Penalties
Section 29 of the Delhi Development Act, 1957 deals with penalties. Any person who whether at his own instance or at the instance of any other person or any body (including a department of Government) undertakes or carries out development of any land in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the permission, approval or sanction referre The Act came into force on 30 Dec 1957.
(1) Any person who whether at his own instance or at the instance of any other person or any body (including a department of Government) undertakes or carries out development of any land in contravention of the master plan or zonal development plan or without the permission, approval or sanction referred to in section 12 or in contravention of any condition subject to which such permission, approval or sanction has been granted, 1[shall be punishable,--
(a) with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to three years, if such development relates to utilising, selling or otherwise dealing with any land with a view to the setting up of a colony without a lay out plan; and
(b) with simple imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both, in any case, other than those referred to in clause (a).]
(2) Any person who uses any land or building in contravention of the provisions of section 14 or in contravention of any terms and conditions prescribed by regulations under the proviso to that section shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees 2 [and in the case of a continuing offence, with further fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees for every day during which such offence continues after conviction for the first commission of the offence].
(3) Any person who obstructs the entry of a person authorised under section 28 to enter into or upon any land or building or molests such person after such entry shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 29, The Delhi Development Act, 1957 (Act 61 of 1957).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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D.d.a. vs K.p.trading Co.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A subsequent prosecution for a continuing offence under Section 14 read with Section 29(2) of the Delhi Development Act is contingent upon a conviction in the first offence. The statutory language 'after conviction for the first commission of the offence' in Section 29(2) establishes this as a prerequisite. Additionally, a sanction order for prosecution must contain reference to earlier cases and demonstrate application of mind; a sanction passed in a mechanical manner without such reference is invalid. In appeals against acquittal, the principles of double presumption of innocence and benefit of doubt ordinarily operate in favour of the accused, and the trial court's acquittal should not be lightly interfered with.
On this section: Punishment provision for contravention of Section 14; specifies that for continuing offence, further fine extends to Rs. 250 per day after conviction for first commission of offence; court interpreted this to mean second prosecution requires prior conviction
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 29
What have the courts held on Section 29 of the Delhi Development Act?
D.d.a. vs K.p.trading Co. (30 Jan 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Punishment provision for contravention of Section 14; specifies that for continuing offence, further fine extends to Rs. 250 per day after conviction for first commission of offence; court interpreted this to mean second prosecution requires prior conviction.
How do I find court cases under Section 29 of the Delhi Development Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Delhi Development Act 1957 29, section 29 Delhi Development Act 1957, section 29 of the Delhi Development Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with D.d.a. vs K.p.trading Co. (30 Jan 2025).
What should I read with Section 29 of the Delhi Development Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 12 (Declaration of development areas and development of land in those and other areas), section 14 (User of land and buildings in contravention of plans), section 28 (Powers of entry), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 29 of the Delhi Development Act come into force?
Section 29 of the Delhi Development Act, cited as Delhi Development Act 1957 29, came into force on 30 Dec 1957, having been enacted on 27 Dec 1957. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 31. Power to stop development778 words
- 3. The Delhi Development Authority632 words
- 56. Power to make rules617 words
- 30. Order of demolition of building596 words
- 43. Service of notices, etc557 words
- 60. Repeal, etc., and savings462 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.