Section 205 — Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act: Report on offences to be made by trustee

Whenever an official receiver or trustee has grounds to believe that an offence under this Act or under any other statute, whether of Canada or a province, has been committed with respect to any bankrupt estate in connection with which he has been acting under this Act, or that for any special reason an investigation should be had in connection with that estate, it is the duty of the official receiver or trustee to report the matter to the court, including in the report a statement of all the facts or circumstances of the case within his knowledge, the names of the witnesses who should in his opinion be examined and a statement respecting the offence or offences believed to have been committed, and to forward a copy of the report forthwith to the Superintendent. The Superintendent or a creditor, inspector or other interested person who believes on reasonable grounds that a person is guilty of an offence under this Act or under any other statute, whether of Canada or a province, in connection with a bankrupt, his property or his transactions, may file a report with the court of the facts on which that belief is based, or he may make such further representations supplementary to the report of the official receiver or trustee as he may deem proper. Whenever the court is satisfied, on the representation of the Superintendent or any one on his behalf, of the official receiver or trustee or of any creditor, inspector or other interested person, that there is ground to believe that any person is guilty of an offence under this Act or under any other statute, whether of Canada or a province, in connection with the bankrupt, his property or transactions, the court may authorize the trustee to initiate proceedings for the prosecution of that person for that offence. Where a trustee is authorized or directed by the creditors, the inspectors or the court to initiate proceedings against any person believed to have committed an offence, the trustee shall institute the proceedings and shall send or cause to be sent a copy of the resolution or order, duly certified as a true copy thereof, together with a copy of all reports or statements of the facts on which the order or resolution was based, to the Crown Attorney or the agent of the Crown duly authorized to represent the Crown in the prosecution of criminal offences in the district where the alleged offence was committed.