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NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday told states to take strict legal action against those who violated the provisions of lockdown. Over 80 districts across the country are under lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to state governments to ensure that rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced as he noted that many people are not taking the measure seriously.

"Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request state governments to ensure rules and laws are followed," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

Later in the day, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla held a video conference with DGPs of states where lockdown has been ordered and asked them to strictly implement the order.

With people defying the government order of lockdown, Maharashtra, Punjab and Puducherry governments announced curfew so that no one could come out of their houses.

Here are the legal provisions that may be invoked to punish the violators:

If you violate Section 144

Several districts across the country have imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPc) to enforce a lockdown. Section 144 is used to prohibit public gatherings and a gathering of over four people is deemed "unlawful" under this section. This means that if Section 144 has been imposed in your district you cannot organise or attend any mob marches or protests etc. Violators can be booked for "engaging in rioting". The maximum punishment for such an act is three years. Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) empowers police to arrest anyone who violates an order promulgated by a public servant. The violator can be punished with imprisonment of up to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 270: If you violate lockdown

The state governments have enforced partial or complete lockdown in at least 80 districts of India to curb the virus. As clarified by Mysore superintendent of police, CB Rishyanath, anyone seen loitering around on streets despite strict restrictions can be booked under Section 270 of IPC which applies for a "malignant act likely to spread infection of disease danger­ous to life". A violator can be jailed for up to two years or could be fined or both, without bail.

Section 271: If you violate quarantine restrictions

If you have tested positive for the virus or are a suspected case currently under quarantine then violating restrictions can land you in trouble. The Karnataka government has said that people who violate quarantine restrictions can be booked under IPC Section 271 (disobedience to quarantine rule) for a non-cognizable offence. Violators can be imprisoned for six months or can be made to pay a fine.

For violating curfew

In simple words under a curfew, you cannot leave your home without prior police permission. It is different from Section 144 as in the latter you can leave your house but cannot move in groups of more than four people; this makes curfew more stringent than Section 144. Violation of curfew can lead to your immediate detention by the police.

