Section 21
Punishment for contravention of section 3.
The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019
About this Act
An Act to provide for a comprehensive mechanism to ban the unregulated deposit schemes, other than deposits taken in the ordinary course of business, and to protect the interest of depositors and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(1) Any deposit taker who solicits deposits in
contravention of section 3 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less
than one year but which may extend to five years and with fine which shall not be less than two lakh
rupees but which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
(2) Any deposit taker who accepts deposits in contravention of section 3 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years and with fine which shall not be less than three lakh rupees but which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
(3) Any deposit taker who accepts deposits in contravention of section 3 and fraudulently defaults in repayment of such deposits or in rendering any specified service, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to ten years and with fine which shall not be less than five lakh rupees but which may extend to twice the amount of aggregate funds collected from the subscribers, members or participants in the Unregulated Deposit Scheme.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this Act,—
(i) the expression “fraudulently” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 25 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);
(ii) where the terms of the Deposit Scheme are entirely impracticable or unviable, the terms shall be relevant facts showing an intention to defraud.
(2) Any deposit taker who accepts deposits in contravention of section 3 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years and with fine which shall not be less than three lakh rupees but which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
(3) Any deposit taker who accepts deposits in contravention of section 3 and fraudulently defaults in repayment of such deposits or in rendering any specified service, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to ten years and with fine which shall not be less than five lakh rupees but which may extend to twice the amount of aggregate funds collected from the subscribers, members or participants in the Unregulated Deposit Scheme.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this Act,—
(i) the expression “fraudulently” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 25 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);
(ii) where the terms of the Deposit Scheme are entirely impracticable or unviable, the terms shall be relevant facts showing an intention to defraud.