27. Unqualified persons not to sign documents

(1) No person other than a member of the Institute shall sign any document on behalf of a Company Secretary in practice or a firm of such Company Secretaries 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 five thousand rupees but which may extend to one 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 a fine not less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees or with both.