Question

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
A document may be served on a company by sending it to the company at its registered office: -
(i) Only by registered post.
(ii) By speed post.
(iii) By courier service.
(iv) By leaving it at its registered office.

• A. Only (i), and (iv)
• B. Only (i)
• C. Only (i), (ii), and (iv)
• D. Only (ii), (iii), and (iv)

Hint:

Under Section 20, a member can also request the company to serve documents on him via a specific preferred mode, provided the member pays the expenses determined by the company in its general meeting.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks about the permitted legal modes of serving physical documents on a company at its registered office under the Companies Act, 2013.

Step 2: Key Principles and Statutory Provisions:
Section 20 of the Companies Act, 2013, lays down the statutory rules for the "Service of Documents" on a company or its officers.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation and Analysis:

• Under Section 20(1), a document may be served on a company or an officer thereof by sending it to the company or the officer at the registered office of the company by:
1. Registered post;
2. Speed post; (Statement ii)
3. Courier service; (Statement iii)
4. Leaving it at its registered office; (Statement iv)
5. Electronic or other mode as may be prescribed.

• Statement (i) asserts that a document may be served "Only by registered post".
The use of the absolute word "Only" makes this statement incorrect, as there are multiple other valid statutory alternatives.

• The correct options from the list that represent legally permitted modes are speed post, courier, and physical delivery (leaving it at the office).

Step 4: Final Answer:
Since statements (ii), (iii), and (iv) are correct and do not contain restrictive language, Option D is the correct choice.