Section Text
138. Winding up by High Court.-
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 391, section 392, section 433 and section 583 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), but without prejudice to its powers under sub-section (1) of section 37 of this Act, the High Court shall order the winding up of a banking company-
(a) if the banking company is unable to pay its debts; or
(b) if an application for its winding up has been made by the Reserve Bank under section 37 or this section.
(2) The Reserve Bank shall make an application under this section for the winding up of a banking company if it is directed so to do by an order under clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 35.
(3) The Reserve Bank may make an application under this section for the winding up of a banking company-
(a) if the banking company-
(i) has failed to comply with the requirements specified in section 11; or
(ii) has by reason of the provisions of section 22 become disentitled to carry on banking business in India; or
(iii) has been prohibited from receiving fresh deposits by an order under clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 35 or under clause (b) of subsection (3A) of section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934); or
(iv) having failed to comply with any requirement of this Act other than the requirements laid in section 11, has continued such failure, or, having contravened any provision of this Act continued such contravention beyond such period or periods as may be specified in that behalf by the Reserve Bank from time to time, after notice in writing of such failure or contravention has been conveyed to the banking company; or
(b) if in the opinion of the Reserve Bank-
(i) a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by a court in respect of the banking company cannot be worked satisfactorily with or without modifications; or
(ii) the returns, statements or information furnished to it under or in pursuance of the provisions of this Act disclose that the banking company is unable to pay its debts; or
(iii) the continuance of the banking company is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors.
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in section 434 of the Companies Act, 1956 (I of 1956) a banking company shall be deemed to be unable to pay its debts if it has refused to meet any lawful demand made at any of its offices or branches within two working days, if such demand is made at a place where there is an office, branch or agency of the Reserve Bank, or within five working days, if such demand is made elsewhere, and if the Reserve Bank certifies in writing that the banking company is unable to pay its debts.
(5) A copy of every application made by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (1) shall be sent by the Reserve Bank to the registrar. ]
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1. Substituted by Act 33 of 1959, Section 26, for the former section w.e.f. 1-10-1954.