21. Penalties.

Where a trader or person against whom a complaint is made or the complainant fails or omits to comply with any order made by the Divisional Forum or the State Commission, as the case may be, such trader or person shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extend to three years, or with fine which shall not be less than two thousand rupees but which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both: Provided that the Divisional Forum, or the State Commission, as the case may be, may, if it is satisfied that the circumstances of any case so require, impose a sentence of imprisonment or fine, or both, for a term lesser than the minimum term and amount lesser than the minimum amount specified in this section.