Out of business close private limited company

###Introduction
Just like how a procedure is laid down for the formation of a private limited company, the laws governing companies, in India, have laid down elaborate procedure for the closing of a private limited company. In legal terms, closing up of a company is called winding up. There are 4 mains reasons owing to which any private limited company in India could be wound up. The Companies Act, 2013 laid down the procedure for winding up of companies in the following ways or methods. They are as follows:-

###1. Voluntary winding up

When the company suo-motto decides to wind up its activities, the procedures and requirements are even more stringent than any other kind of winding up. The main objective behind laying such stringent procedures for both the formation and winding up of a company is to discourage any kind of Malpractice that anyone could possibly involve in the guise of forming or winding up of a private limited company.

Provisions governing Voluntary Winding up:

Section 255, 434(1)(c), 465 of the Companies Act,2013 read with Section 59 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

Procedure

• The act requires that the 1st step involved in voluntary winding up is that bad resolution must be passed by the board of directors with the required majority supporting or rather authorizing such winding up.

• Apart from a resolution by the board of directors, at least 3/4th the shareholders must vote in favour of winding up the company, thus passing a special resolution in the said manner. This resolution is made mandatory to ensure that the company is not wound up causing any prejudice to the interest of the shareholders.

• The company must also receive it in writing from the trade creditors, obtaining that they do not have any objection to the winding up of the company and the process is not done against their interest.

• The Company has to make a Declaration of solvency, showcasing the company’s credibility and ability to pay back it’s trade creditors. Once the above requirements are fulfilled, an official liquidator will be appointed by the company.

• The liquidator so appointed will make a report of the assets, liabilities, reserves, capital of the company.

• All the above-mentioned requirements and procedures should be duly documented and filed before the registrar of companies in the prescribed form. The registrar on satisfaction, shall pass an order removing the name of the company from the register of companies. It is important to note that even after the winding up of a company, the name of the company so wound up shall not be allotted or permitted to be used by any other existing company or prospective applicant for a minimum of 2 years.

###2. Compulsory winding up

A company in India that involves in any kind of fraudulent, unlawful act, Or any act that it contrary to the laws existing in India and affecting the countries internal peace, security or economy, such company would be subject to compulsory winding up by the Tribunal.

Provisions governing Compulsory Winding Up.

Section 271to 303 read with Chapter XX of the Companies Act, 2013

Procedure:-

The Compulsory winding up of a company is taken up by the tribunal only upon the application. The Petition for compulsory winding up of the company can be filed by the following:

• The Company itself or

• A Contributors to the company or

• Trade Creditors of the company or

• The Central or State Government or

• By the Registrar of the Companies

The next step in the procedure for filing of compulsory winding up is that Statement of Affairs of the Company must be enclosed along with the Petition filed for winding up. All the documents enclosed along with the petition should be audited by a certified and practicing Charted Accountant along with the opinion regarding the Financial Statement. Along with the above requirements, a 14 day notice as per Form 6 must be given to the public, which might be published in the local newspaper in the vernacular language. In order to enable the Tribunal with the liquidation or winding up procedure, the company is required to file Form 11. The following are some of the requirements of Form 11:

• Surrender the assets and the documents of the assets pertaining to the company,

• Provide the date, time and place for the Company Liquidator,

• Submit complete audited books of accounts up to the date of the order.

If the tribunal is satisfied that the accounts of the company are in order and all the requirements have been satisfied and complied with, the tribunal would pass the order within a period 60 days from the date of receipt of the application there by dissolving the company. Once such an order has been passed by the tribunal, a notice will be issued in the Official Gazette by the Registrar of companies announcing to the public that such company is dissolved.

###3. Sale of the company

Provision of Law

Section 180 of the Companies Act, 2013

This can be considered as another kind of voluntary winding up. Sale of a company as such is usually done by selling shares or majority shareholding of the company. Though it is not precisely a method in which a company could be wound up, the stakes of the company are transferred to another company or any such entity and the majority shareholders are discharged of their stocks and responsibilities.

###4. Winding up of defunct company or dormant company

Any company which has gained the status of a Dormant Company is called as a defunct company.
Dormant company is basically a company that has been registered but is not carrying on any kind of business activity or receiving any form of income. Therefore, it is considered as dormant (or inactive)

Provision of Law Involved

Section 248 of the Companies Act of 2013 lays down the procedures and process for the winding up of the defunct companies.

Procedure

Which has not commenced any business activity after its incorporation or No asset and no liability, and which has not been carrying on any business activities over last one year prior to making an application under Fast Track Exit Scheme (FTE).

Since no financial transactions take place in a dormant company, the law or the government per se provides certain benefits or concessions to these kinds of companies.

The fastest procedures for winding up of a defunct company is by filing Form STK-2. The form has to be duly signed by the director of the company who is authorized by its board to do so and the same must be filed with the Registrar of Companies.