Regulation 39 of LODR

(1) Where a  has been declared by a  but has not been paid or claimed within thirty days from the date of the declaration to any shareholder entitled to the payment of the dividend, the company shall, within seven days from the date of expiry of the said period of thirty days, transfer the total amount of dividend which remains unpaid or unclaimed to a special account to be opened by the company in that behalf in any to be called the Unpaid Dividend Account.

(2) The company shall, within a period of ninety days of making any transfer of an amount under sub-section (1) to the Unpaid Dividend Account, prepare a statement containing the names, their last known addresses and the unpaid dividend to be paid to each person and place it on the web-site of the company, if any, and also on any other web-site approved by the Central Government for this purpose, in such form, manner and other particulars as may be prescribed.

(3) If any default is made in transferring the total amount referred to in sub-section (1) or any part thereof to the Unpaid Dividend Account of the company, it shall pay, from the date of such default, interest on so much of the amount as has not been transferred to the said account, at the rate of twelve per cent per annum and the interest accruing on such amount shall enure to the benefit of the of the company in proportion to the amount remaining unpaid to them.

(4) Any person claiming to be entitled to any money transferred under sub-section (1) to the Unpaid Dividend Account of the company may apply to the company for payment of the money claimed.

(5)Any money transferred to the Unpaid Dividend Account of a company in pursuance of this section which remains unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date of such transfer shall be transferred by the company along with interest accrued, if any, thereon to the Fund established under sub-section (1) of section 125 and the company shall send a statement in the  of the details of such transfer to the authority which administers the said Fund and that authority shall issue a receipt to the company as evidence of such transfer.

(6) All in respect of which unpaid or unclaimed dividend has been transferred under sub-section (5) shall also be   by the company in the name of Investor Education and Protection Fund along with a statement containing such details 

Provided that any claimant of shares transferred above shall be entitled to claim the transfer of shares from Investor Education and Protection Fund in accordance with such procedure and on submission of such  

For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that in case any dividend is paid or claimed for any year during the said period of seven consecutive years, the share shall not be transferred to Investor Education and Protection Fund.

 If a company fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section, such company shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of ten lakh rupees and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five thousand rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of two lakh rupees.

(7) If a company fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section, the company shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than five lakh rupees but which may extend to twenty-five lakh rupees and every of the company who is in default shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees.

8.3.3-Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016

3. Fund.-

(1) The Authority shall administer the Fund.

(2) There shall be credited to the Fund, the following amounts. namely:-

(a) all amounts payable as mentioned in clause (a) to (n) of sub-section (2) of section 125 of the Act;

(b) all shares in accordance with sub-section (6) of section 124 of the Act;

(e) all the resultant benefits arising out of shares held by the Authority under clause (b);

(d) all grants, fees and charges received by the Authority under these rules;

(e) all sums received by the Authority from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government;

(f) all income earned by the Authority in any year;

  all shares held by the Authority in accordance with proviso of sub-section (9) of section 90 of the Act and all the resultant benefits arising out of such shares, without any restrictions;

all amounts payable as mentioned in sub-section (3) of section 10B of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970, section 10B of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980 and section 40A of the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Bank) Act, 1959; and

(g) all amounts payable as mentioned in Sub-section (3) of section 10B of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and section 10B of Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980; and

(h) all Other sums of money collected by the Authority as envisaged in the Act.

(3) In case of term deposits and debentures of companies, due unpaid or unclaimed interest shall be transferred to the Fund along with the transfer of the matured amount of such term deposits and debentures.

(4) (a) All the money, which accrue under sub section (2) () of section 125 of the Act shall be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India under the Major Head ‘0075- Miscellaneous General Services – 104 – Unclaimed and Unpaid dividends, deposits and debentures etc.’. Such sums along with amount deposited under section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956 shall be transferred to the Fund in the non-interest bearing Public Account after taking due approval of Parliament through Appropriation Act. This non- interest bearing public Account Shall be termed as IEPF Fund and shall be utilised for the purposes provided under sub-section (3) of section 125 of the Act.

(b) (i) All amounts remitted by the companies shall initially be accounted for under the following heads of Accounts:-

Major Head 0075 – Miscellaneous General Services

Minor Head 104 – Unpaid dividend Of Companies.

(ii) Grants and donations given to the Fund by the State Governments, Companies or any other institutions for the purpose of the Fund as also the interest or other income received out of the Investments made from the Fund shall be credited to a separate sub-head under “800 – Other Receipts” below the MH 0075 – Misc. General Services.

