Advocate'S Check List (To Be Certified by Advocate-On-Record)
Advocate'S Check List (To Be Certified by Advocate-On-Record)
Advocate'S Check List (To Be Certified by Advocate-On-Record)
I hereby declare that I have personally verified the petition and its contents
and it is in conformity with the Supreme Court Rules 2013. I certify that the
above requirements of this Check List have been complied with. I further
certify that all the documents necessary for the purpose of hearing of the
matter have been filed.
[Pranab Prakash]
Advocate on-record for the Petitioner,
20A, Lawyer’s Chamber,
Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
Code No: 2660
9711229563
New Delhi;
Date: 17.07.2020
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
EXTRA ORDINARY-ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION (C) NO.______ OF 2020 (PIL)
PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION
IN THE MATTER OF:
SUMAN KUMAR …PETITIONER
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. …RESPONDENTS
INDEX OF FILING
SRL. DESCRIPTION COPIES CT.
FEE
1 Synopsis & List of Dates 1+3
2 Listing Proforma 1+3
3 Writ Petition With Affidavit. 1+3 540/-
4 Annexures P1 to P-17 1+3
5 Application for exemption from 100/-
Filing duly Notarized Affidavit.
6. Application for Stay 100/-
6 Memo of Appearance on behalf of 1 10
the petitioner
Total Rs. 750/-
FILED BY:
Pranab Prakash
Advocate for the Petitioner
20A, Lawyer’s Chamber,
Supreme Court of India,
New Delhi.
9711229563
Date: 17.07.2020
New Delhi.
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
EXTRA ORDINARY-ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION (C) NO.______ OF 2020 (PIL)
PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION
IN THE MATTER OF:
SUMAN KUMAR …PETITIONER
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. …RESPONDENTS
WITH
I.A. No. ___________ of 2O20
An application for Exemption from filing Notarized
Affidavit in Support of the Petition
WITH
I.A. No. ___________ of 2O20
An application for Stay
PAPER BOOK
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
INDEX
S.No Particulars of Documents Page No. of part to Remarks
which it belongs
Part I Part-II
[Contents [Contents
of Paper of file
Book] alone.
[i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v]
1 E-Court Fees NIL
2 O/R on limitation NIL NIL
3 Listing Performa. `A1-A2’ `A1-A2’
4 Cover page of Paper Book A-3
5 Index of Record of A-4
Proceedings
6 Limitation Report prepared NIL
by the Registry
7 Defect List A
8 Note Sheet NS 1 to
9 Synopsis with List of Dates B-T
10 Writ Petition with Affidavit. 1-47
11 ANNEXURE P-1
A true copy of the reply of
The Institute Of Company 48-54
Secretaries Of India dated
08.07.2019.
12 ANNEXURE P-2
A true copy of the reply of
The Institute Of Company 55-58
Secretaries Of India dated
25.07.2019.
13 ANNEXURE P-3
A true copy of the 59-60
notification dated
03.01.2020.
14 ANNEXURE P-4
A True copy of the letter 61-64
dated 08.01.2020 issued by
The Institute Of Company
Secretaries Of India.
15 ANNEXURE P-5
A true copy of the letter
dated 09.01.2020 issued by 65-66
The Institute Of Company
Secretaries Of India.
16 ANNEXURE P-6
A true copy of the letter dated 67-70
10.01.2020.
17 ANNEXURE P-7
A true Copy of the letter
dated 11.01.2020 submitted 71-73
to ICSI by the petitioner.
18 ANNEXURE P-8
A true Copy of the letter 74-76
dated 03.02.2020.
19 ANNEXURE P-9
A true copy of the Form 77-82
DIR 12.
20 ANNEXURE P-10
A true copy of the relevant
extracts of annual report 83-84
2018-2019 of Ministry of
Corporate Affairs.
21 ANNEXURE P-11
A true copy of the relevant
extracts of annual report 85-86
2018-2019 of Ministry of
Corporate Affairs.
22 ANNEXURE P-12
A true Copy of the list of 87-90
vanishing companies as on
31.03.2019.
23 ANNEXURE P-13
A true copy of the news 91-94
clippings dated 12.06.2019
published in Live Mint.
24 ANNEXURE P-14
A true copy of the news 95-96
published in The Economics
Times dated 30.08.2019.
