Section328
The Companies Act, 2013

Fraudulent preference

In force From 01 Apr 2014 Act 18 of 2013 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 18 of 2013 Ministry Corporate Affairs Enacted 29 Aug 2013 In force 01 Apr 2014 Cited by 1 provision

Section 328 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with fraudulent preference. Where a company has given preference to a person who is one of the creditors of the company or a surety or guarantor for any of the debts or other liabilities of the company, and the company does anything or suffers anything done which has the effect of putting that person into a position which, in The Act came into force on 01 Apr 2014.

(1) Where a company has given preference to a person who is one of the creditors of the company or a surety or guarantor for any of the debts or other liabilities of the company, and the company does anything or suffers anything done which has the effect of putting that person into a position which, in the event of the company going into liquidation, will be better than the position he would have been in if that thing had not been done prior to six months of making winding up application, the Tribunal, if satisfied that, such transaction is a fraudulent preference may order as it may think fit for restoring the position to what it would have been if the company had not given that preference.

(2) If the Tribunal is satisfied that there is a preference transfer of property, movable or immovable, or any delivery of goods, payment, execution made, taken or done by or against a company within six months before making winding up application, the Tribunal may order as it may think fit and may declare such transaction invalid and restore the position.

Section 328, The Companies Act, 2013 (Act 18 of 2013).

Cross-references

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Judgments citing this section

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  1. Supreme Court of India 17 Oct 2019 SCIN010381562017

    … We differ with the Division Bench inasmuch as the said agreement cannot be termed as a fraudulent preference under Section 531. Under Indian company law, Section 531 of the 1956 Act (now Section 328 of the Companies Act, 2013) is the cornerstone provision that lays down the requirements for a transaction to amount to a fraudulent preference. Framed along the lines of Section 320 of the English Companies Act of 1948, it provides that any act relating to the property of a company may qualify as a fraudulent …

    Read this order on eCourtsIndia

Questions about Section 328

What does Section 328 of the Companies Act deal with?

Section 328 of the Companies Act is headed "Fraudulent preference". Where a company has given preference to a person who is one of the creditors of the company or a surety or guarantor for any of the debts or other liabilities of the company, and the company does anything or suffers anything done which has the effect of putting that person into a position which, in

How do I find court cases under Section 328 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 328, section 328 Companies Act, section 328 of the Companies Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 328 of the Companies Act, and has it changed?

1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.

When did Section 328 of the Companies Act come into force?

Section 328 of the Companies Act, cited as Companies Act 328, 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

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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.