Introduction
An academic visit was organized to the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ROC) on 20th January 2026 to gain practical insight into the functioning of corporate regulatory authorities. The interaction was held with the Assistant Registrar of Companies, Mr. Vyomesh Sheth, who explained important aspects relating to partnerships, companies, LLPs, and the role of the ROC.
Expulsion of Partners
The primary query during the visit related to the expulsion of partners. It was clarified that:
∙ Expulsion of a partner depends entirely on the Partnership Deed.
∙ The deed must expressly provide for expulsion, and it must be exercised in good faith. ∙ In case of disputes, the partnership deed is the most basic and first document referred to for resolving issues.
Partnership, Company, and LLP
Mr. Sheth explained the difference between a partnership, a company, and an LLP:
∙ Partnership (Indian Partnership Act, 1932): No separate legal entity; partners have unlimited liability.
∙ Company (Companies Act, 2013): Separate legal entity with limited liability of members and strict compliance requirements.
∙ LLP (LLP Act, 2008): A hybrid of partnership and company. It has a separate legal entity, and the liability of each partner is limited. One partner is not liable for the misconduct or negligence of other partners.
Importance of Deed / Agreement
It was emphasized that in partnerships and LLPs, the deed or LLP agreement governs all internal matters such as admission, expulsion, profit sharing, and dispute resolution. Authorities rely primarily on these documents in case of conflicts.
Role and Jurisdiction of ROC
∙ The role of the ROC begins after statutory forms are filed.
∙ ROC deals mainly with compliance and does not interfere in internal management unless there is statutory non-compliance.
∙ Each ROC has a defined territorial jurisdiction over specific States and Union Territories.
Delegation of Powers
Mr. Sheth also explained that corporate laws clearly define the distribution of powers:
∙ ROC: Registration, filings, inspections, and compliance-related actions. ∙ Regional Director (RD): Delegated matters such as compounding of offences and administrative approvals.
∙ Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA): Policy-making and overall supervision. ∙ National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT): Judicial matters like oppression and mismanagement, mergers, and winding up.
Conclusion
The visit provided valuable practical exposure to corporate law administration. It enhanced understanding of the importance of partnership deeds, the structure of LLPs, and the defined roles of ROC and other authorities under corporate laws.
Roopkiran Kaur Shetra