25 ANNEXURE P-15
A true copy of the relevant
extracts of Annual Reports 97-98
of 2018-2019 of Ministry of
Corporate Affairs.
26 ANNEXURE P-16
A true copy of the relevant
extracts of Annual Reports 99-101
of 2018-2019 of Ministry of
Corporate Affairs.
27 ANNEXURE P-17
A true copy of the 102-175
representation dated
13.07.2020.
28 I.A. NO. ______ OF 2020
Application for Exemption
from filing Notarized 176-177
Affidavit in support of the
Writ Petition.
29 I.A. NO.______ OF 2020
Application for Stay. 178-180
30 F/M 181
31 V/A 182
A-1
LISTING PROFORMA
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Section: X
The case pertains to (Please
tick/check the correct box): Civil
Central Act: (Title) The Constitution Of India
Section: Article 32
Central Rule: (Title) N/A
Rule No.(s): N/A
State Act: (Title) N/A
Section : N/A
State Rule: (Title) N/A
Rule No.(s): N/A
Impugned Interim Order : (Date) N/A
Impugned Final Order/Decree; N/A
(Date)
High Court: (Name) N/A
Names of Judges: N/A
Tribunal/Authority: (Name) N/A
1. Nature of Matter: Civil
2. (a) Petitioner/appellant No.1: Suman Kumar
(b) e-mail ID: N/A
(c) Mobile Phone number: N/A
3. (a) Respondent No.1: Union of India
(b) E-mail ID: N/A
(c) Mobile phone number: N/A
4. (a) Main category classification: 08(PIL Matter)
(b) sub classification: 812(Others)
5. Not to be listed before: N/A
6. (a) Similar Disposed Of matter No Similar Disposed Of
with Citation, if any, and matter
case details:
(PRANAB PRAKASH)
Advocate-on-Record for Petitioner
e-mail:[email protected]
Ph: +91 - 9711229563
Date:17.07.2020
New Delhi
B
SYNOPSIS
SUGGESTION -1:
(PRANAB PRAKASH)
Advocate For Petitioner
DRAWN BY: Shashank Deo Sudhi, Advocate
Drawn on: 17.07.2020
Filed On: 17.07.2020
1
45
same are not being reproduced herein for the sake of brevity
and may be read as part and parcel of this affidavit.
4. That the content of above affidavit is true and correct to my
personal knowledge and belief and nothing material has been
concealed there form. c
:2l ---=.
DEPONENT
VERIFICATION
Verified at New Delhi on this day of 17 July 2020 that the
contents of the above affidavit are true and correct to my
knowledge and belief and nothing material has been concealed
there from.
DEPONENT
47
DEPONENT
VERIFICATION
Verified at New Delhi on this 17 day of July 2020 that the
contents of the above affidavit are true and correct to my
knowledge and belief and nothing material has been concealed
there from.
�I =
DEPONENT
48
ANNEXURE P-1
THE INSTITUTE OF COMPANY SECRETARIES OF INDIA
In Pursuit of Professional Excellence
8th July, 2019
MCA/PD: 2019
Shri Injeti Srinivas, IAS
Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Government of India
Shastri Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road
New Delhi 110001
Sir,
Ref: Letter No. 17/33/2019-CL-V dated 17th June,2019, received on
19th June, 2019 With reference to the above captioned letter, the
Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) respectfully
submits as under:
1. The ICSI welcomes the initiatives of Ministry of Corporate
Affairs (MCA) to weed out inactive companies and
disqualified directors, protect the public money, overcome
the financial irregularities and increase the effectiveness of
the governance mechanism. India is perhaps the only
country where a form like INC-22A (ACTIVE) is
introduced. Clearly, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
(MCA) is expecting to achieve significantly high level of
governance norms and compliance mechanism. With this
move, MCA has indicated that there is no room for inactive
companies in the Registry of MCA.
2. That, upon receipt of the above mentioned letter dated 17 th
June 2019 from MCA along with representation of
stakeholders, a Special Meeting of the Council of ICSI was
convened on 27th June 2019, to have detailed deliberations
on the matter. Each of the said representations that were
49
annexed to the said letter were deliberated threadbare. The
individual responses to each representation are separately
enclosed herewith and marked as ‘Annexure A’. Further, the
views of the Council of ICSI are submitted in the paragraphs
herein below for your kind consideration. The concerns
raised in the representations primarily relate to various issues
like providing exemption to private companies, small
companies, government companies, sick companies and
dormant companies from filing FORM INC 22A (ACTIVE),
In some of the cases, it is noted that non-appointment of
Company Secretary has been cited as an impediment in
filing the Form INC 22A (ACTIVE).
