Offences and penalties

(1) Whoever,— (a) obtains a false Caste Certificate by furnishing false information or by filing false statement or documents or by any other fraudulent means; or (b) not belonging to any of the reserved category secures any benefit or appointment exclusively available for such reserved category in the Government, Local Authority or any public sector undertaking or in any Government aided institution, or secures admission in any educational, institution against a seat exclusively reserved for such reserved category or is elected to any of the elective offices of any Local Authority or Co-operative Society against the office, reserved for such category by producing a false Caste Certificate, shall, on conviction, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but may extend to two years or with fine which shall not be less than Rs. 2,000, but may extend to Rs. 20,000 or both. (2) No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this section except upon a complaint in writing made by the Scrutiny Committee or by any other Officer duly authorised by the Scrutiny Committee for this purpose.