Offences by companies.

15. (1) If the person behind harrassment, intimidation or violence is a company the Committee after examination of complaint and providing opportunity of hearing to both the parties shall be punished with the penalty which may extend to ten thousand Rupees.

Provided that, nothing contained in this section shall render any person liable to punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence:

Provided further that, where a person is nominated as a Director of a company by virtue of his holding any office or employment in the Central Government or State Government or a financial corporation owned or controlled by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, he shall not be liable for punishment under this Section.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where any misconduct under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the misconduct has been committed with the consent or connivance of or is attributable to any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that misconduct and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,— (a) "Company" means any corporate body and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and (b) "Director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.

Provided further that, for any complaint being heard by the committee, and if, for the same complaint, any First Information Report is registered under relevant provisions of any act and taken under investigation, the committee shall not take any punitive action.