Penalty for issuing a false community certificate

(1) Any person or authority performing the functions of competent authority under this Act, who intentionally issues a false community certificate, shall on conviction, be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term, which shall not be less than six months but which may extend upto two years and also with fine which shall not be less than Rs. 1,000 but which may extend up to Rs. 5,000: Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the Judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser term or fine. (2) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this section except with the previous sanction of the Government.