Section 36AD of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 prescribes punishment for certain activities in relation to banking companies, such as obstructing persons from entering a bank, holding violent demonstrations within a bank, or undermining depositor confidence. A person contravening sub-section (1) without reasonable excuse is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to:

Section 36AD(2) provides that whoever contravenes any provision of sub-section (1) without any reasonable excuse 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. Sub-section (1) prohibits obstructing any person from lawfully entering or leaving a bank’s premises, holding violent demonstrations within bank premises that prevent normal business, and acting in any manner calculated to undermine depositor confidence. The provision protects the orderly functioning of banks and the public’s confidence in them, and its definition of “banking company” is extended to include institutions such as the RBI, EXIM Bank and others.