Section 21 in The Mines And Minerals (Development And Regulation) Act, 1957
21. Penalties. - [(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (1A) of section 4 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees per hectare of the area.
(2)Any rule made under any provision of this Act may provide that any contravention thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees, or with both, and in the case of a continuing contravention, with additional fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first such contravention.](3)[ Where any person trespasses into any land in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 4, such trespasser may be served with an order of eviction by the State Government or any authority authorised in this behalf by that Government and the State Government or such authorised authority may, if necessary, obtain the help of the police to evict the trespasser from the land.] [Inserted by Act 56 of 1972, Section 12 (w.e.f. 12.9.1972). ](4)[ Whenever any person raises, transports or causes to be raised or transported, without any lawful authority, any mineral from any land, and, for that purpose, uses any tool, equipment, vehicle or any other thing, such mineral, tool, equipment, vehicle or any other thing shall be liable to be seized by an officer of authority specially empowered in this behalf.(4A)Any mineral, tool, equipment, vehicle or any other thing seized under sub-section (4), shall be liable to be confiscated by an order of the Court competent to take cognizance of the offense under sub-section (1) and shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of such Court.] [ Substituted by Act 38 of 1999, Section 17, for sub-Section (4) (w.e.f. 18.12.1999).](5)[ Whenever any person raises, without any lawful authority, any mineral from any land, the State Government may recover from such person the mineral so raised, or where such mineral has already been disposed of, the price thereof, and may also recover from such person, rent, royalty or tax, as the case may be, for the period during which the land was occupied by such person without any lawful authority.] [Inserted by Act 56 of 1972, Section 12 (w.e.f. 12.9.1972). ](6)[ Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), an offense under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.] [ Inserted by Act 37 of 1986, Section 16 (w.e.f. 10.2.1987).]Explanation.—On and from the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)Amendment Act, 2021, the expression “raising, transporting or causing to raise or transport any mineral without any lawful authority” occurring in this section, shall mean raising, transporting or causing to raise or transport any mineral by a person without prospecting licence, mining lease or composite licence, exploration licence or in contravention of the rules made under section 23C.’
