16Penalties

(1) 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 ¹ [one year, or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees], or with both.

(2) The Scheme may provide that any person who contravenes, or makes default in complying with any of the provisions thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

(3) 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 punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

(4) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act or under the Scheme 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.