Section 23(1) in The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development And Regulation) Act, 2002
(1)(a)Whoever undertakes any reconnaissance operation, exploration operation or production operation in offshore area without any permit, licence or lease, as the case may be, granted under this Act shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both.(b)A permittee, licensee or lessee who does not furnish any data, information or document under sub-section (2) of section 5, in the manner provided therein, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees, or with both.(c)Any vessel, together with its gear, boats, stores and cargo, used or employed in violation of section 5, along with any mineral recovered or processed in violation of that section, if any, shall be confiscated.(d)Whoever ships, transports, offers for sale, sells, purchases, imports, exports, or has custody, control or possession of, any mineral recovered, processed or retained in violation of this Act or any rule made thereunder shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to fifty lakh rupees, or with both.
