Offences and Penalties

Section 31 — Breach of Protection Order

The offence: Breach of a Protection Order or interim Protection Order (Section 18 or 23) by the respondent is an offence.

Punishment:

• First conviction: Imprisonment up to 1 year or fine up to ₹20,000 or both
• Subsequent conviction: Imprisonment may extend to 2 years

Nature of offence: Cognisable (police can arrest without warrant) and non-bailable.

Important: The Act also allows for simultaneous criminal prosecution under IPC/BNS alongside the civil proceedings. Both can run in parallel (Section 26).

Section 33 — Penalty on Protection Officer

If a Protection Officer fails to discharge duties without sufficient cause:

• Imprisonment up to 1 year or fine up to ₹20,000 or both

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