S GOPALASWAMI GOUNDER Vs. KKRISHNASWAMI GOUNDER (INTERIM LIQUIDATOR OF THE POLLACHI VELLALA UNION MILLS COMPANY LIMITED, IN LIQUIDATION)

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal from an order passed by Gentle, J., on a misfeasance summons taken out by the liquidator of the Pollachi Vellala Union Mills Company, Limited. The liquidator alleged that the appellant, who had been the manager of the company, was liable under Section 235 of the Indian Companies Act to pay two sums of money, one of Rs. 3,448-10-6 and the other of Rs. 700-7-0. The liquidator also asked that an order be passed against the appellant, directing him to produce all books, papers, documents and correspondence relating to the company which were still in his possession. The learned Judge held that the: appellant Was not liable ill the sum of Rs. 3,448-10-6 and the liquidator withdrew the summons so far as Rs. 700-7-0 was concerned. With regard to the books it was said that the appellant had wrongfully retained the following : (1) The inventory or stock book; (2) the directors circulation book; (3) the shareholders circulation book; and (4) the share transfer application register. The learned Judge found that the first two of these books were with the appellant, but that the remaining two were not with him. Accordingly he passed an order directing the appellant to deliver over to the liquidator the inventory book and the directors circulation book. This order was not complied with and the learned Judge then called upon the appellant to show cause why he should not be committed for contempt of Court. In the meantime the appellant filed this appeal and as the result the contempt proceedings have been stayed.

(2.) Dr. John has contended that the learned Judge erred in law in confining his order to the delivery of the (sic) books. He says that unless a loss has been suffered by the company there can be no order under Section 235 and that when an order is passed for the return of property it must also state the amount for which the person against whom it is passed is liable in the event of the non- delivery of the properly. In this connection the learned Counsel has quoted the decisions of the Court of Appeal in In re Canadian Land Reclaiming and Colonizing Co. : Coventry and Dixon's case (1880) 14 Ch. D. 660 and of the House of Lords in Cavendish Bentinck V/s. Fenn (1887) 12 A.C. 652. In the first of these cases the Court held that under Section 165 of the English Companies Act, 1862, in order to make a person liable under the section he must be shown to have been guilty of misconduct by which the company has suffered loss. The section was not for punishing a man who had been guilty of misfeasance, but for compensating the company for the loss suffered. In that case it had not been shown that there, was any loss. This interpretation of the section was accepted by the House of Lords in the second case. There is, however, a great difference between Section 165 of the English Companies Act, 1862 and Section 235 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913, as amended by Act XXII of 1936. Section 165 of the English Act reads as follows: Where, in the course of the winding up of any company under this Act, it appears that any past or present director, manager, official, or other liquidator or any officer of such company, has misapplied or retained in his own hands or become liable or accountable for any moneys of the company, or been guilty of any misfeasance or breach of trust in relation to the company, the Court may, on the application of any liquidator, or of any creditor or contributory of the company notwithstanding that the offence is one for which the offender is criminally responsible, examine into the conduct of such director, manager, or other officer, and compel him to repay any monies so misapplied or retained, or for which he has become liable or accountable, together with interest after such rate as the Court thinks just, or to contribute such sums of money to assets of the company by way of compensation in respect of such misapplication, retainer, misfeasance, or breach of trust, as the Court thinks just.

(3.) Section 235 of the Indian Companies Act reads as follows: Where in the course of winding up of a company it appears that any person who has taken part in the formation or promotion of the company or any past or present director, manager, or liquidator, or any officer of the company has misapplied or retained or become liable or accountable for any money or property of the company, or been guilty of any misfeasance or breach of trust in relation to the company, the Court may, on the application of the liquidator, or of any creditor or contributory (made within three years from that date of the first appointment of a liquidator in the winding up or of the misapplication, retainer, misfeasance or breach of trust, as the case may be, whichever is longer) examine into the conduct of the promoter, director, manager, liquidator or officer, 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) This section shall apply notwithstanding that the offence is one for which the offender may be criminally responsible.