(1)Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, agency, firm or association, every person who, at the time of the offence was committed, was in charge of and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company, agency, firm or association, as well as the company, agency, firm or association shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
