Companies Act, 1956
Sec 399 - Right to apply under sections 397 and 398.
(1) The following members of a company shall
have the right to apply under section 397 or 398 :
(a) in the case of a company having a share
capital, not less than one hundred members of the company or not less than
one-tenth of the total number of its members, whichever is less, or any member
or members holding not less than one-tenth of the issued share capital of the
company, provided that the applicant or applicants have paid all calls and
other sums due on their shares ;
(b) in the case of a company not having a
share capital, not less than one-fifth of the total number of its members.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), where
any share or shares are held by two or more persons jointly, they shall be
counted only as one member.
(3) Where any members of a company are
entitled to make an application in virtue of sub-section (1), any one or more
of them having obtained the consent in writing of the rest, may make the
application on behalf and for the benefit of all of them.
(4) The Central Government may, if in its opinion
circumstances exist which make it just and equitable so to do, authorize any
member or members of the company to apply to the Company Law Board under
section 397 or 398, notwithstanding that the requirements of clause (a) or
clause (b), as the case may be, of sub-section (1) are not fulfilled.
(5) The Central Government may, before
authorizing any member or members as aforesaid, require such member or members
to give security for such amount as the Central Government may deem reasonable,
for the payment of any costs which the Company Law Board dealing with the
application may order such member or members to pay to any other person or
persons who are parties to the application.