File Complaint Against a Company with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) in India

You can file a complaint against any registered company in India (Private Limited, Limited, OPC, or LLP) directly through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal. The ROC is primarily responsible for ensuring companies comply with statutory requirements under the Companies Act, 2013. For serious issues like fraud or oppression, the ROC can initiate an inquiry or forward the matter to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).

When Can You File a Complaint? (Circumstances)
Not every grievance belongs at the ROC. You must categorize your issue into Investor Grievances or Serious Complaints.

1. Investor / Shareholder Grievances
Use this category for administrative or financial disputes:

• Non-Receipt of Dividend: The company declared a dividend but did not pay you.
• Non-Receipt of Shares/Securities: You bought shares but never received the certificate or demat credit.
• Non-Payment of Deposits: The company accepted a Fixed Deposit (FD) but failed to pay interest or principal on maturity.
• Non-Payment of Salary (Limited Scope): While ROC isn't a labor court, systematic non-payment of employee dues can be reported as mismanagement.

2. Serious Complaints (Fraud & Mismanagement)
Use this category for criminal or regulatory violations:

• Corporate Fraud: The company is a "Shell Company" (fake business) used for money laundering or siphoning funds.
• Financial Mismanagement: Falsifying Balance Sheets or hiding losses to cheat banks and investors.
• Removal of Directors: If a director was removed illegally without following due process (Section 169).
• Non-Filing of Returns: If the company has not filed its Annual Return (MGT-7) or Financial Statements (AOC-4) for years.

Where and How to File (Step-by-Step)
There is no need to visit the ROC office physically. The entire process is online.

Step 1: Gather Information

You need the CIN (Corporate Identity Number) of the company.
Search for the company name on mca.gov.in > MCA Services > Master Data > View Company or LLP Master Data. Note down the 21-digit CIN (e.g., U72900DL2022PTC123456).

Step 2: Access the Complaint Form

1. Go to the MCA Website (www.mca.gov.in).
2. Log in (Create a user account if you don't have one).
3. Navigate to MCA Services -> Complaints section.
4. Select Create Investor Complaint (for dividends/shares) or Create Serious Complaint (for fraud).

Step 3: Fill the Investor Complaint Form

• Corporate Identity Number (CIN): Enter the CIN you noted earlier. The system will auto-fill the company name and address.
• Nature of Complaint: Select from the dropdown (e.g., "Non-receipt of Dividend").
• Complaint Details: Describe the issue clearly in 1000 characters. Mention dates and amounts.
• Check Form: Click the button to validate data.
• Submit: Once submitted, you will get a Service Request Number (SRN). Save this for tracking.

Step 4: Filing a Serious Complaint (Form SCP)

If alleging fraud, you may need to fill the Serious Complaint Form.

• This form allows you to attach documents (PDFs of evidence like bank statements, internal emails, or fraudulent brochures).
• Unlike the simple investor form, this often triggers a deeper scrutiny by the Registrar.

Documents Required

• Proof of Investment: Share Certificate copies, Demat statement, or Deposit Receipt.
• Communication Trail: Copies of emails/letters sent to the company Secretary or Directors which were ignored.
• Identity Proof: Your PAN Card or Aadhaar Card.

Things to Watch Out For

• Listed vs. Unlisted: If the company is listed on the stock market (e.g., Reliance, TCS), the ROC will likely redirect you to SEBI SCORES (SEBI Complaints Redress System). ROC primarily handles unlisted/private limited companies directly.
• NCLT vs. ROC: The ROC is an administrative body. It can penalize the company or strike it off. However, if you want your money back or damages, ROC cannot order a refund. For recovery of money, you must approach the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) under Section 7 (Insolvency) or the Consumer Court.
• Anonymous Complaints: The MCA generally does not entertain anonymous complaints. You must verify your identity (mobile/email) to file.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a fee to file a complaint?
A: No, filing an Investor Complaint or Serious Complaint on the MCA portal is free of cost.

Q: How can I track my complaint status?
A: Go to MCA Services -> Complaints -> Track Complaint Status. Enter your SRN (Service Request Number) to see if the company has responded.

