Section 16. Punishment.

(1) Whosoever willfully obstructs any person in doing any of the acts authorized under section 5, 6 or 7 of this Act or willfully fills up, destroys, damages or displaces any trench or mark made under section 5 or willfully does anything prohibited under the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 8, shall be punishable with simple imprisonment which may extend to six months or fine or with both. (2) Whosoever willfully removes, displaces, damages or destroys any underground pipelines or underground ducts shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year, but which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.