Section 52 of DMA : Section 52: Punishment For False Claim

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a hurricane has caused widespread damage in a coastal region. In the aftermath, the government announces financial aid for those whose homes have been damaged. A local resident, whose home suffered only minor, superficial damage, exaggerates the extent of the harm to his property when applying for government aid. He submits a claim for a large sum, stating that his house is uninhabitable and requires extensive repairs, even though he knows this to be untrue. The fraudulent claim is discovered during an inspection by the authorities. Under Section 52 of The Disaster Management Act, 2005, this individual could face legal consequences that include imprisonment for up to two years and a fine, since he knowingly made a false claim to receive benefits meant for disaster relief.