Offences by companies

(1) Whenever an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, by every person, who at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, or was responsible to the company, as well as the company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly: provided that, nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment under this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge and that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.