Punishment for false claim
Section 52 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 deals with punishment for false claim. Whoever knowingly makes a claim which he knows or has reason to believe to be false for obtaining any relief, assistance, repair, reconstruction or other benefits consequent to disaster from any officer of the Central Government, the State Government, the National Authority, the State Authority [, t The Act came into force on 28 Jul 2006.
Whoever knowingly makes a claim which he knows or has reason to believe to be false for obtaining any relief, assistance, repair, reconstruction or other benefits consequent to disaster from any officer of the Central Government, the State Government, the National Authority, the State Authority 1[, the District Authority or the Urban Authority], shall, on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2[six months], and also with fine.
Section 52, The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Act 53 of 2005).
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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Mohd-ali Sharif v. State of Telangana
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
DMA s.52 punishes knowingly making a false claim for disaster relief/assistance; where the charge-sheet contains no allegation of any false claim for relief, s.52 cannot be sustained. Quash also rested on DMA s.60 cognizance bar (complaint required) and good-faith COVID ration distribution under State GOs.
On this section: s.52 false-claim offence — no allegation of false disaster-relief claim; charge quashed
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 52
What have the courts held on Section 52 of the Disaster Management Act?
Mohd-ali Sharif v. State of Telangana (29 Oct 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.52 false-claim offence — no allegation of false disaster-relief claim; charge quashed.
How do I find court cases under Section 52 of the Disaster Management 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: Disaster Management Act 2005 52, section 52 Disaster Management Act 2005, section 52 of the Disaster Management 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 Mohd-ali Sharif v. State of Telangana (29 Oct 2024).
When did Section 52 of the Disaster Management Act come into force?
Section 52 of the Disaster Management Act, cited as Disaster Management Act 2005 52, came into force on 28 Jul 2006, having been enacted on 23 Dec 2005. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1200 words
- 30. Powers and functions of District Authority861 words
- 6. Powers and functions of National Authority703 words
- 42. National Institute of Disaster Management566 words
- 66. Payment of compensation533 words
- 18. Powers and functions of State Authority473 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.