¹[24. Offences.—(1) Without prejudice to any award of penalty by the adjudicating officer ²[or the Board] under this Act, if any person contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of the provisions of this Act or of any rules or regulations made thereunder, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to ³ [ten years, or with fine, which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or with both].

(2) If any person fails to pay the penalty imposed by the adjudicating officer ²[or the Board] or fails to comply with any ⁴*** directions or orders, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extend to ⁵ [ten years, or with fine, which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or with both].

1. Subs. by s. 13,ibid., for section 24 (w.e.f. 25-1-1995).
2. Ins. by Act 13 of 2018, s. 187 (w.e.f. 8-3-2019).
3. Subs. by Act 59 of 2002, s. 28, for "one year, or with fine, or with both " (w.e.f. 29-10-2002).
4. The words "of his " omitted by s. 187,ibid. (w.e.f. 8-3-2019).
5. Subs. by s. 28, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 29-10-2002).