Question

Under Section 54(1)(b), a second or subsequent conviction for underpayment within five years is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months or fine which may extend to:

Q: Answer-Under Section 54(1)(b), a second or subsequent conviction for underpayment within five years is puni...

Section 541b provides that where an employer, having been convicted under clause a, is again found guilty of a similar offence within five years, he is punishable on the second and subsequent commission with imprisonment up to three months or fine up to one lakh rupees, or both. This graded enhancement from a fine-only first offence to imprisonment-and-fine on repetition is a commonly examined penalty progression.