Prosecution of delinquent directors, etc

(1) If it appears to the court in the course of a winding-up by or subject to the supervision of the court that any past or present director, manager, officer or member of the company has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally responsible, the court may, on the application of any person interested in the winding-up, or of its own motion, direct the liquidator to prosecute for the offence, and may order the costs and expenses to be paid out of the assets of the company. (2) If it appears to the liquidator in the course of a voluntary winding-up that any past or present director, manager, officer or member of the company has been guilty of any offence in relation to the company for which he is criminally responsible, the liquidator, with the previous sanction of the court may prosecute the offender, and all expenses properly incurred by him in the prosecution shall be payable out of the assets of the company in priority to all other liabilities.