Offences and penalties

If any user of ground water: (a) contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or any rule made thereunder, (a) obstructs the Authority or any other person authorized by it to exercise any of the powers under this Act, He shall be punishable, (i) for the first offence with fine as prescribed by the Authority, and (ii) for the subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine as prescribed by the Authority; Provided that no court shall take cognizance of any offence except on a report in writing by the officers of the Authority.