3. That in all the said letters, there is criticism of various
initiatives of the Government, citing one difficulty or the
other, whereas such initiatives viz. DIR-3 KYC, INC-22A
(ACTIVE), DPT-3, SBO provisions etc. Are focused to
promote governance and transparency in corporate India.
There was a recent drive by the MCA to carry out director’s
KYC and the MCA has taken a firm stand whereby
non-compliant directors were disqualified and
non-compliant companies were struck off from the registry
of MCA, similarly, to make a compliant corporate India,
Company KYC drive by way of Form INC-22A (ACTIVE)
has been initiated bythe MCA, which every company is
required to comply. In case any of the company could not
comply with such initiatives of the government, such
non-compliant Company should get marked as inactive.
4. That, such defiant attitude was witnessed at the time of
launch of MCA 21 e- governance program and also the
history repeated itself when the Companies Act, 2013 was
50
introduced. But the MCA has been constantly strengthening
the compliance and governance framework. It can be
observed that the persons who have made representations are
all approaching with a negative mindset, and pleading
ignorance of law as an excuse.
5. That those companies which are citing paid up capital as an
issue have an option reduction of paid up capital but they
have not chosen to reduce their paid up capital in last 5
years, since introduction of the Companies Act 2013, The
companies having paid up share capital of Rs. 5 Crore or
more, there is a requirement of appointment of a whole-time
Company Secretary , as the very idea of the Government is
to graduate such companies to a compliance driven and a far
more governed platform, so that such companies could be
bench marked vis-a-vis best governed companies, globally.
By doing so, the government seeks to have better corporate
governance standards for such companies.
6. That, these companies have also requested the MCA to drop
all the new forms introduced by MCA in view of ease of
doing business. As you are already aware that the World
Bank has released its latest doing business report (DBR,
2019) on 31st October 2018, wherein India has recorded a
jump of 23 positions against its rank of 100 in 2017 to be
placed now at 77th rank among 190 countries assessed by the
World Bank. This itself proves that the compliances
introduced by the MCA have not been a hurdle in the Ease
of Doing Business but has been an enabler for the same.
That, if we closely look at the parameters on which the
ranking is based, it aims at simplifying the procedure and
time involved in carrying out the compliances, whereas the
51
appointment of Company Secretary is to ensure the
compliances as an “officer in default” and also a “key
Managerial Personnel” under the Companies Act, 2013 and
the rules made there under.
7. That, the MCA has been initiating the ease of doing business
by making events online and reducing the overall time taken
and by making e-forms dynamic to the extent that various
forms have even been categorized in STP mode and now the
stakeholders get approval at the click of the button. But,
despite such initiatives, there has been a tendency by handful
of non-compliant persons to criticize and blame the system.
In the past few years, the MCA has proposed various
amendments in view of Ease of Doing business and kept
only essential requirements which every corporate must
follow.
8. That, one of total active companies, i.e. Approx. 11 lakh
companies, only 39,805 companies are required to appoint a
whole-time Company Secretary. We wish to submit that as
on 1st July 2019, ICSI has 58,690 Company Secretaries on
its register out of which only 10,644 are in practice.
Accordingly, sufficient numbers of Company Secretaries are
available to serve the Corporate India. Further, ICSI through
its dedicated placement placement cell provides placement
services to corporate to meet the demand and supply of the
Company Secretaries across the country.
9. That, in view of the aforesaid, keeping in mind the role of
Company Secretaries in enhancing governance standards
internally within the corporate, we wish to submit that the
present parameters for appointment of company secretary
which are framed by the MCA after a lot of public debate
52
and deliberations are absolutely aligned with the present
requirements; and therefore, to be kept intact. Needless to
mention that the level of compliance as envisaged by the
Government is rising day by day.
