The AOA of a private limited company stipulates that for holding AGM giving 14 days notice is sufficient. Is this clause a valid one when section 171 prescribes 21 days ?
There is a view taken by the Thinktank of the company that this AOA has been approved by the ROC , its a public document.
This is to inform you that AOA and MOA are very much a public document and there is no doubt at all.
Further regarding 14 days notice for AGM I would like to submit as follows:
Position regarding public company
AOA of the company cannot overrule the specific provisions of the company Act, 1956. Regarding Length of notice section 171 is too specific and talks about 21 days clear notice. Hence provision in the AOA which requires 14 days notice is totally invalid in case of a public company. The above opinion is also supported by section 170(1)(i).
Position regarding private company
Kindly refer section 170(1)(ii), provisions of company act shall apply, unless otherwise provide in the AOA. So if the provisions of AOA are different in the private company for section 171 to 186, provision of AOA shall prevail over company act, 1956.
Conclusion
In your private company case 14 days notice for AGM is valid.