The question raised in these appeals is whether the co-option of K.N. Narayana Iyer and K.C. Chandy as directors in a company called the Amalgamated Coffee Estates, Ltd., is valid. This company was formed with the object of carrying on business in coffee, tea, cardamom and other commodities and was incorporated under the Indian Companies Act in 1944. The last annual meeting of the company was held on 31st January, 1949. Article 55 of the Articles of the company provides that a general meeting shall be held within 18 months from the date of its incorporation and thereafter once at least in every calendar year at such time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the last preceding general meeting) and place as the directors may decide. In accordance with this provision the last day for holding the annual meeting would be 30th April, 1950, but no meeting was held either on or before that date. Notices were issued by the management on 21 st July, 1950, for an annual meeting to be held on 6th August, 1950. But this meeting, however, was cancelled on the ground that objections were taken to its legality. On 14th August, 1950, one of the shareholders, Mrs. A. Anantha