Section 19 — Inspection of documents; certified copies
Reviewed by CA Nikhil Gupta · Last reviewed 18 September 2026
A section-specific study and advisory page for inspection of documents; certified copies, linking the statutory issue to its trigger, evidence, subordinate law and practical consequence.
Finin2min 2-minute summary
Statutory subject: Inspection of documents; certified copies.
Who should read it: the society, subscriber/member, governing body, Registrar or litigating representative identified by the provision under the applicable State/UT regime.
When it matters: the regulator invokes or considers investigative/inquiry powers connected with inspection of documents; certified copies.
Legal effect: the authority may obtain information/evidence and use the statutory process only within the scope and safeguards of the enabling provision.
Statutory position — paraphrase, not bare text
This page is a provision-specific paraphrase, not a substitute for the enacted wording. The official source controls where a subsection, proviso, explanation, amount, period or amendment footnote matters.
For section 19, the working question is not merely “what is the heading?” It is whether the proven facts actually engage inspection of documents; certified copies, who has the statutory role, and what consequence follows once connected provisions are read together.
Provision-specific decode
| Decision point | Section 19 analysis |
|---|---|
| Actor / authority | the society, subscriber/member, governing body, Registrar or litigating representative identified by the provision under the applicable State/UT regime. |
| Trigger | the regulator invokes or considers investigative/inquiry powers connected with inspection of documents; certified copies. |
| Legal consequence | the authority may obtain information/evidence and use the statutory process only within the scope and safeguards of the enabling provision. |
| Evidence file | authorisation/order, summons or requisition, service proof, books/data produced, statements, custody/access logs and response record. |
| Review focus | Identify the precise authority and statutory power before responding. |
How section 19 works in practice
The workflow above is tied to this provision’s subject. Where the official text uses a prescribed period, amount, form, eligibility condition or exception, apply that exact current requirement rather than an assumed internal benchmark.
Linked Rules, Regulations, notifications, circulars and operating law
Practical example
Exam / advisory case study
Highlighted points and common mistakes
- Identify the precise authority and statutory power before responding.
- Preserve privilege, custody and authenticity issues without obstructing a lawful requirement.
- Keep the effective date of the Act provision and of each linked subordinate instrument in the working paper.
- Where facts span more than one regulatory period, analyse each period under the law then in force rather than applying today’s text retrospectively without a legal basis.
Related Act provisions
- Previous statutory provision: Section 18 — Such societies to file memorandum, etc., with Registrar of Joint-stock Companies
- Next statutory provision: Section 20 — To what societies Act applies
Q&A
When does section 19 become relevant?
The regulator invokes or considers investigative/inquiry powers connected with inspection of documents; certified copies.
What evidence should be kept for section 19?
Authorisation/order, summons or requisition, service proof, books/data produced, statements, custody/access logs and response record.
What is the main advisory risk under section 19?
Identify the precise authority and statutory power before responding.