A new series of transition metal Mn(II), Co(II), Ni (II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been synthes ized from N,N'- bis[1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethylene]ethane-1,2-diamin e(L) Schiff base ligand in 1:2 molar ratio. The res ulting complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, Magnetic susceptibility, Molar conductance, IR, UV -Vis, 1 HNMR, EPR and ESI-Mass Spectral techniques. The UV Visible, Magnetic Susceptibility and EPR spectral d ata of these complexes suggest an octahedral geometry arou nd the central metal ion and found to possess [ML 2 ] stoichiometry. All compounds were screened for thei r in vitro antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial strains and fungi by the disc diffusion method. A c omparative study of zone inhibition values (mm) of the ligand and its metal complexes indicates that metal complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity than free lig and. The DNA cleavage activity of all compounds was monitored by the agarose gel electrophoresis method. In this re sult Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes showed a completely cl eavage property than others. Invitro antioxidant an d DNA- binding properties of these complexes have been inv estigated by electronic absorption technique. The i ntrinsic binding constants (K b ) for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes are found as 3.02 x 10 5 , 2.93 X 10 5 and 4.84 X 10 5 M −1 respectively. The binding affinity to DNA has also been investigated by viscosity titration measureme nts which was observed in the order of EB > Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II).The experimental results suggest that the c omplexes bind to DNA via intercalation.