Section 21. Punishment for contravention of section 3.

(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.