Tata Coffee Limited filed a complaint against its former employee, Ramla, under Section 452 of the Companies Act, 2013, for wrongfully withholding residential accommodation. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) returned the complaint, erroneously holding that criminal courts lack jurisdiction and that Section 452 was decriminalized by the 2020 amendment, believing adjudication falls under Adjudicating Officers.
Tata Coffee Limited (Petitioner/Complainant) filed a complaint against its former employee, Ramla (First Respondent/Accused).
The complaint alleged an offense under Section 452 of the Companies Act, 2013, for wrongfully withholding residential accommodation provided to Ramla.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Thrissur, returned the complaint via an order dated 13.02.2026.
The CJM held that penalties under Section 452 are to be adjudicated by an Adjudicating Officer appointed under the Companies Act, and not by any criminal Court.
The CJM also declared that no criminal Court has jurisdiction to take cognizance of an allegation under Section 452 of the Companies Act after the amendment made in the year 2020.
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Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Thrissur,…
The Criminal Revision…
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Tata Coffee Limited filed a complaint against its former employee, Ramla, under Section 452 of the Companies Act, 2013, for wrongfully withholding residential accommodation. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) returned the complaint, erroneously holding that criminal courts lack jurisdiction and that Section 452 was decriminalized by the 2020 amendment, believing adjudication falls under Adjudicating Officers.
Tata Coffee Limited (Petitioner/Complainant) filed a complaint against its former employee, Ramla (First Respondent/Accused).
The complaint alleged an offense under Section 452 of the Companies Act, 2013, for wrongfully withholding residential accommodation provided to Ramla.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Thrissur, returned the complaint via an order dated 13.02.2026.
The CJM held that penalties under Section 452 are to be adjudicated by an Adjudicating Officer appointed under the Companies Act, and not by any criminal Court.
The CJM also declared that no criminal Court has jurisdiction to take cognizance of an allegation under Section 452 of the Companies Act after the amendment made in the year 2020.
…Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Thrissur,…
The Criminal Revision…
Sign in to view related legal provisions.