Complete Guide of Winding up a Private Limited Company in India

What is Winding up of a Company

Closing a Private Limited Company, known as 'winding up,' involves liquidating its assets to settle obligations. Reasons vary—insolvency, inactivity—prompting this. Liquidation sells assets to pay debts, leading to dissolution. Failure to comply risks penalties or director disqualification. It's prudent to wind up an inactive or insolvent entity promptly. This process halts operations, sells assets to clear debts, and distributes remaining assets to shareholders. Under Section 270 of the Companies Act 2013, a private company can opt for voluntary or NCT-led winding up.

Reasons for Winding up of a Private Limited Company.

• Financial Insolvency: Inability to meet financial obligations or pay debts.
• Shareholder Disputes: Conflicts among shareholders affect company operations.
• Business Objective Achievement: Fulfilling the company's intended purpose or project completion.
• Lack of Profitability: Continuous losses or lack of sustainable revenue.
• Market Dynamics: Changes in the market affect the company's viability or relevance.
• Strategic Shifts: Change in business direction or objectives impacting the company's continuity.
• Regulatory Non-compliance: Failure to meet legal or compliance requirements.

Process of How to Close a Company.

The winding-up of the Company is done by two processes.

1. Compulsory Winding Up.

Compulsory winding up, being a serious legal procedure, is generally a last resort when a company's financial or operational situation becomes untenable or violates legal norms. It involves legal actions overseen by the court to ensure equitable treatment of all stakeholders involved. One of the critical conditions of Compulsory Winding Up that apply is the company's inability to settle its debts within a specified period, prompting creditors to seek legal recourse through a court petition.

• Inability to Pay Debts: When a company fails to clear debts, creditors may petition court for closure, aiming to recover dues.
• Unlawful Activities or Non-Compliance: Engaging in illegal practices or violating laws may prompt court-ordered closure.
• Failure in Statutory Obligations: Missing required meetings or filings might lead to compulsory winding up petitions.

Procedure for Compulsory Winding up of a Company.

1. Appointment of Liquidator: Once the Tribunal receives the petition, it appoints a liquidator to examine the debts and credits of the company and determine whether it is eligible for compulsory winding up.
2. Report by the Liquidator: Under Section 281 of the Act, a liquidator prepares a report stating the financial position of the company and suggesting appropriate action.
3. Dissolution order: On the basis of a report of the liquidator, the tribunal orders winding up of the company under section 282 of the Act. The assets of the company are placed in the custody of the liquidator to settle the claims of creditors and shareholders.
4. Final Dissolution Order: After evaluating the audit and report submitted by the liquidator, a court issues the final order for dissolution under Section 302 of the Act, through which the rights and obligations of all creditors are resolved.

2. Voluntary Winding up.

Voluntary winding up is a mode of winding up a company initiated by its shareholders or directors. Section 304 of the Companies Act, 2013, outlines two statutory conditions under which a company may opt for voluntary winding up.

1. In relation to the expiry of time or the happening of any event: If a general meeting of the company passes a resolution for voluntary winding up as a result of the expiry of the period specified in the articles or the happening of any event for which the articles provide passes. , Voluntary winding up, then the company can effect it.
2. Special Resolution: If the board of directors approves a special resolution to voluntarily wind up the company, the process can be initiated.

Procedure for Voluntary Winding up of a Company.

1. Board Meeting and Resolution: The directors convene a board meeting where they approve a resolution stating that they have examined the company's accounts and found no outstanding obligations. They also affirm that any remaining debts will be paid from the proceeds of the company's assets sold during the voluntary winding up process.
2. General Meeting and Resolution: Notices are sent to shareholders, calling for a general meeting to propose resolutions for the company's winding up. The resolutions must be accompanied by an explanatory statement. The shareholders pass either an ordinary resolution (by a simple majority) or a special resolution (by a 3/4 majority) to initiate the winding up process. The company's liquidation commences on the date of the resolution.
3. Creditors' Meeting: A creditors' meeting is held on the same day or the following day after the resolution for winding up is passed. If at least two-thirds of the creditors agree that winding up the company is in the best interests of all stakeholders, the company can proceed with voluntary winding up.
4. Appointment of Liquidator: Within ten days of passing the winding up resolution, the company must file a notice of appointment of a liquidator with the Registrar. The liquidator takes charge of the winding up process.
5. Submission of Resolutions: Certified copies of the resolutions passed in the general meeting must be sent to the Registrar within 30 days of the meeting.
6. Winding Up of Affairs: The affairs of the company are wound up by the liquidator, who prepares and audits the company's winding-up accounts.
7. Disposal of Books and Documents: Before the company's dissolution, a special resolution must be passed to dispose of the company's books and documents.
8. Application for Dissolution: Within two weeks of the general meeting, an application, along with the winding-up accounts, must be filed with the tribunal for an order of dissolution.
9. Order of Dissolution: Within 60 days of receiving the application, the tribunal issues an order dissolving the company.
10. Filing of Order: The company liquidator must file a copy of the dissolution order with the Registrar.
11. Notice in Official Gazette: Upon receiving a copy of the tribunal's order, the Registrar publishes a notice in the official gazette, signifying the company's dissolution.

What Documents are required for Winding up a Company

1. Certificate of Incorporation of the company.
2. Memorandum of association and Articles of Association of the company.
3. Certificate related to the closure of bank account of the company.
4. Copy of the Board Resolution.
5. Copy of the resolution of the creditors stating that three-fourth of members have accepted.
6. Statement of Accounts of the Company.
7. Winding Up Petition Form WIN 1 or WIN 2.
8. Statement of Affairs of the Company in the Format of Form WIN 4.
9. Affidavit of Concurrence in Format of Form WIN 5.
10. Advertisement in the Vernacular Newspaper Form WIN 6.
11. Appointment of Provisional Liquidator in the Format WIN 7 and 8.
12. Form STK-2 (Procedure for winding up a defunct or Dormant Company (This would only be used for the fast track procedure which is carried out by the courts).