Chapter X — OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

Section 51Punishment for obstruction, etc

Section 51: Punishment for obstruction, etc

51. Punishment for obstruction, etc

Whoever, without reasonable cause---

(a)

obstructs any officer or employee of the Central Government or the State Government, or a person authorised by the National Authority or State Authority or District Authority [or Urban Authority] in the discharge of his functions under this Act; or

(b)

refuses to comply with any direction given by or on behalf of the Central Government or the State Government or the National Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee or the District Authority [or Urban Authority] under this Act, shall on conviction be punishable with [imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine, or with both, and if such obstruction or refusal to comply with directions results in loss of lives or imminent danger thereof, shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year].

Amendment notes (2)
  1. 1Ins w.e.f. 9-4-2025 Ins. by Act 10 of 2025, s. 31 (w.e.f. 9-4-2025).
  2. 2w.e.f. 15-05-2026 Sub. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch. for certain words (w.e.f. 15-05-2026).