Punishments you may face for breaking Metrorail Act

Passengers of Dhaka city already started to avail the Metrorail service for travel from on December 29 after PM Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the first ever Metrorail in Bangladesh. The government has approved the ‘Metrorail Act-2015’ to ensure the smooth operation of Metrorail. The maximum punishment under this law remains ten years in prison and a fine of ten crore taka. There is also provision for compensation in the event of an accident. Dhaka Mass Transit Communication Limited (DMTCL) is the designated operating agency for Metrorail communication.

Some of the important fact incorporated with the Metrorail Act 2015:

If anyone blocks access

32. If any person unlawfully prevents a person licensed to build, operate, and maintain the Metrorail or his authorised person, representative, or employee from entering the land and facilities adjacent to the Metrorail area, that person shall face imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding two lakh taka, or both.

Impediment to the execution of any other activities, including Metrorail construction, development, operation, and maintenance.

33. Anyone who knowingly prevents another person from carrying out any activity, including the development, operation, or maintenance of Metrorail, without a legitimate reason is subject to a punishment of up to five lakh taka, up to one year in prison, or both.

Trespassing without permission in a designated Metrorail area

34.   Any individual who enters a Metrorail reserved space without authorisation or stays there after doing so against the authority of the Metrorail manager or a subordinate is subject to a fine of up to five lakh taka, a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year or both.

If passengers’ and Metrorail’s safety put at risk

35. Anyone who endangers the safety of Metrorail may be punished with a maximum of five years in prison, a maximum fine of 50 lakh taka, or a combination of the two.

Forgery or unauthorised sale of Metrorail tickets or passes

36. Anyone who sells Metrorail tickets or passes without a permit falsifies or defaces tickets or passes, or does all three is subject to a maximum 10-year prison sentence, a maximum fine of one crore taka, or both.

Misuse of Metrorail or its equipment by employees

37.    Any employee who uses Metrorail or its equipment in a way that endangers or threatens to endanger the      safety of any passenger and who performs any act while performing their duties that the licensed person or institution does not authorise shall be subject to a one-year prison sentence a fine of not more than five lakh taka, or both.

Obstructing the inspector in the performance of his duties or providing false and misleading information

38. Anyone who hinders the inspector from doing his duties or provides false or misleading information faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a maximum fine of ten lakh taka, or a combination of the two.

If insurance is not done

39. If a licensee fails to insure Metrorail, its passengers, and third parties, he shall be liable for imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or a fine not exceeding Tk 10 crore or both.

Traveling without a ticket or valid pass

40. Anyone who travels by Metrorail without a ticket or valid pass or beyond the permitted distance or adopts any other tactic to evade fare shall be liable to a fine which may extend to 10 times the fare or imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months.

Aiding, abetting and conspiracy to commit a crime

43. If a person aids or abets or abets the commission of an offence under this Act and it is proved that the offence concerned was committed due to that significant inducement, the aider or abettor shall be punished as prescribed.

Punishment for re-offence

44. If any person convicted of any offence specified in this Act commits the same offence again after serving the same sentence, he shall be liable to double the maximum penalty for that offence.