The Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012.
punjab · 2013
The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.
- S. 2Section 2 defines key terms used in the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012, including "cheating," "competent authority," "dependent," "device," "document," "emigrant," and "human smuggling."
- S. 3any purpose whatsoever; or (h) acting as freelancing type tout for any of the puposee mentioned in clauses (a) to (g)
- S. 4Section 4 requires travel agents to apply for and obtain a license from the competent authority, with conditions for renewal and rejection.
- S. 5Section 5 allows a travel agent with a license in one Punjab district to open branches in other districts without needing a new license, but must inform the authority.
- S. 6Section 6 allows the competent authority to cancel a travel agent's license for various violations and can restore it if the reasons for cancellation are resolved.
- S. 7Section 7 requires travel agents to notify authorities in writing before advertising or holding seminars.
- S. 8Section 8 allows travel agents to voluntarily surrender their licenses with two months' notice, with no refund, and outlines liability for pre-cancellation actions.
- S. 9Travel agent to inform the competent authority
- S. 10Section 10 authorizes designated officials to search, seize evidence, and arrest individuals suspected of human smuggling offenses in Punjab.
- S. 11Section 11 mandates specific police officers to conduct and verify investigations under the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012.
- S. 12Section 12 empowers courts to confiscate illegally acquired property in human smuggling cases.
- S. 13Section penalizes human smuggling, attempts, abetment, and repeat offenses under the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012.
- S. 14Section 14 allows courts to award compensation to victims from travel agents in addition to penalties.
- S. 15Section 15 holds company officers liable for human smuggling offenses if they were in charge, negligent, or consented.
- S. 16Section penalizes providing false information to public servants to misuse their lawful powers, with up to six months imprisonment and fine.
- S. 17The punishment for an offence under this Act, shall be without Pejudice to any other action
- S. 18Section 18 empowers the Punjab Government to make rules for implementing the Act, including licensing and property confiscation procedures.
- S. 19Section 19 prioritizes the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act over any conflicting laws or agreements.
- S. 20The section allows the Punjab state government to delegate powers under the act to specified officers.
- S. 21Section 21 protects individuals and the state from legal actions for actions taken in good faith under the Act and mandates rule publication for legislative review.
- S. 22The section allows the Punjab State Government to issue orders to address difficulties in implementing the Act, but only within two years of its commencement.