Binary complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) were synthesized using two novel Schiff bases L₁ = 2-(-(benzothiazol-6-ylimino)methyl)-4-chlorophenol (BTEMCP), L₂= 2-(-(benzothiazol-6-ylimino) methyl)-4-nitrophenol. The Schiff bases and metal complexes were characterized by analytical and spectral methods like elemental analysis, Mass, ¹H-NMR, ¹³ C-NMR, UV-Vis, IR, ESR, SEM, EDX, XRD and magnetic susceptibility measurements. From the analytical data, square planar geometry has been proposed for all themetal complexes. The binding interaction between the metal complexes and DNA was investigated by means of electronic absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The DNA cleavage ability ofthe metal complexes was also evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis method. These studies revealed that the complexes showed an intercalative mode of binding to CT DNA and also effectively cleaved the supercoiledpBR DNA. The synthesised compounds were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and found that the metal complexes showed more potent biocidal activity than theSchiff bases.