Section 7
7 PENALTIES.

[ 47 (1) If any person contravenes any order made under Sec.
3, -

(a) he shall be punishable, -

(i) in the case of an order made with reference to Cl.(h) or
Cl.(i) of sub-section (2) of that section, with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to one year and shall also be
liable to fine, and

(ii) in the case of any other order, with imprisonment for a
term which shall not be less than three months but which may
extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine;

[ 48 * * * 48 ]

(b) any property in respect of which the order has been
contravened shall be forfeited to the Government;

(c) any packing, covering or receptacle in which the
property is found and any animal, vehicle, vessel or other
conveyance used in carrying the property shall, if the Court
so orders, be forfeited to the Government.

(2) If any person to whom a direction is given under Cl. (b)
of sub-section (4) of Sec. 3 fails to comply with the
direction, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a
term which shall not be less than three months but which may
extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.

[ 49 * * * 49 ] 47 ]

(2-A) If any person convicted of an offence under sub-clause
(ii) of Cl. (a) of sub-section (1) or under sub-section (2)
is again convicted of an offence under the same provision,
he shall be punishable with imprisonment for the second and
for every subsequent offence for a term which shall not be
less than six months but which may extend to seven years and
shall also be liable to fine :

[ 50 * * * 50 ]

[ 51 2-B.* * * 51 ]

[ 52 (3) Where a person having been convicted of an offence
under sub-section (1) is again convicted of an offence under
that sub-section for contravention of an order in respect of
an essential commodity, the Court by which such person is
convicted shall, in addition to any penalty which may be
imposed on him under that sub-section, by order, direct
that person shall not carry on any business in that
essential commodity for such period, not being less than six
months, as may be specified by the Court in the order. 52 ]