Offences and Penalties

(1) Whoever in contravention of the provisions of section 10, (i) damages, destroys or defaces a public water distribution system shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine, which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000 or equal to the amount of damage caused to the system or loss suffered by the Authority, whichever is higher, or with both; (ii) tampers a public water distribution system to disturb working of system, tampers valves or similar devices to change the flow, tamper with flow measurement devices including water meter shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to Rs. 50,000 or with both; (iii) obstructs, diverts, breaks or interferes with flow of water; or impedes operations or maintenance of system shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to Rs. 20,000 or with both. (2) Whoever in contravention of the provisions of section 10 draws water from a public distribution system by connecting or joining a pipe or other attachment directly or indirectly, or by any means, for any purpose without an authorized connection obtained from the authority shall be punishable with such punishment as provided in Schedule I. (3) Whoever in contravention of the provisions of sub-clauses (i) to (vi) of sub-section (1) of section 10 draws water in excess of permitted quantity directly or indirectly by tampering the system, use of wrongful means or in contravention of terms and conditions on which water connection has been granted by the Authority, shall be punishable with such penalty as provided in Schedule II. (4) Whoever other than a user who has a residential connection, in contravention of the provisions of section 10 uses the water other than the purpose for which the water connection is granted shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to Rs. 20,000. (5) A person taking away in an unauthorized manner or indulging in the theft of material, equipment or device used or stocked for the purpose of public water distribution system shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine, which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000 or with both. (6) Whoever abets any offence specified in sub-sections (i) to (v) of sub-section (1) of section 10 shall be punished with the punishment provided for the offence in the relevant sub-section of this section: Provided that whenever such an offence is abetted by an employee, officer, office bearer or an agency engaged by the Authority, the abettor shall be punished with imprisonment or fine provided for the offence which shall be double the amount specified in the relevant sub-sections, or with both.