Know Your Punishment For Violating ‘Lockdown’ In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha was perhaps the most proactive state when it framed the Odisha COVID-19 Regulation, 2020 for prevention and containment of Coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19), declaring it a ‘disaster’ about a week back.

Now, in another bold move, the Naveen Patnaik-led government has ordered a weeklong lockdown, beginning tomorrow till March 29. The CM warned of tough action against anyone “‘risking their life, the lives of their family members and people of Odisha” by violating this lockdown.

Here is what will happen if you step out between 7am and 9pm on these days or violate any of the regulations:

You shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

And this means that:

• You can be punished with simple imprisonment for one month.
• A fine of up to Rs 200
• Or both imprisonment and fine

And if the disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety:

• Imprisonment of up to six months
• A fine of up to Rs 1000
• Or both these.

A case can also be booked under Sections 269, 270 and 271 of IPC for not complying with the regulatory orders to contain COVID-19 in Odisha.

Sections 269 of IPC

Negligently doing something that may spread infection of any disease dangerous to life.

Six-moth imprisonment or fine or both.

This is cognizable crime and a person can get bail for it.

Section 270 of IPC

Malignantly doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease, which may pose threat to life.

Six-month imprisonment for the cognizable offence, or fine or both.

Section 271 of IPC

Knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule.

This is a non-cognizable and the accused may be imprisoned for six months, or slapped with fine or both for the crime.