Companies Act, 2013
221.
Freezing
of assets of company on inquiry and investigation.
1. Where it appears to
the Tribunal, on a reference made to it by the Central Government or in
connection with any inquiry or investigation into the affairs of a company
under this Chapter or on any complaint made by such number of members as
specified under sub-section (1 ) of section 244 or a creditor having one
lakh amount outstanding against the company or any other person having a
reasonable ground to believe that the removal, transfer or disposal of funds,
assets, properties of the company is likely to take place in a manner that is
prejudicial to the interests of the company or its shareholders or creditors or
in public interest, it may by order direct that such transfer, removal or disposal
shall not take place during such period not exceeding three years as may be
specified in the order or may take place subject to such conditions and
restrictions as the Tribunal may deem fit.
2. In case of any
removal, transfer or disposal of funds, assets, or properties of the company in
contravention of the order of the Tribunal under sub-section (1 ), the
company shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than one lakh
rupees but which may extend to twenty-five lakh rupees and every officer of the
company who is in default shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to three years or with fine which shall not be less than fifty
thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees, or with both.