B. Offences by companies.- (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed, by a company, every person who, at

Provided that, nothing contained in sub-section

1. (1) shall render any such person liable to any 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.
2. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where any offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence was 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 be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be, liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section,-
   • (a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
   • (b) "director" in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm".