Important Definitions: 

2(46) Holding Company, in relation to one or more other companies, means a company of which such companies are subsidiary companies.

2(87) Subsidiary company or subsidiary in relation to any other company (that is to say the holding company), means a company in which the holding company—

(i) controls the composition of the Board of Directors; or

(ii) exercises or controls more than one-half of the total voting power either at its own or together with one or more of its subsidiary companies:

Provided that all the companies incorporated under Indian companies’ act shall not have more than 2 layers of subsidiaries except Banking co., insurance co., government co. non-banking financial co. but this shall not stop Indian co. from acquiring foreign co. having more than 2 layers of subsidiaries.

Explanation— For the purposes of this clause:—

(a) a company shall be deemed to be a subsidiary company of the holding company even if the control referred to in sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) is of another subsidiary company of the holding company;

(b) the composition of a company’s Board of Directors shall be deemed to be controlled by another company if that other company by exercise of some power exercisable by it at its discretion can appoint or remove all or a majority of the Directors;

(c) the expression “company” includes any body corporate;

(d) “layer” in relation to a holding company means its subsidiary or subsidiaries;

However, the company can advance loan including book debt, give guarantee/security to any person in whom any of the Director of the Company is Interested,

The expression “any person in whom any of the director of the company is interested” means—:

• Any private company in which such director is director or member.
• Body corporate in which director is holding 25% or more voting power either singly or jointly.
• Body corporate in whose board of directors, MD or Manager are accustomed to act as per the directions given by the director of lending company.

B. Exceptions:

• Loan can be given to MD and WTD if such amount is provided to other employees as a part of consideration for service rendered or through a scheme approved by members.
• If the Loan is provided in ordinary course of business at interest rate not less than that decided by government as per tenure.
• Loan given by Holding Company to its Wholly owned subsidiary.
• Guarantee or security provided in respect of loan given by financial institution to its subsidiary provided loan is utilized for principle business activity.

C. Penalty for Non-Compliance:

I. Company – fine not less than INR 5,00,000 which may extend to INR 25,00,000.

II. Officer in default – imprisonment upto 6 months or fine 5,00,000 which may extend to 25,00,000.

III. Director – imprisonment upto 6 months or fine from 5,00,000 which may extend to 25,00,000 or both.

D. Is the restriction of lending loan applicable to all the Companies?

No, there are few relaxations given to certain companies. Section 185 is not applicable to the following:

• Private company-
  1. in whose share capital no other body corporate has invested any money;
  2. if the borrowings of such a company from banks or financial institutions or any body corporate is less than twice of its paid up share capital or fifty crore rupees, whichever is lower; and
  3. such a company has no default in repayment of such borrowings subsisting at the time of making transactions under this section.
• Nidhi company
• Government company- if they take approval of ministry or central government/ state government as may be applicable.
• Specified IFSC Public company.

E. Is a loan from a director considered as a Related Party Transaction (RPT)?

A Director or a Key Managerial Personal is considered as a related party in terms of Section 2(76) of the Act and hence any transaction with the director or KMP shall be regarded as a related party transaction.

However, only those transactions are considered as related party transactions that are enumerated in Section 188(1) of the Act. The transactions specified in Section 188 are primarily in the nature of sale and purchase of goods, properties, and services. Since the borrowing of money is not covered under Section 188 of the Act, the acceptance of a loan from the director shall not be considered as RPT.

F. Upper Limit: 

There is no upper limit provided in law upto which Loan can be given to a director. Any sum of amount can be given to the directors as Loan the only condition stated is that it requires the approval of members in the form of Special Resolution.