56Penalty for concealment of sales or furnishing inaccurate particulars or making false representations

(1) If the Commissioner or any person appointed under sub-section (2) of section 9 to assist him, in the course of any proceedings under this Act, is satisfied that a dealer has concealed the particulars of his sales or has furnished inaccurate particulars of his sales, he may, after giving the dealer a reasonable opportunity of being heard, direct that the dealer shall pay, by way of penalty, in addition to the amount of tax payable, a sum not exceeding two and a half times the amount of tax which would thereby have been avoided.

(2) If a person commits an offence under clause (a) of section 50, the Commissioner or any person appointed under sub-section (2) of section 9 to assist him may, after giving that person a reasonable opportunity of being heard, by order in writing, impose upon such person by way of penalty, a sum not exceeding two and a half times the amount of tax which would thereby have been avoided.

(3) If a person purchasing goods commits an offence under clause (c) or clause (d) of section 50, the authority which granted him, or, as the case may be, is competent to grant him a certificate of registration under this Act, may, after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard by order in writing impose upon him by way of penalty, a sum not exceeding two and a half times the tax which could have been levied under this Act in respect of the sale to him of the goods, if the offence had not been committed.