(iii) Amount booked under the above receipt head shall be transferred to the Fund account under Major Head ‘8235 – General and other Reserve Fund – 116 -IE & PF’ by the PAO, Ministry of Corporate Affairs after making suitable budget provision under Major Head ‘3451 – Secretariat Economic Services 797 – Transfer to Reserve Fund Deposit Account – Transfer to Investor’s Education and Protection Fund’. In case the amounts of receipts in a year is more than the budget provision made under Major Head 3451 transfer to the Fund, the difference shall be transferred to the Fund in subsequent year, after obtaining approval of the Budget Division of Department of Economic Affairs and after making adequate budget provision in the relevant year.

(iv) Budget provision in connection with the activities to be financed from the Fund shall be made under Major Head 3451 – Secretariat Economic Services 090 Secretariat – Investor’s Education and Protection Fund. Actual expenditure under the head shall be recouped from the Fund and the amount so recouped shall be accounted for under the Major Head ‘3451’ as Deduct entry below Minor Head ‘902 – Deduct – amount met from Investor’s Education and Protection Fund’ with contra debit to Major Head – ‘8235 – General and Other Reserve Funds -116 – Investor’s Education and Protection Fund’.

8.3.6-Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016

6.

(1) The shares shall be credited to DEMAT Account of the Authority to be opened by the Authority for the said purpose, within a period of thirty days of such shares becoming due to be transferred to the Fund:

Provided that, in case the beneficial owner has encashed any dividend warrant  during the last seven years, such shares shall not be required to be transferred to the Fund even though some dividend warrants may not have been encashed:

 in cases where the provided under sub-section (5) of section 124 has been completed or being completed during the period from 7th September, 2016 to 31st May, 2017, the due date of transfer of such shares shall be deemed to be 31st May, 2017.

For removal of all doubts, it is hereby clarified that all shares in respect of which dividend has been transferred to Investor Education and Protection Fund on or before the 7th September 2016, shall also be transferred by the company in the name of Investor Education and Protection Fund.

(2) For the purposes of effecting transfer of such shares, the Board shall authorise the Company Secretary or any other person to sign the necessary documents.

(3) The company shall follow the following procedure while transferring the shares, namely:-

(a) The company shall inform, at the latest available address, the shareholder concerned regarding transfer of shares three months before the due date of transfer of shares and also simultaneously publish a notice in the leading newspaper in English and regional language having wide circulation informing the concerned that the names of such shareholders and their folio number or DP ID – Client ID are available on their website duly mentioning the website address.

(b) In case, where there is a specific order of Court or Tribunal or statutory Authority restraining any transfer of such shares and payment of dividend or where such shares are pledged or hypothecated under the provisions of the Depositories Act, 1996 or shares already been transferred under sub-rule (1) above, the company shall not transfer such shares to the Fund:

Provided that the company shall furnish details of such shares and unpaid dividend to the Authority in  within from the end of financial year.

(c) For the purposes of effecting the transfer, where the shares are dealt with in a depository-

(i) the Company shall inform the depository by way of corporate action, where the shareholders have their accounts for transfer in favour of the Authority.

(ii) on receipt of such intimation, the depository shall effect the transfer of shares in favour of  of the Authority.

For the purposes of effecting the transfer where the shares are held in physical form-

(i) the Company Secretary or the person authorised by the Board shall make an application, on behalf of the concerned shareholders, to the company, for issue of duplicate share certificates;

(ii) on receipt of the application under clause (a), a duplicate certificate for each such shareholder shall be issued and it shall be stated on the face of it and be recorded in the register maintained for the purpose, that the duplicate certificate is “Issued in lieu of share certificate No….. for purpose of transfer to IEPF” and the word “duplicate” shall be stamped or punched in bold letters on the first page of the share certificate;

(iii) particulars of every share certificate issued as above shall be entered forthwith in a register of renewed and duplicate share certificates maintained in Form No. SH-2  as specified in the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014;

(iv) after issue of duplicate share certificates, the company shall inform the depository by way of corporate action to convert the duplicate share certificates into DEMAT form and transfer in favour of the Authority.

For the purposes of effecting the transfer shares held in physical form-

(i) the Company Secretary or the person authorised by the Board shall make an application, on behalf of the concerned shareholder, to the company, for issue of a new share certificate;

(ii) on receipt of the application under clause (a), a new share certificate for each such shareholder shall be issued and it shall be stated on the face of the certificate that “Issued in lieu of share certificate No….. for the purpose of transfer to IEPF” and the same be recorded in the register maintained for the purpose;

(iii) particulars of every share certificate shall be in as specified in the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014;

(iv) after issue of a new share certificate, the company shall inform the depository by way of corporate action to convert the share certificates into DEMAT form and
transfer in favour of the Authority.

(4) The company shall make such transfers through corporate action and shall preserve copies for its .

While effecting such transfer, the company shall send a statement to the Authority in  within of the corporate action taken under clause (c) of sub-rule (3) of rule 6 containing details of such transfer and the company shall also attach a copy of the public notice published under clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 6 in .

