Section 342 : Prosecution of Delinquent Officers and Members of Company

342. (1) If it appears to the Tribunal in the course of a winding up by the Tribunal, that any person, who is or has been an officer, or any member, of the company has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company, the Tribunal may, either on the application of any person interested in the winding up or suo motu, direct the liquidator to prosecute the offender or to refer the matter to the Registrar.

(2)[Omitted]

(3)[Omitted]

(4)[Omitted]

(5) When any prosecution is instituted under this section, it shall be the duty of the liquidator and of every person, who is or has been an officer and agent of the company to give all assistance in connection with the prosecution which he is reasonably able to give.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression “agent”, in relation to a company, shall include any banker or legal adviser of the company and any person employed by the company as auditor.

(6) If a person fails or neglects to give assistance required by sub-section (5), he shall be liable to pay fine which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees.