Not wearing a mask is a cognizable and non-bailable offence. Spot fine of Rs. 250.

The High Court of Karnataka cracked down on those violating COVID-19 norms and interpreted the provisions of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020. The High Court held that not wearing a mask in a public space and not maintaining social distance of minimum 1 meter is a cognizable and non-bailable offence under the Regulations of the Act.

Whosoever violates such Regulations can be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months, but which may extend to five years and with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees, but which may extend to two lakh rupees.

Relevant extracts of the said order have been reproduced below-

“Under sub-section (4) of Section 5, whosoever contravenes the Regulations or orders made under the said Act, can be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months, but which may extend to five years and with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees, but which may extend to two lakh rupees. Under sub-section (1) of Section 9 of the said Act, an offence punishable under Section 5 is cognizable and non-bailable.

Under the said Regulations, it is provided that when any person is in a public place, he/she shall compulsorily wear a mask and maintain social distancing of a minimum 1 metre from another person. Under clause (2) of Regulation 2 of the Regulations, whosoever contravenes clause (i) of Regulation 2 shall be punished in accordance with the said Ordinance (now the said Act). In addition, the officers mentioned in clause (2) of Regulation 2 have been authorized to levy spot fine of Rs.250/- in Municipal Corporation areas and Rs.100/- in other than Municipal Corporation areas from the violators.”