(5) While effecting such transfer, the company shall send a statement to the Authority in  containing details of such transfer.

(6) The voting rights on shares transferred to the Fund shall remain frozen until the rightful owner claims the shares:

Provided that for the purpose of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011, the shares which have been transferred to the Authority shall not be excluded while calculating the total voting rights.

 The company shall maintain all such statements filed under sub – rule (5) in the same format along with all supporting documents and the Authority shall have the powers to inspect such records.

(7) The company shall maintain the details of shareholding of each individual shareholders whose shares have been credited to the DEMAT account of the Authority.

 All benefits accruing on such shares like bonus shares, split, consolidation, fraction shares and the like except right issue shall also be credited to such DEMAT account [by the company which shall send a statement to the Authority in   within of the corporate action containing details of such transfer.]

(8) All benefits accruing on such shares e.g., bonus shares, split, consolidation, fraction shares etc., except right issue shall also be credited to such DEMAT account.

The shares held in such DEMAT account shall not be transferred or dealt with in any manner whatsoever except for the purposes of transferring the shares back to the claimant as and when he approaches the Authority or in accordance with sub-rules (10), (11) and (11A).

(9) The shares held in such DEMAT account shall not be transferred or dealt with in any manner whatsoever except for the purposes of transferring the shares back to the claimant as and when he approaches the Authority or in accordance with sub-rule (10) and (11).

(10) If the company is getting delisted, the Authority shall surrender shares on behalf of the shareholders in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2009 and the proceeds realised shall be credited to the Fund and a separate ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds.

(11) In case the company whose shares or securities are held by the Authority is being wound up, the Authority may surrender the securities to receive the amount entitled on behalf of the security holder and credit the amount to the Fund and a separate ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds.

In case an application for purchase of shares under section 236 is received through the company, the Authority may receive the amount entitled on behalf of the minority shareholders from the company as per procedures provided under sub-section 5 of the said section 236 and credit the amount to the Fund and a separate ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds:

Provided that Authority before such receipt of money on behalf of such shareholders shall verify that the conditions provided under the relevant section of the Act and rules framed thereunder have been satisfied and shall also call a report from the company on the following, namely:-

(a) whether the acquirer to whom the shares held by the Authority would be transferred has fulfilled the requirements of section 236;

(b) whether the shares have been valued in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 236 and the rules made thereunder; and

(c) any other relevant information:

Provided further that the company shall be liable under all circumstances whatsoever to indemnify the Authority in case of any dispute or lawsuit that may be initiated and the Authority shall not be liable to indemnify the minority shareholder or the Company or any other person for any liability arising, leading to any litigation or complaint arising thereof:

Provided also that any claimant entitled to claim transfer of such shares from the Authority under sub-section (6) of section 124 shall only be entitled to the amount received by the Authority on behalf of the minority shareholder without any interest thereon.

(12) Any further dividend received on such shares shall be credited to the Fund and a separate ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds.

Any amount required to be credited by the companies to the Fund as provided under sub-rules (10), (11) and sub-rule (12) shall be remitted into the specified account of the IEPF Authority maintained in the   from the date of remittance or within thirty days from the date of enforcement of these Rules,

Any amount required to be credited by the companies to the Fund as provided under sub-rule (11A) shall be remitted into the specified account of the IEPF Authority maintained in the Punjab National Bank and the details thereof shall be furnished to the Authority in Form No. IEPF-7 within thirty days from the date of remittance or within thirty days from the date of commencement of the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund), Third Amendment, Rules, 2021, as the case may be.

Authority shall furnish its report to the Central Government as and when noncompliance of the rules by companies came to its knowledge.

(1) The shares shall be credited to an IEPF suspense account (on the name of the company) with one of the depository participants as may be identified by the Authority within a of such shares becoming due to be transferred to the Fund:

Provided that, in case the beneficial owner has encashed any dividend warrant during the last seven years, such shares shall not be required to be transferred to the Fund even though some dividend warrants may not have been encashed.

(2) For the purposes of effecting transfer of such shares, the Board shall authorise the Company Secretary or any other person to sign the necessary documents.

(3) The company shall follow the following procedure, namely:-

(a) The company shall inform at the latest available address, the shareholder concerned regarding transfer of shares three months before the due date of transfer of shares and also simultaneously publish a notice in the leading newspaper in English and regional language having wide circulation. and on their website giving details of such shareholders and shares due for transfer.

