Section 454 is a continuing offence and summons-triable, but prosecution failed to prove preliminary facts; accused acquitted

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

Full Text of the Document

X X   X X   Extracts   X X   X X

....The HC held that the offence under Section 454 of the Companies Act is a continuing offence and is summons-triable; however, the prosecution failed to discharge the initial burden of proving the preliminary facts (notice, lapse of prescribed time, availability of company records) necessary to establish wilful default so as to shift the evidential onus to the accused under the evidentiary provision. Because the prosecution did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the failure to file the statement of affairs was without reasonable excuse, the onus never shifted and all accused were acquitted.....