We shall be pleased to provide any further information or
clarification in this regards on hearing from your goodself.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(CS Ashok Kumar Dixit)
Officiating Secretary
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
25thJuly, 2019
MCA/PD: 2019
Sir,
letter dated 17th June, 2019 were submitted on 9th July, 2019. The
please.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
NOTIFICATION
2013) read with section 469 of the said Act, the Central
the said rules, in sub-rule (1), (i) after clause (b), at the end the
word “or” shall be inserted. (ii) after clause (b), the following
borrowings as the case may be, existing on the last date of latest
2014 and lastly amended vide number G.S.R. 875(E), dated the
Date Particulars
25th February, 2019 Notification of e-Form INC-22A
62
(ACTIVE), which was much appreciated
by stakeholders
15th June, 2019 Last Date of filling e-Form INC-22A
Subsequently, large number of
companies were marked as Active Non
Complaint due to non-filling of e-Form
INC-22A and one of the reason was
non-appointment of Company Secretary
17th June, 2019 Letter from MCA forwarding
representations from various
stakeholders expressing difficulties in
filling e-Form INC-22A
22nd June, 2019 Writ petition filed before the Hon’ble
Court of Delhi against existing threshold
limits for mandatory appointment of
Company Secretaries
27th June, 2019 Special Council Meeting convened to
deliberate on above issue
8th July, 2019 Response from ICSI to MCA Letter
requesting status quo on Rule 8A which
was also hosted at ICSI website
8th July, 20169 Letter from MCA forwarding further
representations
10th July, 2019 Decision of the Special Council meeting
hosted at ICSI website
25th July, 2019 ICSI response to MCA Letter which was
simultaneously hosted at ICSI website
and was followed by several meetings
with MCA
30th July, 2019 Issues raised by one Member of
Parliament in Rajya Sabha on mandatory
appointment of Company Secretaries
and response of Hon’ble Minister of
Finance and Corporate Affairs on the
floor of the House being principle
stakeholder, ICSI approached MCA to
understand the rationale for considering
revision in limits under Rule 8A
5th October, 2019 Special Council Meeting followed by
meeting with MCA to brief the decision
of the meeting
63
In view of requirements of filling e-Form INC-22A,
representations against rule 8A and also writ petition in the
Hon’ble High Court (suprisingly by our own members), MCA
started considering the revision in the limit. It was because of
your Institute’s continuous involvement and representations, the
enhancement in limits has been limited to Rs.10 crore only and
not beyond.
We wish to place on record that the Corporates have resposed
faith and confidence on our members because of their skills,
knowledge, capability and for value they create for the
organization and not because of merely statutory requirement.
We believe, that impact of the Amendment Rules may not be
significant as number of ACTIVE non-compliant companies are
still very large in number which provides ample scope for the
employment of company secretaries.
CS Ranjeet Pandey
President
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
ICSI/Sec/1/2020
9th January,2020
To,
The Chairmen and Member of the regional Councils, ICSI
The Chairmen and Members of the Managing Committees of the
Chapters, ICSI
The Regional Directors/Executive Officers/I/C Chapters
The Director- CCGRT, Navi MUMBAI, I/C-COE Hyderabad
SD/-
(CS. Ashok Kumar Dixit)
Officiating Secretary, ICSI
PD: MCA/Jan
Sir,
in the minds of our members and students and there has been lot
are increasing and it is this need that has led to rise of the
following suggestions:
SUGGESTION -1:
Explanation- For the purpose of this sub rule, the paid up share
Explanation:- For the purpose of this sub rule, the paid up share
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully
Sd/-
(CS Ranjeet Pandey)
President
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
TRUE COPY
71
ANNEXURE P-7
Dated : 11.01.2020
To,
Mr. Ranjeet Pandey
President ICSI
The Institute of Company Secretary of India
ICSI House, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi - 11000
Dear sir,
Thanking you,
SD/-
Suman Kumar
M. No. FCS 5824.
Address : 22/11, 2nd Floor, Back Side, Near Patel Park,
West Patel Nagar, New Delhi - 110008.
Mobile No. +91 9958299558
Sir,
Subject: Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of
Managerial Personnel) Amendment Rules, 2020 notified on 3 rd
January, 2020
Further to our letter dated 10th January, 2020 on the above
mentioned subject wherein it was submitted that the alteration in
the limits for mandatory appointment of whole time Company
secretaries from rupees 5 (five) crores to rupees 10(ten) crore, it
has caused apprehension for loss of employment in the minds of
our members and students.
We wish to reiterate that a Company Secretary is recognized as
Compliance Officer under the Companies Act as well as by other
Regulators such as Securities Exchange Board of India. His role
includes advising the board on good governance practices and
compliance of rules and regulations. He commands high position
in the value chain and acts as conscience keeper of the company.