Provided that in cases, where the seven years as provided under sub-section (5) of section 124 have been completed or are being completed within three months from the date of Coming into force of these rules, the company shall initiate the aforesaid procedure immediately and transfer the shares on completion of three months;

(b) In case, In where there is a specific order of Court or Tribunal or statutory Authority restraining any transfer of such shares and payment of dividend, the company shall not transfer such shares to the Fund:

Provided that the company shall furnish details of such shares and unpaid dividend to the Authority in    within from the end of financial year;

(c) For the purposes of effecting the transfer where the Shares are dealt with in a depository,-

(i) the Company Secretary or the person authorised by the Board shall sign on behalf of such shareholders, the delivery instruction slips of the depository participants where the shareholders had their accounts for transfer in favour of IEPF suspense account (name of the company);

(ii) on receipt of the delivery instruction slips. the depository shall effect the transfer of shares in favour of the Fund in its records.

(d) For the purposes of effecting the transfer where the shares are held in physical form,-

(i) the Company Secretary or the person authorised by the Board shall make an application, on behalf of the concerned shareholders, to the company, for issue of duplicate share certificates;

(ii) on receipt of the application under clause (a), duplicate certificate for each such shareholder shall be issued and it shall be Stated on the face of it and be recorded in the register maintained for the purpose, that the duplicate certificate is “Issued in lieu of share certificate No… for purpose of transfer to IEPF” and the word “duplicate” shall be stamped or punched in bold letters across the face of the share certificate;

(iii) particulars of every share certificate issued as above shall entered forthwith in a register of renewed and duplicate share certificates maintained in Form NO. SH 2 as specified in the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014;

(iv) after issue of duplicate share certificates. the Company Secretary or the person authorised by the Board, shall sign the necessary Form No. SH 4 i.e„ securities transfer Form as specified in the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014, for transferring the shares in favour of the Fund;

(v) on receipt of the duly filled transfer forms along with the duplicate share certificates, the Board or its Committee shall approve the transfer and thereafter the transfer of shares shall be effected in favour of the Fund in the records of the company.

(4) The company or depository, as the case may be, shall preserve copies of the depository instruction slips, transfer deeds and duplicate certificates for its records

(5) While effecting such transfer. the company shall send a statement to the Fund in  containing details of such transfer.

(6) on shares transferred to the Fund shall remain frozen until the rightful owner claims the shares:

Provided that for the purpose of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011, the shares which have been transferred to the Authority shall not excluded while calculating the total voting rights.

(7) Once the physical shares are transferred in the name of the Authority, the Authority Shall dematerialise these shares and it shall keep only those shares in physical form, where dematerialisation of shares is not possible.

(8) The Authority shall maintain IEPF Suspense account (name of the company) with depository participant on behalf of the shareholders who are entitled for the shares and all benefits accruing on such shares e.g. bonus shares, split. Consolidation, fraction shares etc. except right issue Shall also credited to such IEPF suspense account (name of the company).

(9) The shares held in such IEPF suspense account shall not be transferred or dealt with in any manner whatsoever except for the purposes of transferring the shares back to the claimant as and when he approaches the Authority or in accordance with sub-rule (10) and (11).

(10) If the company is getting delisted, the Authority shall surrender shares on behalf of the shareholders in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2009 and the proceeds realised shall be credited to the Fund and a separate ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds.

(11) In case the company whose shares or are held by the Authority is being wound up, the Authority may surrender the securities to receive the amount entitled on behalf of the security holder and credit the amount to the Fund and a ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds.

(12) Any further dividend received on such shares shall be credited to the Fund and a separate ledger account shall be maintained for such proceeds.

8.3.7-Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016

7.

(1) Any person whose shares, unclaimed dividend, matured deposits, matured debentures, application money due for refund, or interest thereon, sale proceeds of fractional shares, redemption proceeds of preference shares etc., has been transferred to the Fund, may claim the shares under proviso to sub-section (6) of section 124 or apply for refund under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 125 or under proviso to sub-section (3) of section 125, as the case may be, to the Authority by submitting an online application in available on the website www.iepf.gov.in along with fee specified by the Authority from time to time in consultation with the Central Government.

Upon submission,   shall be transmitted online to the Nodal Officer of the company for verification of claim:

Provided that the claimant after making an application in   under sub rule 1, shall send original physical share certificate, original bond, deposit certificate, debenture certificate, as the case may be, along with Indemnity Bond, any other document as enumerated in  , duly signed by him, to the Nodal Officer of the concerned company at its registered office for verification of the claim.

(2) The claimant shall after making an application in  under rule (1), send the same duly signed by him along with, requisite documents as enumerated in Form IEPF-5 to the concerned company at its registered office for verification of his claim.