Q: What action will ROC take?
A: The ROC sends a notice to the company asking for an explanation. If the company fails to respond or the explanation is unsatisfactory, the ROC can launch a prosecution or impose a penalty.

Contact details for various ROC offices in India:

• ROC Ahmedabad
  Address: ROC Bhavan, Opp Rupal Park Society, Behind Ankur Bus Stop, Naranpura, Ahmedabad - 380013
  Phone: 079-27437597
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Bangalore
  Address: 'E' Wing, 2nd Floor, Kendriya Sadana, Kormangala, Bangalore - 560034
  Phone: 080-25633105
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Chennai
  Address: Block No.6, B Wing, 2nd Floor, Shastri Bhawan, 26, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600034
  Phone: 044-28270071
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Coimbatore
  Address: Stock Exchange Building, II-Floor, 683, Trichy Road, Singanallur, Coimbatore - 641005
  Phone: 0422-2318170
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Delhi
  Address: 4th Floor, IFCI Tower, 61, Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019
  Phone: 011-26235703
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Ernakulam
  Address: Company Law Bhawan, BMC Road, Thrikkakara, Kochi - 682021
  Phone: 0484-2423749
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Goa
  Address: Company Law Bhawan, EDC Complex, Plot No. 21, Patto, Panaji, Goa - 403001
  Phone: 0832-2438617
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Hyderabad
  Address: 2nd Floor, Corporate Bhawan, GSI Post, Tattiannaram Nagole, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad - 500068
  Phone: 040-29805427
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Jaipur
  Address: Corporate Bhawan, G/6-7, Second Floor, Residency Area, Civil Lines, Jaipur - 302001
  Phone: 0141-2222465
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Jammu
  Address: Hall No.405-408, South Block, Bahu Plaza, Rail Head Complex, Jammu - 180012
  Phone: 0191-2470306
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Kanpur
  Address: 10/499 B, Allenganj, Khalasi Line, Kanpur - 208002
  Phone: 0512-2550688
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Kolkata
  Address: Nizam Palace, 2nd MSO Building, 2nd Floor, 234/4, A.J.C.B. Road, Kolkata - 700020
  Phone: 033-22877390
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Mumbai
  Address: 100, Everest, Marine Drive, Mumbai - 400002
  Phone: 022-22812627
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Patna
  Address: Maurya Lok Complex, Block A, Western Wing, 4th Floor, Dak Banglow Road, Patna - 800001
  Phone: 0612-222172
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Pune
  Address: PMT Building, Pune Stock Exchange, 3rd Floor, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune - 411004
  Phone: 020-25521376
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Shillong
  Address: Morello Building, Ground Floor, Shillong - 793001
  Phone: 0364-2504093
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Tamil Nadu (Andaman & Nicobar)
  Address: 2nd Floor, 26, Haddows Road, Shastri Bhawan, Chennai - 600006
  Phone: 044-28277183
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Uttar Pradesh
  Address: 10/499 B, Allenganj, Khalasi Line, Kanpur - 208002
  Phone: 0512-2550688
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Andhra Pradesh
  Address: 2nd Floor, Corporate Bhawan, GSI Post, Tattiannaram Nagole, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad - 500068
  Phone: 040-29805427
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Assam
  Address: 5th Floor, Prithvi Planet, Behind Hanuman Mandir, Ulubari, G.S. Road, Guwahati - 781007
  Phone: 0361-2974431
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Chhattisgarh
  Address: Ist Floor, Ashok Pingley Bhawan, Municipal Corporation, Nehru Chowk, Bilaspur - 495001
  Phone: 07752-250092
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Gujarat
  Address: ROC Bhavan, Opp Rupal Park Society, Behind Ankur Bus Stop, Naranpura, Ahmedabad - 380013
  Phone: 079-27437597
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Jharkhand
  Address: House No-239, Road No-4, Magistrate Colony, Doranda, Ranchi - 834002
  Phone: 0651-2481844
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Karnataka
  Address: 'E' Wing, 2nd Floor, Kendriya Sadana, Kormangala, Bangalore - 560034
  Phone: 080-25633105
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Madhya Pradesh
  Address: 3rd Floor, 'A' Block, Sanjay Complex, Jayendra Ganj, Gwalior - 474009
  Phone: 0751-2321907
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Punjab
  Address: Corporate Bhawan, Plot No.4 B, Sector 27 B, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160019
  Phone: 0172-2639415
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Rajasthan
  Address: Corporate Bhawan, G/6-7, Second Floor, Residency Area, Civil Lines, Jaipur - 302001
  Phone: 0141-2222465
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Telangana
  Address: 2nd Floor, Corporate Bhawan, GSI Post, Tattiannaram Nagole, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad - 500068
  Phone: 040-29805427
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC Uttarakhand
  Address: 10/499 B, Allenganj, Khalasi Line, Kanpur - 208002
  Phone: 0512-2550688
  Email: [email protected]
• ROC West Bengal
  Address: Nizam Palace, 2nd MSO Building, 2nd Floor, 234/4, A.J.C.B. Road, Kolkata - 700020
  Phone: 033-22877390
  Email: [email protected]

