Offences by companies
Section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 deals with offences by companies. Where an offence or contravention under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence or contravention was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to b The Act came into force on 01 Oct 2003.
(1) Where an offence or contravention under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence or contravention was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence or contravention 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 provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence or contravention was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence or contravention.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence or contravention under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence or contravention has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of the offence or contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section,--
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
Section 57, The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Act 18 of 2003).
Questions about Section 57
What does Section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act deal with?
Section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act is headed "Offences by companies". Where an offence or contravention under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence or contravention was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to b
How do I find court cases under Section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Biological Diversity Act 57, section 57 Biological Diversity Act, section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act come into force?
Section 57 of the Biological Diversity Act, cited as Biological Diversity Act 57, came into force on 01 Oct 2003, having been enacted on 05 Feb 2003. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions671 words
- 62. Power of Central Government to make rules540 words
- 19. Approval by National Biodiversity Authority for undertaking certain activities421 words
- 36. Central Government to develop national strategies and plans for conservation, promotion and sustainable use of biological diversity417 words
- 41. Constitutions of Biodiversity Management Committees372 words
- 50. Settlement of disputes354 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 21 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.