Every company which is required to credit amounts or shares to the fund or has deposited the amount or transferred the shares to the Fund shall nominate a Nodal Officer, who shall either be a Director or Chief financial Officer or Company Secretary of the company, for the purposes of verification of  and coordination with Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority:

Provided that a company may appoint one or more Officer as Deputy Nodal Officer to assist the Nodal Officer for the purposes of verification of claim and for coordination with Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority:

Provided further that the Nodal Officer shall be solely liable for all actions of any officer appointed as Deputy Nodal Officer:

Provided also that in case a company fails to appoint Nodal Officer, every director of the company shall be deemed to be nodal officer and be liable for any failure to comply with requirement of these rules.

 The details of the Nodal Officer and Deputy Nodal Officer duly indicating his or her designation, postal address, telephone and mobile number and company authorized e-mail ID shall be communicated to the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority in   within fifteen days from the date of publication of these rules and the company shall display the name of Nodal Officer and his e-mail ID on its website:

Provided that any change in the Nodal Officer or his details shall be communicated to the Authority through   within seven days of such change along with board resolution thereof.

The company shall, within thirty days from the date of receipt of claim, send an online verification report to the Authority after verification of details in Form No. IEPF-5 in the format specified by the Authority along with all the documents submitted by the claimant and shall attach the scanned copy of all the original documents submitted by the claimant in physical form duly certified by its Nodal Officer alongwith the e-verification report along with a scanned copy of both sides of original physical share certificate or original bond or deposit or debenture certificate/s duly cancelled and certified:

Provided that if the online verification report is not sent by the company within thirty days of filing of claim, the company may do so by paying additional fee of fifty rupees for every day subject to maximum of two thousand and five hundred rupees:

Provided further that the company shall be liable to maintain the original documents submitted to it by the claimant and shall produce such documents whenever required:

Provided also that in case of non-receipt of verification report along with documents by the Authority after the expiry of sixty days from the date of filing of  , the Authority may reject F , after sending a communication to the claimant and the concerned company, on the e-mail address of the claimant and the company, to furnish response within a period of fifteen days:

Provided also that for failure to submit verification report of the claim in accordance with these rules, the company and its Nodal Officer shall be punishable as per the provisions of the Act.

Explanation.- In case (i) loss of original physical share certificate or original bond or deposit or debenture certificate or proof of entitlement, the company and the claimant shall follow the procedure as laid down in the Companies (Share Capital and Debenture) Rules, 2014 , the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation, guidelines, procedures and circulars issued from time to time and  of these rules and attach certified copies of all documents as may be required under the said rules or guidelines with the e-verification report; (ii) In addition, the company shall attach a scanned copy of both sides of share certificate generated under clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of rule 6 of these rules along with the e-verification report;(iii) The Company shall be solely responsible for collecting original physical share certificate or original bond or deposit or debenture certificate or proof of entitlement from the claimant and shall be liable for any misuse thereof.

(3) The company shall, within fifteen days from the date of receipt of claim, send a verification report to the Authority in the format specified by the Authority along with all the documents submitted by the claimant.

(4) After verification of the entitlement of the claimant-

(a) to the amount claimed, the Authority and then Drawing and Disbursement Officer of the Authority shall present a bill to the Pay and Accounts Office for e- payment as per the guidelines,

(b) to the shares claimed, the Authority shall issue a refund sanction order with the approval of the Competent Authority and shall credit the shares to the DEMAT account of the claimant to the extent of the claimant’s entitlement.

(5) The Authority shall, in its records, cause a note to be made of all the payments made under sub-rule (4).

(6) An application received for refund of any claim under this rule duly verified by the concerned company shall be disposed off by the Authority within sixty days from the date of receipt of the verification report from the company, complete in all respects and any delay beyond sixty days shall be recorded in writing specifying the reasons for the delay and the same shall be communicated to the claimant in writing or by electronic means.

 Where the Authority, on examining any application for claim, finds it necessary to call for further information or finds such application or e-form or document to be defective or incomplete in any respect, the Authority shall give intimation of such information called for or defects or incompleteness, by e-mail on the email address of the claimant and the company, which has filed such application or e-form or document, directing him or it to furnish such information or to rectify such defects or incompleteness or to re-submit such application or e-Form or document within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such communication, failing which the Authority may reject the claim or  :

Provided that if such information or incompleteness is called from the claimant, he shall file the e-form and shall send such documents as called for within fifteen days, duly signed by him, to the Nodal Officer of the concerned company at its registered office for verification of the claim and company shall send a revised verification report:

Provided further that if any such information or incompleteness is called from the company, the company shall file the revised verification report and shall send such documents as called for within thirty days:

Provided also that the provisions of sub-rule (3) of rule 7 shall apply mutatis mutandis to this sub-Rule.

(7) In cases, where the application is incomplete or not approved, a communication shall be sent to the claimant and the concerned company by the Authority detailing deficiencies of the application.