You can also file a complaint using https://pgportal.gov.in/:

To file a complaint, you need to be a registered user on the PG Portal. Here's how to register:

1. Visit the pgportal.gov.in website.
2. Click on the "Register" option, usually found at the top-right corner.
3. Fill in the registration form with your details: name, email ID, mobile number, and address. You may also need to provide ID proof details (e.g., Aadhaar or PAN number).
4. Create a password and submit the form.
5. Verify your email or mobile number through the OTP or link sent by the portal.

Once registered, log in using your credentials. If you already have an account, simply log in to proceed.

Navigate to the Grievance Filing Section

After logging in, follow these steps to start filing your complaint:

1. On the homepage, click on "Lodge Public Grievance."
2. Select the "Central Government" option, as the MCA is a central ministry.
3. From the list of ministries/departments, choose "Ministry of Corporate Affairs."
4. You'll be directed to a grievance form tailored for MCA-related complaints.

This ensures your complaint is routed to the MCA, which oversees the ROC.

Fill Out the Grievance Form

The grievance form on pgportal.gov.in is comprehensive and requires specific details. Here's what you'll need to provide:

- Personal Details: Enter your name, address, city, state, country, and contact information.
- Grievance Description: Clearly explain the issue in simple language. For example, "The company failed to pay my dividend for the past two years" or "The director fraudulently transferred shares without my consent."
- Company Details: Provide the company's name, CIN (available on the MCA website), and registered address.
- Complaint Category: Select the appropriate category, such as "Non-payment of dividends," "Fraudulent activities," or "Non-filing of returns."
- Supporting Documents: Upload scanned copies of evidence, such as share certificates, correspondence with the company, or legal documents. Ensure files are in PDF or JPEG format and within the portal's size limits (usually 5 MB per file).
- Previous Action Taken: Mention if you've contacted the company or filed a complaint elsewhere (e.g., police or consumer court).

Be concise but thorough in your description. Avoid vague statements and focus on facts to make your case compelling.

Submit the Complaint

Once you've filled out the form and attached documents, review everything for accuracy. Click "Submit" to lodge your complaint. Upon submission, you'll receive a unique registration number (also called a grievance ID). Note this down, as it's essential for tracking your complaint's status.

Track Your Complaint

The pgportal.gov.in platform allows you to monitor the progress of your complaint. To check the status:

1. Log in to your PG Portal account.
2. Click on "View Status" or "Track Grievance."
3. Enter your grievance registration number and password.
4. The portal will display updates, such as whether the complaint has been forwarded to the ROC, is under review, or has been resolved.

You can also file a clarification or reminder if there's no progress within 30 days, as per the DARPG's grievance redressal timeline.

Follow Up with the ROC or MCA

After submitting your complaint, the MCA forwards it to the relevant ROC office based on the company's registered address. The ROC may:

- Request additional information or documents from you.
- Conduct an inquiry under Section 206 of the Companies Act, 2013, which grants them powers akin to a civil court.
- Order an inspection of the company's records or summon directors for examination.
- Escalate serious complaints to the Central Government for further investigation under Section 208.

If the ROC finds the company at fault, it may impose penalties, initiate prosecutions, or order corrective actions like refunding dividends or reversing fraudulent transactions. You'll receive updates via email or the PG Portal.