Section 13: Offences

13. Offences (1) Any person who wilfully fails to comply with any interim order, protection order, occupation order, tenancy order or ancillary order made under this Act shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable— (a) on a first conviction, to a fine not exceeding 25,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years; (b) on a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding 50,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years. (2) Any person who commits an offence under subsection (1) may be arrested by the Police. (3) (a) The Police shall act with diligence in any case where an offence under the Act is reported to it. (b) Any police officer to whom an offence under this Act is reported shall report the matter forthwith— (i) to the nearest hospital or other medical institution, where the complainant is in urgent need of medical assistance; (ii) to the Permanent Secretary, where the complainant is in urgent need of counselling or any other form of psychological support. (c) Where the matter has been reported to the Permanent Secretary under paragraph (b), he shall arrange for the complainant to consult a P44 – 11 [Issue 7] Protection from Domestic Violence Act psychologist or other suitable person forthwith for counselling or such other support as may be required. [S. 13 amended by s. 10 of Act 11 of 2004 w.e.f. 19 June 2004; repealed and replaced by s. 6 of Act 23 of 2007 w.e.f. 15 September 2011.]