Section 9: Offences

9. Offences (1) Any person who— (a) sells any chemical fertiliser containing deleterious ingredients; (b) sells any chemical fertiliser having a composition which exceeds the limits of variation specified in the fourth column of the Second Schedule; (c) affixes any false or misleading label in relation to the particulars, description or composition of any chemical fertiliser; (d) tampers with any sample taken or submitted for analysis; (e) obstructs a sampling officer in the execution of his duties under this Act; (f) fails to comply with an order of the Court under section 7 (2); or (g) contravenes this Act, any regulation made under this Act or any condition attached to a licence, shall commit an offence. (2) Every person who commits an offence shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 1,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. (3) The Court before which a person is convicted of an offence may, in addition to any penalty imposed, order any chemical fertiliser in respect of which the offence was committed to be forfeited. (4) No proceedings shall be taken, in respect of any misstatement as to the particulars to be furnished under section 4 (2) in relation to a chemical fertiliser, where the particulars do not exceed the limits of variation specified in the fourth column of the Second Schedule.