Companies Act, 1956
Sec 633 - Power of Court to grant relief in certain cases.
(1) If in any proceeding for negligence,
default, breach of duty, misfeasance or breach of trust against an officer of a
company, it appears to the Court hearing the case that he is or may be liable
in respect of the negligence, default, breach of duty, misfeasance or breach of
trust, but that he has acted honestly and reasonably, and that having regard to
all the circumstances of the case, including those connected with his
appointment, he ought fairly to be excused, the Court may relieve him, either
wholly or partly, from his liability on such terms as it may think fit :
Provided that in a criminal proceeding under
this sub-section, the Court shall have no power to grant relief from any civil
liability which may attach to an officer in respect of such negligence,
default, breach of duty, misfeasance or breach of trust.
(2) Where any such officer has reason to
apprehend that any proceeding will or might be brought against him in respect
of any negligence, default, breach of duty, misfeasance or breach of trust, he
may apply to the High Court for relief and the High Court on such application
shall have the same power to relieve him as it would have had if it had been a
Court before which a proceeding against that officer for negligence, default,
breach of duty, misfeasance or breach of trust had been brought under sub-section
(1).
(3) No Court shall grant any relief to any
officer under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) unless it has, by notice
served in the manner specified by it, required the Registrar and such other
person, if any, as it thinks necessary, to show cause why such relief should
not be granted.