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Section 5A of The Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914

Penalties.

1[5A. Penalties.--Any person who knowingly exports any article or insect from a State or transports any article or insect from one State to another 52*** in contravention of a notification issued under section 4A, or attempts so to export or transport any article or insect 3*** and any person responsible for the booking of goods or parcels at a railway or inland steam vessel station who knowingly contravenes the provisions of section 4B shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees and, upon any subsequent conviction, with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.]

Summary

This section sets penalties for anyone who knowingly sends or transports insects or articles across state lines in violation of Section 4A notifications.
It also penalizes anyone who attempts to export or transport these insects or articles in violation of Section 4A.
It penalizes any clerk at a railway or inland steam boat station who knowingly books or handles parcels in violation of Section 4B.
A first-time offense under this section is punishable by a fine of up to two hundred and fifty rupees.
Any subsequent conviction (meaning a repeat offense) is punishable by a fine of up to two thousand rupees.

Practical examples

1On 5th September 2026, a merchant named Vikram knowingly attempts to drive a truckload of quarantined cotton seeds across a state border, violating a Section 4A ban. Since this is Vikram's first conviction, the court orders him to pay a fine of 200 rupees under Section 5A.

2A railway station booking clerk named Ramesh knowingly accepts a parcel of restricted beetle specimens for inter-state shipping without the required paperwork, violating Section 4B. Since Ramesh was already convicted of a similar offense last year, the judge sentences him to pay a fine of 1,200 rupees.

FAQ

1. What activities are penalized under Section 5A?

It penalizes knowingly exporting or transporting restricted items under Section 4A, attempting to do so, or knowingly booking such items at a station in violation of Section 4B.

2. Who at a transit station can be penalized under this section?

Any person responsible for booking goods or parcels at a railway station or an inland steam vessel station.

3. What is the maximum penalty for a first-time offender under Section 5A?

A fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.

4. What is the maximum penalty for someone who is convicted of a repeat offense under this section?

A fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

Test yourself

1.What is the maximum fine for a first conviction under Section 5A?

2.What is the maximum fine for a subsequent conviction under Section 5A?

3.Who at a station can be penalized under Section 5A for knowingly violating Section 4B?

4.Under Section 5A, what mental state is required to penalize someone for transporting restricted items?

5.Which of the following acts is NOT listed as a punishable offense under Section 5A?

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