In case, claimant is a legal heir or successor or administrator or nominee of the registered share holder, the claimant shall ensure to submission of self-attested scanned copy of all documents detailed in  of these rules online along with the :

Provided that in case of loss of securities held in physical form, he has to ensure to submission of self-attested scanned copy of additional documents detailed in  of these rules online along with the :

Provided further that the claimant shall submit in original all these documents duly signed by him, to the Nodal Officer of the concerned company at its registered office for verification of the claim.

(8) In case, claimant is a legal heir or successor or administrator or nominee of the registered share holder, he has to ensure that the transmission process is completed by the company before filing any claim with the Authority.

(9) In case, claimant is a legal heir or successor or administrator or nominee of any other registered security or in cases where request of transfer or transmission of shares is received after the transfer of shares by company to the Authority, the company shall verify all requisite documents required for registering transfer or transmission and shall issue letter to the claimant indicating his entitlement to the said security and furnish a copy of the same to the Authority while verifying the claim of such claimant .

. the authority shall dispose such request of transfer or transmission based on the e-verification report of the company subject to verification of such request.

.

(11) The company shall be liable under all circumstances whatsoever to indemnify the Authority in case of any dispute or lawsuit that may be initiated due to any incongruity or inconsistency or disparity in the verification report or otherwise and the Authority shall not be liable to indemnify the security holder or Company for any liability arising out of any discrepancy in verification report submitted etc., leading to any litigation or complaint arising thereof.

Any fraudulent claim by the claimant shall be deemed to be fraud within the meaning of section 447 of the Act and the claimant shall be liable accordingly.

If any person deceitfully personates an owner of any security or of any share warrant or coupon issued in pursuance of this Act and thereby files any claim to obtain or attempts to obtain any such security or interest or any such warrant or coupon due to the lawful owner, he shall be punishable under sections 57, 447 and 448 of the Act.

(1) Any person, whose shares, unclaimed dividend, matured deposits, matured debentures, application money due for refund, or interest thereon, sale proceeds of fractional shares, redemption proceeds of preference shares, etc. has been transferred to the Fund, may claim the shares under provision to sub-section (6) of section 124 or apply for refund under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 125 or under proviso to sub-section (3) of section 125, as the case may be, to the Authority by making an application in  online available on website www.iepf.gov.in along with fee, as decided by the Authority from time to time in consultation with the Central Government, under his own signature.

(2) The claimant shall after making an application online in Form IEPF-5 under rule (1) send the same duly signed by him along with, requisite documents as enumerated in Form IEPF-5 to the concerned company at its registered Office for verification of his claim.

(3) The company shall within fifteen days of receipt of claim form, send a verification report to the Authority in the format specified by the Authority along with all documents submitted by the claimant.

(4) After verification of the entitlement of the claimant-

(a) to the amount claimed, the Authority and then Drawing and Disbursement Officer of the Authority shall present a bill to the Pay and Accounts Office for e- payment as per the guidelines.

(b) to the shares claimed. the Authority shall issue a refund sanction order with the approval of the Competent Authority and shall either credit the shares which are lying with depository participant in IEPF suspense account (name of the company) to the demat account of the claimant to the extent of the claimant’s entitlement or in case of the physical certificates, if any, cancel the duplicate certificate and transfer the shares in favour of the claimant.

(5) The Authority shall, in its records, cause a note to be made of all the payments made under sub-rule (4).

(6) An application received for refund of any claim under this rule duly verified by the concerned company shall be disposed of by the Authority within sixty days from the date of receipt of the verification report from the company, complete in all respects and any delay beyond sixty days shall be recorded in writing specifying the reasons for the delay and the same shall be communicated to the claimant in writing or by electronic means.

(7) In case, where the application is incomplete, a communication shall be sent to the claimant by the Authority detailing deficiencies of the application.

(8) In case, claimant is a legal heir or successor or administrator nominee of the registered security holder, he has to ensure that the transmission process is completed by the company before filing any claim with the Authority.

(9) The claimant shall file only one consolidated claim in respect of a company in a financial year.

(10) The company shall be solely liable under all circumstances whatsoever to indemnity the IEPF Authority in case of any dispute or lawsuit that may be initiated due to any incongruity or inconsistency or disparity in the verification report or otherwise. The IEPF Authority shall not be liable to indemnity the security holder or Company for any liability arising out of any discrepancy in verification report submitted etc. leading to any litigation or complaint arising thereof.

