Section 20 in The Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Fees) Act, 2015
20. Penalties.
(1)The Regulating Authority if, of the opinion that any person has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, may direct such person to pay a penalty-(a)for the first contravention, which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees or twice the amount taken in excess of the fee as determined under this Act, whichever is higher;(b)for the second or subsequent contravention, which shall not be less than two lakh rupees but which may extend to ten lakh rupees or twice the amount taken in excess of the fee as determined under this Act, whichever is higher.(2)Whoever, provides incorrect information, fabricated and fake books of accounts, fraudulent documents, and such other evidence etc., to the authorities, whether or not the act is done for profit or gain, is said to have committed an offence and shall, on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months.(3)The offence under sub-section (2) shall be cognizable.(4)If during the course of enquiry under this section, it is found that the unaided institution has charged the fees in excess of those approved by the Authority; such fees shall be returned to the concerned student.(5)On repetition of contravention or irregularity, the name of the institution shall be recommended for the withdrawal of affiliation or approval from concerned authority.(6)Where the offence or irregularity under this Act or rules made thereunder is committed by a Management, every person designated by the management, from such management, for the purpose, who, at the time when the offence or irregularity was committed, was in charge of, and responsible to, the management for the conduct of the business of the management, as well as the management, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be proceeded against and punished accordingly:Provided that, nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any person liable to punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he has taken due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.(7)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (6), where any offence under this Act or the rules made thereunder has been committed by a management and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of any office bearer, officer or servant, such office bearer, officer or servant concerned shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
