Reviewed case brief

Barium Chemicals Ltd v Company Law Board

AIR 1966 SC 1648

The Supreme Court of India held that the Central Government's power to order investigation of a company's affairs must be based on objective satisfaction founded on reasonable grounds. The government cannot act on mere suspicion or extraneous considerations. While the satisfaction is that of the gov

investigationcentral-governmentobjective-satisfactionreasonable-basisjudicial-review
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
1966
Subjects
Company Law
Reviewed
2026-06-30

Rule established

The Central Government's power to order investigation of a company must be exercised on a reasonable basis; the satisfaction of the government must be objective and not based on mere suspicion.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        AIR 1966 SC 1648

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.