Commencement Notification [S.O.1303(E)] dated 24.03.2021

Companies (Amendment) Act, 2020 dated 28.09.2020

Enforcement Notification [S.O.2866(E)] dated 05/09/2016

Enforcement Notification S.O. 1440(E) dated 29/05/2016

IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Amendment Rules, 2017 [GSR 178(E)] dated 28/02/2017

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Amendment Rules, 2021 [GSR 396(E)]dated 09.06.2021

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund), Third Amendment, Rules, 2021 dated 28.12.2021

The Companies (Amendment) Act,2015

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Second Amendment Rules, 2017 [GSR.1267E] dated 13/10/2017

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Second Amendment Rules, 2019 dated 14.08.2019

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Third Amendment Rules, 2017 dated 22.05.2018

Circular dated 13.04.2020 regarding filings under section 124 and section 125 of the Companies Act 2013 r/w IEPFA (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 in view of emerging situation due to outbreak of COVID– 19

Clarification dated 29.09.2020 regardining Filings under Section 124 and Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013 r/w IEPFA (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 in view of extension of CFSS, 2020

General Circular 03/2017

General Circular 05/2017

General Circular 06/2017

General Circular 07/2017

General Circular 12/2017

General Circular 15/2016

Form IEPF – 4 (Effective from 20.08.2019)

Form IEPF – 5 (Effective from 20.08.2019)

Form IEPF 3

Form IEPF 3 (Effective from 28.02.2017)

Form IEPF 4 (Effective till 19.08.2019)

Form IEPF 5

Form IEPF 5 (Effective from 28.02.2017 to 19.08.2019)

FORM NO. IEPF-4 (Effective from 09.06.2021)

FORM NO. IEPF-7 (Effective from 09.06.2021)

Form No. SH-1 Share Certificate

IEPF – 7 w.e.f.,22.05.2018

Schedule II -IEPF(Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016

Documents to be submitted to the Authority to register transmission of securities

A. Documentary requirement for securities held in physical mode
1. Where the shares are held singly with nomination:

1.1. Duly signed transmission request form by the nominee.

1.2. Original or copy of death certificate duly attested.

1.3. Self-attested copy of PAN card.

1.4. Original share certificate(s).

1.5. Any other government ID proof of the nominee.

2. Where the shares are held singly without nomination, the following documents in addition to the documents specified at paragraph 1 are required:

2.1 Affidavit from all the legal heirs made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper- to the effect of identification and claim of legal ownership to the securities:

Provided that in case the legal heir(s) or claimant(s) is named in the succession certificate or probate of will or Letter of Administration, an Affidavit from such legal heir(s) or claimant(s) alone would be sufficient.

2.2 For value of securities up to Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application, one or more of the following documents:

S uccession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal
(a) Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925)

(b)In the absence of the documents as mentioned at (a) above,

(i). No objection certificate from all legal heir(s) executed by all the legal heirs of the deceased holder not objecting to such transmission (or) copy of Family Settlement Deed duly notarized and

(ii). An Indemnity bond made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper –  indemnifying the STA or Issuer Company.

 or value of securities more than 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal.

2.3 For value of securities more than  Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925)

  (1) The Company may enhance the limit of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company in accordance with SCHEDULE VII of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, after taking approval of its Board of Directors and provide copy of Board resolution to Authority at the time of verification of claim.

(2) for the case where will is provided, following documents shall also be required:

(a) Legal heirship certificate issued by Competent Authority;

(b) No Objection Certificate from all legal heirs in favor of the claimant;

(c) Affidavit from witness about confirmation of will wherever alive or death certificate of such witness;

(d) Affidavit with regard to the will as last will and no matter is pending before any court with regard to such will;(e) Surety affidavit by at least two sureties with their PAN Card.

3. Where the shares are held jointly with nomination:

3.1 Duly signed transmission request form by the nominee.

3.2 Original or copy of death certificate(s) of all the joint holders duly attested

3.3 Self-attested copy of PAN card.

3.4 Original share certificate(s).

3.5 Any other government ID proof of the nominee.

4. Where the shares are held jointly without nomination, the following documents in addition to the documents specified at paragraph 3 are required:

4.1 Affidavit from all the legal heirs made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper- to the effect of identification and claim of legal ownership to the securities.

Provided that in case the legal heir(s) or claimant(s) is named in the succession certificate or probate of will or Letter of Administration, an Affidavit from such legal heir(s) or claimant(s) alone would be sufficient.

 Succession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal.

4.2 For value of securities upto  Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application, one or more of the following documents:

(a) Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925.(39 of 1925)

(b) In the absence of the documents as mentioned at (a) above,

(i). No objection certificate from all legal heir(s) executed by all the legal heirs of the deceased holder(s) not objecting to such transmission (or) copy of Family Settlement Deed duly notarized and

(ii). An Indemnity bond made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper – indemnifying the STA or Issuer Company.

 For value of securities more than 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal.

4.3 For value of securities more than Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925)

 (1) The Company may enhance the limit of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company in accordance with SCHEDULE VII of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, after taking approval of its Board of Directors and provide copy of Board resolution to Authority at the time of verification of claim.

