Companies Act, 2013
340.
Power
of Tribunal to assess damages against delinquent directors, etc.
1. If in the course of
winding up of a company, it appears that any person who has taken part in the
promotion or formation of the company, or any person, who is or has been a director,
manager, Company 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 Tribunal may, on the application of the Official Liquidator, or the Company
Liquidator, or of any creditor or contributory, made within the period
specified in that behalf in sub-section (2 ), inquire into the conduct of
the person, director, manager, Company Liquidator or officer aforesaid, and
order him to repay or restore the money or property or any part thereof
respectively, with interest at such rate as the Tribunal considers just and
proper, 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 Tribunal considers just and proper.
1.
2. An application under
sub-section (1 ) shall be made within five years from the date of the
winding up order, or of the first appointment of the Company 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.