law: Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
  9.Penalties.-
  (1) Whoever, for the purpose of avoiding any payment to be made
  
  by himself under this Act or enabling any other person to avoid such payment,
  
  knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement or false
  
  representation 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.
  (2) An employer who contravenes, or makes default in complying
  
  with, any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder
  
  shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year,
  
  or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both :
  Provided that where the offence relates to non-payment
  
  of any gratuity payable under this Act, the employer shall be punishable with
  
  imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months unless the
  
  court trying the offence, for reasons to be recorded by it in writing is of
  
  opinion that a lesser term of imprisonment or the imprisonment of a fine would
  
  meet the ends of justice.