Section 49 of The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
Every person who willfully removes, destroys or damages any pipeline or city or local natural gas distribution network or other work of the common carrier or contract carrier for supplying petroleum, petroleum products or natural gas shall for each such offence be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to twenty-five crore rupees or with both, and, in case of continuing contravention with additional fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees for every day during which such contravention continues.
Summary
- This provision makes it a criminal offence to intentionally remove, destroy, or damage any pipeline, local gas distribution network, or other infrastructure of a common or contract carrier.
- A person found guilty of this crime can face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to twenty-five crore rupees, or both.
- If the offender continues to violate the rule day after day, they can be charged an additional fine of up to ten lakh rupees for every single day the contravention continues.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can someone be sent to jail for breaking a pipeline by accident?
No, the text specifies that the punishment applies to a person who willfully removes, destroys, or damages the pipeline or network.
2. What is the highest flat fine a court can give for a single act of sabotage?
The maximum fixed fine for an offence under this section is twenty-five crore rupees.
3. Does the penalty stop after the initial fine is paid if the damage is left ongoing?
No, in the case of a continuing contravention, an additional fine of up to ten lakh rupees can be applied for every day the issue continues.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 49 of The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006, what is the maximum prison sentence for a person who willfully damages a common carrier pipeline?
Q2.Under Section 49 of The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006, what financial penalty applies if an entity continues to damage a city natural gas distribution network day after day?
Q3.Under Section 49 of The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006, which of the following actions is explicitly required for a person to be punished for damaging a pipeline?
Q4.Under Section 49 of The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006, what is the maximum fixed fine a court can impose for a single, non-continuing offence of destroying a contract carrier?