30. Power of Reserve Bank to impose ¹[penalties].—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 26, if a contravention or default of the nature referred to in sub-section (2) ²[or sub-section (3)] or sub-section (6) of section 26, as the case may be, the Reserve Bank may impose on the person contravening or committing default a penalty not exceeding ³[ten lakh] rupees or twice the amount involved in such contravention or default where such amount is quantifiable, whichever is more, and where such contravention or default is a continuing one, a further penalty which may extend to twentyfive thousand rupees for every day after the first during which the contravention or default continues.

(2) For the purpose of imposing penalty under sub-section (1), the Reserve Bank shall serve a notice on the defaulter requiring him to show cause why the amount specified in the notice should not be imposed as a penalty and a reasonable opportunity of being heard shall also be given to such defaulter.

(3) Any penalty imposed by the Reserve Bank under this section shall be payable within a period of thirty days from the date on which notice issued by the Reserve Bank demanding payment of the sum is served on the defaulter and, in the event of failure of the person to pay the sum within such period, may be recovered on a direction made by the principal civil court having jurisdiction in the area where the registered office of the defaulter company or the official business of the person is situated:

Provided that no such direction shall be made, except on an application made by an officer of the Reserve Bank authorised by it in this behalf.

(4) The Reserve Bank may recover the amount of penalty by debiting the current account, if any, of the defaulter or by liquidating the securities held to the credit of the defaulter or in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(5) The court which makes a direction under sub-section (3) shall issue a certificate specifying the sum payable by the defaulter and every such certificate shall be enforceable in the same manner as it were a decree made by the court in a civil suit.

(6) Where any complaint has been filed against any person in any court in respect of the contravention or default of the nature referred to in sub-section (2), or, as the case may be, sub-section (4) of section 26, then, no proceeding for the imposition of any penalty on the person shall be taken under this section.


1. Subs. by s. 2 and schedule, ibid., for "fines " (w.e.f. 22-1-2024).
2. Ins. by s. 2 and schedule, ibid. (w.e.f. 22-1-2024).
3. Subs. by s. 2 and schedule, ibid., for "five lakh " (w.e.f. 22-1-2024).