is required to be printed on ledger paper.

19 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for simplifying Sec.621A!
    This information was of great help to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for appreciation .... if you have any specific subject matter please do let me know ...i will try to contribute on the same

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    2. If Company had changed its main objects and for this it had passed the special resolution but did not filed the e-form 23, and continued its business for 6 years, then we have to file its petition. so, please give some updates for this.

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    3. Ms. Vartika .. please provide your e mail id

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  2. Very fluid and simple language explained.Thanks a ton.
    CS Abhishek Srivastava

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  3. Crystal Clear. Good Work.
    CS Kinnar Chhaya.

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  4. can you please tell how the amount of penalty in compounding will be calculated in case where a company has increased the paid up share capital from 10 lac to 8 cr in feb 2012 and has not appointed a company secretary yet,so how will we calculate the amount of penalty which will be imposed on the company if it goes for compounding

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  5. Dear Madam , Can you please provide your mail id for reply

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  6. Can a Non Executive Director be appointed as Managing Director?

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    Replies
    1. Dear Rita For appointment of MD being non executive Director is not a Disqualification. But MD or WTD is position of full time employment hence in order to avoid issues relating to Remuneration it is essential that MD should be one among executive Directors of Company

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  7. Is the petition required to be signed by every Director, if no can one director on behalf of all the other directors sign the same. Please quote relevant provision for the same.

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  8. Is the petition required to be signed by all the defaulting parties if one party denny to sign due to not in job right now but when default occurs he is in the job then what should be the conclusion for this...

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  9. Can the MD sign the petition on behalf of the company. Have all the directors to give their consent for compounding. Which section applies for not holding AGM and can it be compounded.

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  10. Hi Sir, Can a foreign liaison office apply for waiver of additional fees payable on non filing of annual accounts with the ROC. Is this procedure will be helpful for waiver of the fees.

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  11. HELLO SIR , CAN U PLZ TELL ME WHETHER THE ACCUSED NEED TO BE PRESENT IN COMPUNDING CASES IF ITS MOVED IN LOK ADALT

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  12. HELLO SIR , CAN U PLZ TELL ME WHETHER THE ACCUSED NEED TO BE PRESENT IN COMPUNDING CASES IF ITS MOVED IN LOK ADALT

    ReplyDelete
  13. HELLO SIR , CAN U PLZ TELL ME WHETHER THE ACCUSED NEED TO BE PRESENT IN COMPUNDING CASES IF ITS MOVED IN LOK ADALT

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sushant sir,

    Kindly rply if company did not conduct AGM of last 2 financial year can it conduct the agm now of both the financial year 2014 and 2015 on same day at different time.

    ReplyDelete