National Lockdown: ViolatorsFace Punishment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on Tuesday night, announced a national lockdown with effect from midnight. PM Modi complimented the nation on the overwhelming response to his appeal for Janata Curfew on Sunday, March 22.

While the Sunday lockdown was voluntary and the ones announced by the state governments across the country are already in force, what does this national lockdown mean? In the case of a national lockdown as announced by the Prime Minster, uniform guidelines will be in force across the country as announced by the Narendra Modi, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Lockdown, Punishment (MHA).

In such a scenario, punishment for those who flout guidelines is also stringent. Take a look:

Punishment For Violators

• Violations of various kinds invite punishments of imprisonment up to 2 years and fines.

• If an authorised individual is prevented from carrying out his duty, the offender is liable to be punished by a jail term which may extend up to a period of one year or fine or both.

• An offender who makes a false claim in order to violate the lock down may face imprisonment for a period of two years and could also invite a fine.

• Hoarding of money, essential supplies or relief material is punishable with a jail term of two years and a fine.

• Miscreants creating panic could be jailed for a period of one year or fined.