Penalty for unlawful possession of electric supply-line material

Whoever is found to have been in possession of any electric supply-line material reasonably suspected of having been stolen or unlawfully obtained or retained shall, unless he proves that he was in lawful possession of such materials, shall be punishable,- (a) for the first offence, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and with fine and in the absence of special and adequate reasons to be recorded in the judgement of the Court, such imprisonment shall not be less than two years and such fine shall not be less than Rs. 1,000; (b) for the second or subsequent offence with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine and in the absence of special and adequate reasons to be mentioned in the judgement of the Court, such imprisonment shall not be less than three years and such fine shall not be less than Rs. 2,000.