Section 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.
(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.