Case: Bhagwati Developers Vs. Peerless Genl. Fin. &amp; Investment Co &amp; Or

available for dividend by capitalized:-(1) by the issue and distribution as fully paid up of shares, debentures, debenture stock, bonds or other obligations of the Company, or(ii) by creating shares of the Company which may have been issued and not fully paid up, with the whole or any part of the sum remaining unpaid thereon.Provided that any amounts standing to the credit of the share premium account of the Capital Redemption Reserve Account shall be applied only in crediting the payment of capital on shares of the Company to be issued to members (as herein provided) as fully paid bonus shares.xxx xxx xxxxxx xxx xxx" 9. Reference must also be made to the definition of "Dividend" under Article 12, wherein it has been stated that the word "Dividend" includes "Bonus". On behalf of the Appellant it has been submitted that Article 182 permits capitalization of profits by issuance and distribution of fully paid up shares, debentures, debenture stock amongst others out of the Revaluation of Capital Assets only in such cases where the "funds are available for dividends". It was submitted that the words "available for dividends" under Article 182 cover all the categories of funds which could be capitalized for the purpose of issue of fully paid up shares. It was submitted that any fund which was not available for dividend could not be used for purposes of issue of fully paid up shares. Reliance was then placed upon Article 175 wherein it was provided that no dividend would be payable except out of profits arising from the business of the company. It was submitted that both the Articles have to be read together and, if read together, it is clear that dividends as well as issue of fully paid up shares could only be made out of profits arising from the business of the company and not from the revaluation of capital assets. It was submitted that the High Court erred in holding that the words "available for dividends" only applied to words "other funds of the company or in the hand of the company" and that it did not apply or restrict the other categories laid down under Article 182. 10. On the other hand, on behalf of the Respondents it is submitted that the High Court was right in coming to the conclusion that the words "available for dividends" did not apply to any other categories except the category of funds of the company in the hands of the company. 11. Both sides have also relied on various provisions of the Companies act, some other Articles in the Articles of Association and various authorities. In our view it is not necessary to set those out or deal with them as the decision will have to be based on an interpretation of Article 182. For consideration of the rival arguments Article 182 would have to be broken up in the following manner: "Any General Meeting may resolve that any amounts standing to the credit of(a) Share Premium Account,(b) Capital Redemption Reserve Account and(c) any monies, investments of other assets forming part of the undivided profits including profit or surplus monies arising from (i) realization and (ii) where permitted by law, from the appreciation in value of any capital assets standing to the credit of General Reserve, Reserve or any Reserve Fund or any other Fund of the Company or in the hands of the Company and available for dividends." If read in this manner it is clear that the words "available for dividends" would be applicable to all categories. The High Court was thus wrong in concluding that these words only applied to the last category i.e funds of the company or in the hands of the company. However, it must be seen that the word "Dividend" wherever it appears for dividends" would necessarily mean "available for dividend/bonus". Article 182 itself provides that where the law permits issuing of bonus from appreciation of value in the capital assets the same could be done. If read in the manner suggested by the Appellants this portion of Article 182 i.e issuing of bonus out of Revaluation Reserves would be rendered otiose. So would certain other portions of Article 182 viz. the provision regarding issuing of bonus out of Share Premium Account and Capital Redemption Reserve Account. Section 205 of the Companies Act provides that the dividend could only be issued out of profits of the company. The proviso to sub-section 3 of Section 205 permits capitalization of profits or reserve of a company for the purpose of issuing fully paid up bonus shares or paying up any amount for the time being unpaid on any shares held by the members of the company. Thus the Companies Act specifically permits utilization of reserve arising from revaluation of assets for purpose of issuing fully paid up bonus shares. When the law so permits, Article 182 authorizes the company to issue Bonus shares out of reserves arising from revaluation of capital assets. Thus, even though the interpretation given by the High Court on Article 182 is not correct, still the final conclusion that Article 182 does not prohibit issuance of Bonus shares is correct and requires no interference.12. It was next submitted on behalf of the Appellant that as the directions of the Reserve Bank of India had not been complied with the balance sheet of the Company did not reflect the true picture and in actual fact when the bonus shares were sought to be issued the Company was in a loss. On the other hand it was submitted on behalf of the Respondents that the Company had complied with the directions and had been granted time of 7 years to regularize its accounts. In our view it is not necessary for us to go into this controversy as it will always be open to the Reserve Bank of India to take such action as is available to it in law, if it feels that its directions were not complied with.

Decision (1 = appeal accepted, 0 = rejected): 0

Explanation:
0[ds]6. The SEBI guidelines, which have been relied upon, were clarified on 13th August, 1992 wherein it has been stated that these guidelines do not apply to issue of securities by existing private/closely held and other unlisted companies. In view of this clarification, we see no infirmity in the impugned Judgment wherein it has been held that the SEBI guidelines were not applicable to the Respondent Company.7. We are also in agreement with the observation, in the impugned Judgment, to the effect that the Circular dated 6th September, 1994 does not have any mandatory effect. These Circulars are merely advisory in character.Both sides have also relied on various provisions of the Companies act, some other Articles in the Articles of Association and various authorities. In our view it is not necessary to set those out or deal with them as the decision will have to be based on an interpretation of Articleread in this manner it is clear that the words "available for dividends" would be applicable to all categories. The High Court was thus wrong in concluding that these words only applied to the last category i.e funds of the company or in the hands of the company. However, it must be seen that the word "Dividend" wherever it appears for dividends" would necessarily mean "available for dividend/bonus". Article 182 itself provides that where the law permits issuing of bonus from appreciation of value in the capital assets the same could be done. If read in the manner suggested by the Appellants this portion of Article 182 i.e issuing of bonus out of Revaluation Reserves would be rendered otiose. So would certain other portions of Article 182 viz. the provision regarding issuing of bonus out of Share Premium Account and Capital Redemption Reserve Account. Section 205 of the Companies Act provides that the dividend could only be issued out of profits of the company. The proviso to sub-section 3 of Section 205 permits capitalization of profits or reserve of a company for the purpose of issuing fully paid up bonus shares or paying up any amount for the time being unpaid on any shares held by the members of the company. Thus the Companies Act specifically permits utilization of reserve arising from revaluation of assets for purpose of issuing fully paid up bonus shares. When the law so permits, Article 182 authorizes the company to issue Bonus shares out of reserves arising from revaluation of capital assets. Thus, even though the interpretation given by the High Court on Article 182 is not correct, still the final conclusion that Article 182 does not prohibit issuance of Bonus shares is correct and requires no interference.In our view it is not necessary for us to go into this controversy as it will always be open to the Reserve Bank of India to take such action as is available to it in law, if it feels that its directions were not complied with.