Companies Act, 1956
Sec 543 - Power of Court to assess damages against
delinquent directors, etc.
(1) If in the course of winding up a company,
it appears that any person who has taken part in the promotion or formation of
the company, or any past or present director, manager, liquidator or officer of
the company
(a) has misapplied, or retained, or become
liable or accountable for, any money or property of the company ; or
(b) has been guilty of any misfeasance or
breach of trust in relation to the company ;
the Court may, on the application of the
Official Liquidator, of the liquidator, or of any creditor or contributory,
made within the time specified in that behalf in sub-section (2), examine into
the conduct of the person, director, manager, liquidator or officer aforesaid,
and compel him to repay or restore the money or property or any part thereof,
respectively, with interest at such rate as the Court thinks just, or to
contribute such sum to the assets of the company by way of compensation in
respect of the misapplication, retainer, misfeasance or breach of trust, as the
Court thinks just.
(2) An application under sub-section (1) shall
be made within five years from the date of the order for winding up, or of the
first appointment of the liquidator in the winding up, or of the misapplication,
retainer, misfeasance or breach of trust, as the case may be, whichever is
longer.
(3) This section shall apply notwithstanding
that the matter is one for which the person concerned may be criminally liable.