Penalty for concealment of turnover and evasion of Tax

(1) If the Commissioner, in the course of any proceeding under this Act, is satisfied that any dealer: (a) has without reasonable cause, failed to furnish the return which he was required to furnish under section 15 or section 18 or has, without reasonable cause, failed to furnish it within the time allowed and in the manner required, or (b) has, without reasonable cause, failed to comply with a notice under sub-section (2) of section 16, or (c) has, concealed the particulars of his turnover or deliberately furnished inaccurate particulars of such turnover, or (d) has, evaded in any way the liability to pay tax, he may direct that such dealer shall pay by way of penalty, in addition to the tax payable by him, a sum not exceeding one and a half times that amount. (2) No order under sub-section (1) shall be made unless a dealer has been heard or has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (3) No penalty under his section shall be imposed by an officer appointed to assist the Commissioner without the previous sanction of the Commissioner.