The Company Secretary is a unique interface between the board
and management and as such acts as an important link between
the board and the stake holders.
75
The Company Secretary has an important role to play in
organizing and implementation of decisions of Board, its
Committees and the general body meetings mandated under law.
With greater focus on governance, the stakeholders expectations
are increasing and it is this need that has led to rise of the
importance of role of Company Secretary.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(CS Ashok Kumar Dixit)
Officiating Secretary
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
ANNEXURE-P-9
4. Number of Managing director or director(s) for which the form is being filed
Hereby confirmed that the above mentioned Director Managingdirector xviii is not associated with the company
with effect from (DD/MM/YYYY) xix due to
xxiii *Name
xxiv *Address
7. Details of manager(s), secretary(s), Chief Financial Officer or Chief Executive Officer of the company
viii Father's
ix name
First Name BALKRISHNA
x Middle Name SHRIRAM
Attachments
List of attachments
80
Attach Resignation Letter Resolution ShyamKayte
(1) Declaration by first director
(2) Declaration of the appointee director Attach
in Form No. DIR-2;
(3) Notice of resignation; Attach
Declaration
* Designation Director
I declare that I have been duly engaged for the purpose of certification of this form.
It is hereby certified that I have gone through the provisions of the Companies Act,
2013 and Rules thereunder for the subject matter of this form and matters incidental
thereto and I have verified the above particulars (including attachment(s)) from the
original/certified records maintained by the Company/applicant which is subject
matter of this form and found them to be true, correct and complete and no
information material to this form has been suppressed. I further certify that :
The said records have been properly prepared, signed by the required officers of
the Company and maintained as per the relevant provisions of the Companies
Act, 2013 and were found to be in order ;
All the required attachments have been completely and legibly attached to this
form;
It is understood that I shall be liable for action under Section 448 of The
Companies Act, 2013 for wrong certification, if any found at any stage.
Di g it al ly s i g ne d by SANDEEP I GANDHI
IGANDHI 31 56 3 61 5 e6 dd 3 54 b5 6 23 7a 0 45 a 4e 97 c2 9d 2
p ostn=SA
1 41,c al C oN
d e= 40 0 0 6 9, st=
DEEPIGAND HI Ma h ar a sht ra,
seri al N um ber= 4a 2c b3 9 d4 07 4 da 5 0fc8 b1 6 00
d2c bffd b2 3 0c6 6 73 afb 9d a 82 d7 2f5 9 82 e8 b d4
Chartered accountant (in whole-time practice) or Cost accountant (in whole-time practice) or
Company secretary (in whole-time practice)
* Whether Associate or fellow Associate
FellowMembership number 6721
This eForm has been taken on file maintained by the Registrar of companies through electronic mode and on the
basis of statement of correctness given by the filing company.
DS Ministryof
Affairs 2 3
DN: c=IN, postalCode=400002, st=Ma har asht ra,
street =M arin e
Drive,Bha gvan das Todi Mar g,M arin eLines ,Mu m
TRUE COPY
83
ANNEXURE P-10
The Relevant Extracts of Annual Report 2018-2019 of
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
CHAPTER – III
Registration and Closure of Companies
S. Description No. of
No. Companies
84
1 Total Companies Registered 1,873,044
2 Companies closed 670,018
3 Dormant u/ s 455 of 1,615
Companies Act, 2013
4 Inactive u/ s 455 of 6,327
Companies Act, 2013
5 Companies under process for 38,610
closure
6 Active In-Progress (Inactive 100
companies under 21-day
window for completion of
pending filing)
7 Active Companies (1-2-3-4- 1,156,374
5-6)
Topics
Bank Fraud
New Delhi: Of over 50,000 frauds that hit banks in India in the
last 11 fiscal years, the ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI)
and HDFC Bank reported highest number of cases, according to
an RBI data.
Of the total 53,334 cases of frauds reported during 2008-09 and
2018-19 fiscal years, involving a whopping ₹2.05 lakh crore, a
highest of 6,811 were reported by the ICICI Bank
involving ₹5,033.81 crore.
The state-run State Bank of India (SBI) reported 6,793 fraud
cases involving ₹23,734.74 crore followed by HDFC Banks
which recorded 2,497 such cases involving ₹1,200.79 crore,
according to the data given by the central bank in response to an
RTI query filed by this correspondent.
