Penalty for not obtaining licence in respect of place of public entertainment or certificate of registration in respect

(1) Whoever fails to obtain a licence under this Act in respect of a place of public entertainment or a certificate of registration thereunder in respect of any eating house, or to renew the licence or the certificate, as the case may be, within the prescribed period shall on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000. (2) Any Court trying any such offence shall, in addition, direct that the person keeping the place of public entertainment or the eating house in respect of which the offence has been committed shall close such place or eating house until he obtains a licence or fresh licence, or a certificate of registration or fresh certificate of registration, as the case may be, in respect thereof and thereupon such person shall forthwith comply with such direction. (3) If the person fails to comply with any such direction, he shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to Rs. 2,000, or with both. (4) Without prejudice to any action taken under sub-section (3) on the failure of such person to comply with the direction of the court, any police officer authorised by the Commissioner, by an order in writing, may take or cause to be taken such steps and use or cause to be used such force as may, in the opinion of such officer, be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with the Court’s direction.