(2) for the case where will is provided, following documents shall also be required:

(a) Legal heirship certificate issued by Competent Authority

(b) No Objection Certificate from all legal heirs in favor of the claimant;(c) Affidavit from witness about confirmation of will wherever alive or death certificate of such witness;(d) Affidavit with regard to the will as last will and no matter is pending before any court with regard to such will;(e) Surety affidavit by at least two sureties with their PAN Card.

B. Documentary requirement for securities held in DEMAT mode

1. Where the shares are held singly with nomination:

1.1. Duly signed transmission request form by the nominee.

1.2. Original or copy of death certificate duly attested

1.3. Self-attested copy of PAN card.

1.4. Copy of transaction statement duly certified by Depository Participant.

1.5. Any other government ID proof of the nominee.

2. Where the shares are held singly without nomination, the following documents in addition to the documents specified at paragraph 1 are required:

2.1 Affidavit from all the legal heirs made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper- to the effect of identification and claim of legal ownership to the securities.

Provided that in case the legal heir(s) or claimant(s) is named in the succession certificate or probate of will or Letter of Administration, an Affidavit from such legal heir(s) or claimant(s) alone would be sufficient.

2.2 For value of securities upto Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application, one or more of the following documents:

 Succession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal

(a) Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925.

(b) In the absence of the documents as mentioned at (a) above,

(i) No objection certificate from all legal heir(s) executed by all the legal heirs of the deceased holder not objecting to such transmission (or) copy of Family Settlement Deed duly notarized and

(ii) An Indemnity bond made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper – indemnifying the STA or Issuer Company.

 For value of securities more than 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal.

2.3 For value of securities more than Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925)

  (1) The Company may enhance the limit of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company in accordance with SCHEDULE VII of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, after taking approval of its Board of Directors and provide copy of Board resolution to Authority at the time of verification of claim.

3. Where the shares are held jointly with nomination:

3.1 Duly signed transmission request form by the nominee.

3.2 Original or copy of death certificate(s) of all the joint holders duly attested

3.3 Self-attested copy of PAN card.

3.4 Copy of transaction statement duly certified by Depository Participant.

3.5 Any other government ID proof of the nominee.

4. Where the shares are held jointly without nomination, the following documents in addition to the documents specified at paragraph 3 above are required:

4.1 Affidavit from all the legal heirs made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper- to the effect of identification and claim of legal ownership to the securities:

Provided that in case the legal heir(s) or claimant(s) is named in the succession certificate or probate of will or Letter of Administration, an Affidavit from such legal heir(s) or claimant(s) alone would be sufficient.

4.2 For value of securities upto Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application, one or more of the following documents, namely:-

 uccession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal

(a) Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925)

(b) In the absence of the documents as mentioned at (a) above,

(i) No objection certificate from all legal heir(s) executed by all the legal heirs of the deceased holder(s) not objecting to such transmission (or) copy of Family Settlement Deed duly notarized and

(ii) An Indemnity bond made on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper – indemnifying the STA or Issuer Company.

 For value of securities more than 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or will or letter of administration or Decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925) or any other Decree or Order of any Court or Tribunal.

4.3 For value of securities more than  Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per issuer company as on date of application: Succession certificate or probate of will or letter of administration or court decree, as may be applicable in terms of Indian Succession Act, 1925. (39 of 1925)

(1) The Company may enhance the limit of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) per issuer company in accordance with SCHEDULE VII of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, after taking approval of its Board of Directors and provide copy of Board resolution to Authority at the time of verification of claim.

(2) for the case where will is provided, following documents shall also be required:

(a) Legal heirship certificate issued by Competent Authority;

(b) No Objection Certificate from all legal heirs in favor of the claimant;

(c) Affidavit from witness about confirmation of will wherever alive or death certificate of such witness;

(d) Affidavit with regard to the will as last will and no matter is pending before any court with regard to such will;(e) Surety affidavit by at least two sureties with their PAN Card

Schedule III -IEPF(Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016

Documents to be submitted to the Authority in case of loss of securities held in physical mode.
1. Notarised copy of FIR/ Police Compliant containing information of security holder, holding details, folio number and distinctive numbers of share certificate.

2. Surety Affidavit of along with his Proof of identity like Pan Card of sureties duly attested by Notary.

3. Indemnity bond by security holder on a non-judicial stamp paper of requisite value duly attested by Notary Public by the person, in whose name the original share certificate are being issued that he has not sold / disposed off the involved shares or acted in any manner by which any interest of third party would have been created.

4. Copy of advertisement issued in at least one English language national daily newspaper having nationwide circulation and in one regional language daily newspaper published in the place of registered office of company, if the market value of the shares is greater than Rs 10,000.