Motor Vehicles Act Section 179 — Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information
CHAPTER XIII OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
Civil
Summary
Sub-section (1) covers two kinds of behaviour. First, it is an offence to wilfully disobey any direction that has been lawfully given by a person or authority who is empowered under this Act to give that direction. Second, it is an offence to obstruct any person or authority who is carrying out any function that they are required or empowered to perform under this Act. In both cases, the offence applies only if no other penalty is already provided for that specific act. The punishment is a fine that may go up to two thousand rupees.
Sub-section (2) deals with the supply of information. If a person is required by or under this Act to provide any information, it is an offence for them to wilfully withhold that information. It is also an offence for them to give information that they know to be false, or that they do not believe to be true. This offence also applies only if no other penalty is already provided for the act. The punishment is imprisonment for a term that may extend to one month, or a fine that may extend to two thousand rupees, or both.
Official Text
(1) Whoever wilfully disobeys any direction lawfully given by any person or authority empowered under this Act to give such direction, or obstructs any person or authority in the discharge of any functions which such person or authority is required or empowered under this Act to discharge, shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence be punishable with fine which may extend to 2[two thousand rupees].
(2) Whoever, being required by or under this Act to supply any information, wilfully withholds such information or gives information which he known to be false or which he does not believe to be true, shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to 2[two thousand rupees], or with both.