IEPF से अनक्लेम्ड शेयर और डिविडेंड वापस कैसे पाएँ
At a glance
- Law
- Companies Act, 2013 (Ss. 124–125) · IEPF Rules, 2016
- Who
- Shareholder, or legal heir / nominee / legatee
- Where
- MCA portal (Form IEPF-5) and the company's Nodal Officer
- Time
- 4–8 months from Form IEPF-5
What it is
Where dividend on shares remains unpaid or unclaimed for seven consecutive years, the company must transfer those shares and the unclaimed dividend to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) under Section 124(6) of the Companies Act, 2013. The shares are not lost. The shareholder, or the legal heirs of a deceased shareholder, can claim them back from the IEPF Authority under Section 125 and the IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016.
Who can apply
- The registered shareholder
- The legal heir, nominee or legatee of a deceased shareholder, after the shares are first transmitted in that person's name
Step-by-step process
- 1
Find the holding
Search the company's website or the IEPF Authority's website for the list of shares transferred to IEPF, using the shareholder's name and folio or demat number.
- 2
Transmission (only if the shareholder has died)
The legal heir first applies to the company or its Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) for transmission. Depending on the value and the company's policy, this needs a succession certificate or probate, or affidavits, indemnity and a no-objection from the other heirs.
- 3
Entitlement letter
The company or RTA verifies the claim and issues an entitlement letter confirming the claimant's right to the shares.
- 4
Online claimForm IEPF-5
The claimant files Form IEPF-5 on the MCA portal, with the entitlement letter and the company's details.
- 5
Submission to the company
A signed copy of the e-form, with the original documents, is sent to the company's Nodal Officer.
- 6
Verification report
The company verifies the claim and files its report with the IEPF Authority.
- 7
Refund
On approval, the shares are credited to the claimant's demat account, and the unclaimed dividend is paid to the claimant's bank account.
Documents required
Checklist · 8 items- Copy of the filed Form IEPF-5 with acknowledgement
- Entitlement letter issued by the company or RTA
- Indemnity bond (on non-judicial stamp paper) and advance receipt, in the prescribed format
- PAN and Aadhaar of the claimant
- Client master list of the claimant's demat account
- Cancelled cheque of a bank account in the claimant's name
- Original share certificates, if held in physical form, or a statement of loss
- If the shareholder has died: death certificate and the transmission documents (succession certificate / probate / heirship affidavits)
Time usually taken
4 to 8 months from filing of Form IEPF-5
Ordinarily four to eight months from filing of Form IEPF-5 where documents are in order. Transmission, where needed, adds to this period.
Points to remember
- 01Shares held physically must now be dematerialised before they can be credited, so the claimant needs a demat account.
- 02There is no time limit for claiming shares from IEPF.
- 03Many families discover such holdings only while sorting old papers of a deceased parent. Old dividend warrants and share certificates are worth preserving.
Frequently asked questions
Why were my shares transferred to IEPF?
Where dividend remains unpaid or unclaimed for seven consecutive years, the company must transfer those shares and the unclaimed dividend to the IEPF under Section 124(6) of the Companies Act, 2013. The shares can be claimed back.
Is there a time limit to claim shares from IEPF?
No. There is no time limit for claiming shares from IEPF.
Can a legal heir claim a deceased parent's shares from IEPF?
Yes. The legal heir first obtains transmission of the shares from the company or its RTA, then obtains an entitlement letter and files Form IEPF-5.
Is a demat account needed to claim shares from IEPF?
Yes. Shares held physically must now be dematerialised before they can be credited, so the claimant needs a demat account.
About the author
Advocate Vivekanand
Founder & Principal Advocate, Vivekanand Law Firm · MA (English), MBA, LL.B., Author. Full profile
Disclaimer. This publication is for general legal information and education only. It is not legal advice on any particular matter and does not create an advocate-client relationship. Procedures, fees and time limits change from time to time and may differ from office to office; verify the current position before acting.
यह प्रकाशन केवल सामान्य कानूनी जानकारी और शिक्षण के लिए है; यह किसी विशेष मामले में कानूनी सलाह नहीं है, और इससे अधिवक्ता-मुवक्किल संबंध नहीं बनता।
— Adv. Vivekanand, Motihari
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