Section 7. Penalty.

(1) Whoever acquires any assigned land in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 3 shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with both: 1[Provided that any person who has voluntarily disclosed and surrendered the assigned land in his possession or discloses and surrenders the assigned land in his possession within 90 days from the commencement of Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) (Amendment) Act, 2[2007] shall be exempted from prosecution.] (2) Whoever opposes or impedes the District Collector or any person authorised, in taking possession of any assigned land under this Act shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both. 3[(2A) Any officer, violating the provisions under sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5 shall be punished with simple imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.] (3) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this section, except with the previous sanction of the District Collector.