Chartered Accountants Act, 1949

Unqualified persons not to sign documents.

26. (1) No person other than a member of the Institute shall sign any document on behalf of a chartered accountant [in practice] or a firm of [such] chartered accountants in his or its professional capacity.

[(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall, without prejudice to any other proceedings, which may be taken against him, be punishable on first conviction with a fine not less than [one lakh rupees] but which may extend to [five lakh rupees], and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine not less than [two lakh rupees] but which may extend to [ten lakh rupees] or with both.]