Chapter V - Offences and Penalties
Section 47
Section 47: penalty for tampering with registration certificate.
The section addresses alteration or tampering with a registration certificate outside Controller authorisation. Authentic amendment and renewal records matter.
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Need advice on Section 47?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
Whoever alters or otherwise tampers, with any registration certificate issued or renewed under this Act or rules made thereunder, otherwise than in accordance with any authorisation made by the Controller in this behalf, shall be warned with an improvement notice and for the second offence shall be liable to penalty which may extend to twenty thousand rupees and for the subsequent offences the fine shall not be less than two lakh rupees but may extend to five lakh rupees.
Introduction
The trigger is alteration or other tampering with a registration certificate issued or renewed under the Act or rules, without Controller authorisation.
A formal change made under Controller authorisation is different from editing a document. Preserve the issued certificate and the authorisation for every change.
Key takeaways
Trigger
The trigger is alteration or other tampering with a registration certificate issued or renewed under the Act or rules, without Controller authorisation.
Consequence or process
The current consequence is an improvement notice first, a second-offence penalty up to twenty thousand rupees, and a later-offence fine from two lakh to five lakh rupees, subject to applicable revision.
Important limit
A formal change made under Controller authorisation is different from editing a document. Preserve the issued certificate and the authorisation for every change.
Who and what the section covers
The trigger is alteration or other tampering with a registration certificate issued or renewed under the Act or rules, without Controller authorisation.
Consequence and statutory process
The current consequence is an improvement notice first, a second-offence penalty up to twenty thousand rupees, and a later-offence fine from two lakh to five lakh rupees, subject to applicable revision.
Practical steps
Preserve original certificates and amendment orders.
Control who can submit changes or distribute copies.
Investigate an altered document promptly.
Hypothetical example
A dealer seeking a changed address requests a formal certificate update instead of editing a scan. This is an illustration, not a statement of a decided case or an automatic exemption.
Cross references and limits
A formal change made under Controller authorisation is different from editing a document. Preserve the issued certificate and the authorisation for every change.
Official sources
Practical checklist
Do
- Preserve original certificates and amendment orders.
- Control who can submit changes or distribute copies.
- Investigate an altered document promptly.
Avoid
- Do not edit a certificate image to change an address, activity or validity period.
- Do not treat a pending renewal or change request as Controller authorisation to alter the issued document.
- Do not distribute inconsistent certificate copies without retaining the authorised version.
Glossary
- Registration certificate
- The issued or renewed document whose unauthorised alteration is addressed by this section.
- Prescribed
- Set by applicable rules made under the Act.
Frequently asked questions
What triggers section 47?
The trigger is alteration or other tampering with a registration certificate issued or renewed under the Act or rules, without Controller authorisation.
What is the statutory consequence or process?
The current consequence is an improvement notice first, a second-offence penalty up to twenty thousand rupees, and a later-offence fine from two lakh to five lakh rupees, subject to applicable revision.
What is the key limit to check?
A formal change made under Controller authorisation is different from editing a document. Preserve the issued certificate and the authorisation for every change.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026