Section 171: Members’ right to inspect
This section is for ensuring that members have the right to inspect and access the company's register and receive copies of its contents.
The section, clause by clause
What the section says
In plain terms
(1)The register kept under sub-section (1) of section 170,—
The register must be open for inspection during business hours, and members can take extracts and copies free of cost within 30 days of requesting them, and it must also be available at annual general meetings for attendees to access.
(1)(a)shall be open for inspection during business hours and the members shall have a right to take extracts therefrom and copies thereof, on a request by the members, be provided to them free of cost within thirty days; and
(1)(b)shall also be kept open for inspection at every annual general meeting of the company and shall be made accessible to any person attending the meeting.
(2)If any inspection as provided in clause (a) of sub-section (1) is refused, or if any copy required under that clause is not sent within thirty days from the date of receipt of such request, the Registrar shall on an application made to him order immediate inspection and supply of copies required thereunder.
If a member's request to inspect the register or receive a copy is refused, or the copy is not sent within 30 days, the Registrar can order immediate inspection and supply of copies upon application.
The right-hand column is written from the section text, not quoted from it, and it has no legal force. Where the two differ, the left-hand column is the law.
Amendment notes
- 1. Subs. by Act 29 of 2020, s. 35, for section 35 (w.e.f. 21-12-2020).
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Reproduced from the official India Code print for reference. Check the current text on India Code before you rely on it, and read the section alongside its Rules. Nothing here is legal advice.