ABSTRACT: Transition metal complexes have been used widely by many bioinorganic chemists for developing active transition metal anticancer complexes with better efficiency. The interaction of transition metal complexes with DNA has been a subject of passionate research in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. To synthesize a new Schiff base ligand (1-Methyl-4-nitro-benzene(2-imino-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-(4-nitro-phenyl)- amine) by the condensation reaction between isatin and p-nitroaniline and Its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes were prepared by the interaction of the Schiff base ligand with metal(II) chloride. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, EPR, UV–Vis, magnetic susceptibility measurements and conductivity measurements. DNA cleavage activity by the complexes was performed by gel electrophoresis method. The Schiff base and its complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Klebsila Pneumonia.). All the synthesized complexes have distorted octahedral geometry and the coordination of ligand to metal complexes confirmed by IR spectral studies . In all the biological studies, metal complexes show better activity than the ligands.