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Wildlife offencesPossibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
§ 51(1) — general contravention of the Act / rules / orders / licence conditions (except Chapter VA and § 38J)Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 3 years
- Fine
- Up to ₹25,000
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
§ 51(1) proviso — offence in relation to a Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II animal (or meat / article / trophy from it), or hunting in / altering the boundaries of a sanctuary or national parkPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 3–7 years
- Fine
- Minimum ₹10,000
Minimum 3 years; second / subsequent offence: 3–7 years with fine minimum ₹25,000.
§ 51(1A) — contravention of Chapter VA (CITES provisions)Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 3–7 years
- Fine
- Minimum ₹10,000
Minimum 3 years.
§ 51(1B) — contravention of § 38J (zoo provisions)Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 6 months (repeat: 0–1 year)
- Fine
- Up to ₹2,000 (repeat: up to ₹5,000)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Secondary summaries conflict on the Schedule I tier (one gives 1–3 years / min ₹25,000; the bare-act text as amended in 2022 gives 3–7 years / min ₹10,000). The amended bare-act text is used below — see verificationNote.