The Bank of Baroda reported 2,160 fraud cases
(involving ₹12,962.96 crore), Punjab National Bank 2,047 frauds
92
( ₹28,700.74 crore) and Axis Bank had 1,944 fraud cases
involving RS 5,301.69 crore public money.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/banking/bank-frauds-worth-
rs-2-05-trillion-happened-in-last-11-years-reveals-rbi-data-
1560335835680.html
ANNEXURE-P-16
THE RELEVANT EXTRACTS OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF 2018-2019
OF MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Total 1,778
6.6.5 The Progress of prosecutions during the last three years from 2015-16 to 2018-19 is
indicatedinTable6.4:
Table 6.4.
Progress of Prosecution during the last three Years
r 1
(2)
Number of companies prosecuted
(3)
2,308
(4)
1,764
J (5)
958
during the year
2 Number of prosecutions started 4,522 3,972 2,573
during the year
3 Number of prosecutions pending at 46,979 48,987 44,278
the beginning of the year
4 Number of prosecutions disposed 2,513 8,681 12,886
during the year
ANNEXURE P-17
Date: 13.07.2020
To,
1. The Secretary,
Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
Shastri Bhawan,
Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi - 110001.
iv. Not only this, the listed entities which have collected
106
in the market.
The Companies Act, 2013 has replaced the Companies
Act, 1956 with the core objective of self governance,
great transparency and being more stringent towards the
violation of the provisions of the enactment. Since, 2009
all the companies having the paid up capital of Rs 5
Crores or more, it was mandatory for them to hire the
company secretary for ensuring the compliances of the
Companies Act and other enactments and watch the
interest of the investors, company and other stake holders.
As per the report dated 01.01.2015, data dated
31.12.2014, there were 11,532 companies holding the
total paid up capital of Rs 83,376.46 Crores. The above
said amendment is not only serious compromise with the
Corporate Governance of those companies rather also
impacts the employment and livelihood of more than 11
thousand company secretaries across the country and
more than 4 Lakhs students across the country preparing
for being the member s of the ICSI.
The amendment is arbitrary being passed without
ascertaining any need, cause of action and without
application of mind, ignoring the representations sent by
the Statuary body i.e. Institute of Companies Secretary
(“I.C.S.I.”).
Rule 8A of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of
Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014
OLD RULE w.e.f. 31.03.2014 NEW RULE w.e.f.
01.04.2020
A company other than a company Every private company
120
non complying the same and have never raised this issue at any
time in the past and have non- complied the expressed
provisions during the financial year 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18
and 2018-19.
That the applicant has analyzed the emails forwarded by the
different corporate entities and their agents to the Ministry OF
Corporate Affairs which was forwarded to the ICSI and the
ICSI has already addressed all the queries. It was during the
analysis it was noticed that out of 34 grievances forwarded to
the MCA only 10 were relating to non availability of Company
Secretaries with the ulterior motives to avoid compliances and
these entities were not complying this provision for appointment
of company secretaries from the long time. The said analysis is
presented herewith in tabular mode for your kind consideration
which reflects that the said enhancement is arbitrary in nature
and need to be reviewed.
Sl. No. Name of the Company/ Remarks of the Applicant
Stakeholders
1. Chartered Accountant A. No Merit. Chartered Accountant
John Morris, Chennai. firm- The issue raised with
Letter Dated 09.04.2019. professional biasness.
2. G V K Power & The company has already company
Infrastructure Ltd. secretary since 01.10.2005 namely
Letter dated 04.04.2019 Mr. Puni Venkata Rama Seshu
(PAN- ACUPP3819Q). Hence the
grievances raised with malicious
intents without being the interested
party and is a big corporate house
as it reflects from assets and
charges as per the master data of
MCA.
122
Pvt Ltd
5. Bikanervala Foods Pvt ltd 85,00,000 4000 Cr.
6. Rolls Royce India Pvt Ltd 1,03,72,70 100-500 Cr.
7. Himalaya Drug Co. Pvt. 1,00,200 1800 Cr.
Ltd.
