Investigation into affairs of company
Section 210 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with investigation into affairs of company. Where the Central Government is of the opinion, that it is necessary to investigate into the affairs of a company,-- (a) on the receipt of a report of the Registrar or inspector under section 208; The Act came into force on 01 Apr 2014.
(1) Where the Central Government is of the opinion, that it is necessary to investigate into the affairs of a company,--
(a) on the receipt of a report of the Registrar or inspector under section 208;
(b) on intimation of a special resolution passed by a company that the affairs of the company ought to be investigated; or
(c) in public interest,
it may order an investigation into the affairs of the company.
(2) Where an order is passed by a court or the Tribunal in any proceedings before it that the affairs of a company ought to be investigated, the Central Government shall order an investigation into the affairs of that company.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the Central Government may appoint one or more persons as inspectors to investigate into the affairs of the company and to report thereon in such manner as the Central Government may direct.
Section 210, The Companies Act, 2013 (Act 18 of 2013).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
Referred to by 7
- s. 212 Investigation into affairs of company by Serious Fraud Investigation Office
- s. 214 Security for payment of costs and expenses of investigation
- s. 218 Protection of employees during investigation
- s. 219 Power of inspector to conduct investigation into affairs of related companies, etc
- s. 282 Directions of Tribunal on report of Company Liquidator
- s. 457 Non-disclosure of information in certain cases
- Insurance Act s. 33 Power of investigation and inspection by Authority
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Exalogic Solutions Private Limited vs The Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The Court held that an interim report of an inquiry ordered into the affairs of a company under section 210 is a sufficient statutory foundation for the Central Government to assign the investigation to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office under section 212, whereupon the Registrar's inquiry ceases and the records are transferred; the company has no right to prior notice or hearing at that stage, natural justice operating at the adjudication stage and not at the investigation stage.
On this section: Explains when and how an inquiry begun under section 210 may be converted into an SFIO investigation, and fixes the very narrow scope of judicial review of a section 210 order at the investigation stage.
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Rohit Rabindranath.m vs The Union of India
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The Court distinguished section 210 from section 212, holding that an investigation into a company's affairs directed by a court under section 210(2) is procedurally valid, that the Central Government must form its own opinion before assigning the matter to the SFIO, and that the citation of an inappropriate statutory provision in the order does not by itself vitiate the investigation or the summons issued in it.
On this section: Applies section 210(2) directly, upholding a court-directed investigation under that sub-section and holding a mis-citation of the enabling provision not fatal.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… Looking to the above facts, it is stated that the Company had collected huge money from public and diverted to Land Owning companies, Collaborators, Joint Venture partners and its Associate Companies. Even it failed to recover the amount given to its debtors. Therefore, a detailed investigation under Section 210 of the Companies Act, 2013 is required not only in case of this company but also in the matter of it holding company namely Alchemist Infra Ventures Limited and other Group/Associate companies/Land Owning …
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… Government shall order an investigation into the affairs of that company. - (3) For the purposes of this section, the Central Government may appoint one or more persons as inspectors to investigate into the affairs of the company and to report thereon in such manner as the Central Government may direct. 16. Section 210 of the Companies Act outlines the circumstances under which the Central Government of India can order an investigation into the affairs of a company. The section states that the Central Government can order an investigation if they receive a report from the Registrar or inspector under Section 208, if a company …
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… The Appeal has been admitted and is listed. On account of Covid situation, the Appellate Tribunal is not holding sittings. While so, the 3rd respondent issued a notice to the petitioner proposing investigation of the affairs of the 5th respondent-Company invoking Section 210 of the Companies Act. The said proposal is pursuant to the directions contained in Ext.P1 order of the NCLT, Kochi. 4. The writ petition was filed contending that if the 3rd respondent is permitted to proceed against Ext.P3 while the petitioner has approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, it would …
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument states that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Another 3 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 210
What have the courts held on Section 210 of the Companies Act?
Exalogic Solutions Private Limited vs The Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (16 Feb 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Explains when and how an inquiry begun under section 210 may be converted into an SFIO investigation, and fixes the very narrow scope of judicial review of a section 210 order at the investigation stage. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2018 to 2024.
How do I find court cases under Section 210 of the Companies 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: Companies Act 210, section 210 Companies Act, section 210 of the Companies Act. People searching for it also type companies act 1948 section 210. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Exalogic Solutions Private Limited vs The Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (16 Feb 2024).
What should I read with Section 210 of the Companies Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 208 (Report on inspection made), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 7 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently Chapter XIV- The Companies (Inspection, Investigation and Inquiry) Rules, 2014. (2014).
When did Section 210 of the Companies Act come into force?
Section 210 of the Companies Act, cited as Companies Act 210, came into force on 01 Apr 2014, having been enacted on 29 Aug 2013. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions5089 words
- 143. Powers and duties of auditors and auditing standards1867 words
- 230. Power to compromise or make arrangements with creditors and members1432 words
- 232. Merger and amalgamation of companies1416 words
- 149. Company to have Board of Directors1403 words
- 217. Procedure, powers, etc., of inspectors1390 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.