Any person who, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of any notification or rule made hereunder, knowingly takes delivery of any cotton from a notified station or imports, or attempts to import, any cotton into a protected area, and any station master or other railway sub- section (1) of section 5, without reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie upon him, delivers any cotton to a consignee or other person, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, and upon any subsequent conviction to imprisonment which may extend to three months, or to fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or to both.