Therefore, in view of the data reproduced, it can be said that
Paid-up capital of the company is one of the criteria to represent
the size of the company other than turnover, net worth, loans
and borrowings. Company even with less paid-up capital can
have large economic activity and turnover. It can be said that
the value of Rs. 5 crore paid-up capital is enough for carrying
various large activities with or without the help of the various
banks, NBFCs, financial institutions and other financial support
and hence the requirement of the company secretary for the
capital of Rs. 5 Crore or more is fully justified.
Therefore, even a company with a small paid up capital can
have huge turn over and it deals with various banks and
financial institutions. It has also been noticed in the past that
small corporate entities are more utilized for ulterior motives
being either fake, fabricated and have been created for
malicious intent or objective and therefore more governance is
needed in these companies to avoid its mis utilization. It have
been noticed that various companies remains the part of the
white collar crimes or have been utilized for malicious, illegal
economic activities. The striking of the company or declaring a
defunct without any action gives very bad message to the public
at large.
That the MCA in the year 2014 had notified Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel)
Rules, 2014 which got notified on 31.03.2014 and vide Rule 8,
131
Table 6.3(B)
139
GOVERNANCE WARRIORS:
Company Secretary- A Catalyst to good governance.
Good governance relates to systems of supervision, monitoring and
sharing of information with the stakeholders to generate confidence and
trust with the customers, suppliers, creditors and maximizing corporate
value for its shareholders. Although Corporate Governance varies
across countries, there is growing consensus about the need for four key
elements – transparency, fairness to all stakeholders, disclosures of all
the financial and non financial information in an easily understandable
manner and supervision of the company’s activities by professionally
competent and independent Board of Directors. To build the
confidence, it is desirable that some system be in place, firstly to ensure
due compliance of laws and secondly to bring transparency in
informing the shareholders and other stakeholders about how the
business is being managed.
It is here that the company secretary, as an integrated manager, fills the
gap. He not only advises the Board on various compliance requirements
and co- ordinates and translates the policies of the Board into action,
but also communicates the same to stakeholders.
The Company Secretary has all along been conceived as an extended
arm of the Government for the purpose of ensuring compliance of
various laws by the companies and is recognized under the MRTP Act,
Income Tax Act and various other statutes as the principal officer of the
company.
In 1956, when the Companies Bill was led before the Parliament the
then Finance Minister Late Shri. D.C. Deshmukh had assured the
Parliament that the Companies Act would be amended in due course so
as to ensure that every company should have a qualified Company
Secretary analogue to the provision of the UK Companies Act. In 1970
when the system of managing agents and secretaries and treasurers was
143
provisions that who will operate the company and have prescribed the
minimum number of persons for the administration of the company.
Sec 203 of the Companies Act, 2013 extracts presented herein below:
“203. Appointment of key managerial personnel
(1) Every company belonging to such class or classes of companies as
may be prescribed shall have the following whole-time key managerial
personnel,—
(i) Managing director, or Chief Executive Officer or manager and in
their absence, a whole-time director;
(ii) Company secretary; and
(iii) Chief Financial Officer……..
(2) Every whole-time key managerial personnel of a company shall be
appointed by means of a resolution of the Board containing the terms
146
2. Section 205 of the Companies Act, 2013 has described the functions of
a Company Secretary:
“205. Functions of company secretary
(1) The functions of the company secretary shall include,—
(a) To report to the Board about compliance with the provisions of this
Act, the rules made there under and other laws applicable to the
company;
(b) To ensure that the company complies with the applicable secretarial
standards;
(c) To discharge such other duties as may be prescribed.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, the expression
“secretarial standards” means secretarial standards issued by the
Institute of Company Secretaries of India constituted under section 3 of
the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 and approved by the Central
Government.
(2) The provisions contained in section 204 and section 205 shall not
affect the duties and functions of the Board of Directors, chairperson of
the company, managing director or whole-time director under this Act,
or any other law for the time being in force.
company as under:
Sec 2 (51) “key managerial personnel”, in relation to a company,
means—
(i) The Chief Executive Officer or the managing director or the
manager;
(ii) The company secretary;
(iii) The whole-time director;
(iv) The Chief Financial Officer; and
(v) Such other officer as may be prescribed;
148
4. Further Sec 2(59) & 2 (60) has defined Officer and Officer who is in
and such other authorities as required under the provisions of the Act;
(4) To represent before various regulators, and other authorities under the
Act in connection with discharge of various duties under the Act;
(5) To assist the Board in the conduct of the affairs of the company;
(6) To assist and advise the Board in ensuring good Corporate Governance
and in complying with the Corporate Governance requirements and best
practices; and
(7) To discharge such other duties as have been specified under the Act or
rules; and
(8) Such other duties as may be assigned by the Board from time to time.
