Section 53. Liability in case of company in liquidation

(1) Every person-

(a) who is a liquidator of any company which is being wound up whether under the orders of a court or otherwise; or

(b) who has been appointed as receiver of any assets of a company (hereinafter referred to as the "liquidator"), shall, within thirty days after his appointment, give intimation of his appointment as such to the Commissioner.

(2) The Commissioner shall, after making such inquiry or calling for such information as he may deem fit, notify the liquidator within three months from the date on which he received intimation of the appointment of the liquidator, the amount which in the opinion of the Commissioner would be sufficient to provide for any tax, interest or penalty which is then, or is likely thereafter to become, payable by the company.

(3) When any private company is wound up and any tax, interest or penalty assessed under this Act on the company for any period, whether before or in the course of or after its liquidation, cannot be recovered, then every person who was a director of the private company at any time during the period for which the tax is due, shall jointly and severally be liable for the payment of such tax, interest or penalty, unless he proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that such non-recovery is be attributed to any gross neglect, misfeasance or breach of duty on his part in relation to the affairs of the company.

Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, the expressions "company" and "private company" shall have the meaning respectively assigned to them under clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956.