16. Penalties
Whoever, for the purpose of avoiding any payment to be made by himself under this Act or under the Scheme or of enabling any other person to avoid such payment, knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement or false representation shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to [[six months], or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees], or with both.
The Scheme may provide that any person who contravenes, or makes default in complying with any of the provisions thereof [shall be liable to penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees].
Whoever contravenes or makes default in complying with any provision of this Act shall, if no other penalty is elsewhere provided by or under this Act for such contravention or non-compliance, [be liable to penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees].
No court shall take [cognizance of an offence punishable under sub-section (1) of this section except on a report in writing] of the facts constituting such offence made by the Seamen’s Provident Fund Commissioner or by an Inspector appointed under sub-section (1) of section 15, with the previous sanction of such authority as may be specified in this behalf by the Government.
[(5) The offence under sub-section (1) of this section may be compounded for the first contravention by an officer authorised by the Central Government by notification in this behalf.]
Amendment notes (6)
- 1Subs w.e.f. 12-11-1998 Subs. by Act 29 of 1997, s. 7 for “six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 12-11-1998).
- 2Subs w.e.f. 1-7-2026 Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for “one year” (w.e.f. 1-7-2026).
- 3Subs w.e.f. 1-7-2026 Subs. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-7-2026).
- 4Subs w.e.f. 1-7-2026 Subs. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-7-2026).
- 5Subs w.e.f. 1-7-2026 Subs. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-7-2026).
- 6Ins w.e.f. 1-7-2026 Ins. by s. 2 and Sch., ibid., (w.e.f. 1-7-2026).