CRITERIA WHEN SERVICES OF CS & PCS ARE REQUIRED BASED ON
LIMITS:
country.
(viii) The ministry has further forwarded letter dated
08.07.2019 which was received by the ICSI on
09.07.2019 containing 18 more grievances sent by
different stake holders for the comments of the
ICSI. Out of the 18 grievances 12 were not related
to appointment of company secretaries and it was
pertaining to other concerns. Further, out of 18, 4
have raised the grievances that they are not able to
find a company secretary or there is a deficit of
members in the market. These allegations were
completely bogus and it has been raised ulterior
motives to continue the non compliances of the
express provisions of law.
(ix) The ICSI has addressed and made its comments
individually on all the grievances of the stake
holders and reiterated that “We, once again,
reiterate that the present parameters for
appointment of company secretary which are
framed by the MCA after a lot of public debate and
deliberations are absolutely aligned with the
present requirements; and therefore, need to be
kept intact. Needless to mention that the level of
compliance as envisaged by the Government is
rising day by day.
(x) That M.C.A. amended the Rule 8A of the
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of
Managerial Personnel) 2014 in a hasty manner
without considering the suggestions and
recommendations sent by the statuary body i.e.
170
Suman Kumar
FCS- 5824
22/11, Second Floor (Back Side),
West Patel Nagar, New Delhi – 110008.
Email Id: [email protected]
Mob: 9958299558.
TRUE COPY
176
TO,
THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA
& THE COMPANION JUSTICES
OF HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
HUMBLE PETITION OF ABOVE-
NAMED PETITIONERS
PRAYER
Filed By:
Pranab Prakash
Advocate for Petitioners
Drawn by: Shashank Deo Sudhi, Advocate
Drawn on : 17.07.2020
Filed On: 17.07.2020
178
TO,
THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA
& THE COMPANION JUSTICES
OF HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
HUMBLE PETITION OF ABOVE-
NAMED PETITIONERS
4. That the Notification is bad in law, it has been clarified that the
amendment introduced therein suffer from manifest
arbitrariness.
PRAYER
(b) Pass any other order (s) and direction (s) that this Hon’ble
Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and
circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice.
Filed By:
Pranab Prakash
Advocate for Petitioners
Drawn by: Shashank Deo Sudhi, Advocate
Drawn on : 17.07.2020
Filed On: 17.07.2020
THE SUPREME COURT OF !NIDA
CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
(CIVIL EXTRAORDINARY JURISDICTION)
VAKALA TNAMA
I, Suman Kumar, aged about 45 years, S/o Late Sh. Arjun Prasad Singh,
R/o 22/11, Second Floor, Near Patel Park, West Patel Nagar, New Delhi-I 10008, do
hereby appoint and retain and Advocates of Supreme Court of India to act and
appear for me in the above Petition on my behalf to conduct and prosecute (or defend)
or withdraw the same and all proceedings that may be taken in respect of any
application connected with the same or any decree or order passed therein, including
proceedings in taxation and application for Review, to file and obtain return of
documents and to deposit and receive money on my behalf in the said Petition and
in application for Review and to represent me and to take all necessary steps on
my/our behalf in the above matter. I agree to ratify all acts done by the aforesaid
Advocate_ in pursuance of this Authority.
Dated this the day of July 2020. =-::'cc'.'.·· ==�
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= -�t. �...,.=-��_.,. .>
PETITIONER
Accepted, Identified & Certified
PRAKASH Digitally signed by
PRAKASH PRANAB
[Pranab Prakash]
Advocate-on-record
Advocate for the Petitioners
Chamber 20-A (R.K Garg Block)
Supreme Court of India
Code No. 2660
MEMO OF APPEARANCE
To,
The Registrar,
Supreme Court of India,
New Delhi.
Sir,
Yours faithfully,
PRAKASH PRANAB Digitally signed by PRAKASH PRANAB
[Pranab Prakash]
Date: 2020.07.16 20:31:08 +05'30'
Advocate-on-record
Advocate for the Petitioner
Chamber 20-A (R.K Garg Block)
Supreme Court of India
Code No.2660
Date: 17.07.2020