Section 18 in Kerala (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Regulation of Issue of Community Certificates Act, 1996
18. Penalty for issuing false Community Certificate.
- Any person or authority performing the functions of Competent Authority under this Act, who intentionally issues a false Community Certificate, shall on conviction, be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend upto two years and also with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but which may extend up to five thousand rupees :Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be recorded in the judgement, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser term or fine.(2)No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under the section except with the previous sanction of the Government.
