Section 15 of EPA : Section 15: Penalty For Contravention Of The Provisions Of The Act And The Rules, Orders And Directions

Explanation using Example

Imagine a factory that discharges untreated industrial waste into a nearby river, violating the environmental regulations established under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The pollution control board discovers this and takes legal action against the factory owner. According to Section 15(1), the owner could face a punishment of imprisonment up to five years and/or a fine up to one lakh rupees. If the factory continues to discharge waste even after the conviction, an additional fine of five thousand rupees per day could be levied for each day the contravention persists. If this non-compliance continues for over a year, under Section 15(2), the owner's imprisonment could extend to seven years.