Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 · Chapter IVA: Provisions Relating to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Drugs
Section 33-I: Penalty for manufacture, sale, etc., of Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug in contravention of this Chapter
Whoever himself or by any other person on his behalf—-
(1) manufactures for sale or for distribution,—
[(a) any Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug—
(i) deemed to be misbranded under section 33E,
(ii) deemed to be adulterated under section 33EE, or
(iii) without a valid licence or in violation of any of the conditions thereof, as required under section 33 EEC,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with fine which shall not be less than twenty thousand rupees or three times the value of the drugs confiscated, whichever is more;
(b) any Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug deemed to be spurious under section 33EEA, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than [ fifty thousand rupees or three times the value of the drugs confiscated, whichever is more]:
Provided that the Court may, for any adequate and special reas ons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than one year and of fine of less than [fifty thousand rupees or three times the value of the drugs confiscated, whichever is more]; or
4(c) any Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drug in contravention of the provisions of any notification issued under section 33EED shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees or three times the value of the drugs confiscated, whichever is more.]
[(2)(a) Contravenes any other provisions of this Chapter except section 24 as applied by section 33H or any rule made under this Chapter shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees;
(b) contravenes section 24 as applied by section 33H, shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than thirty thousand rupees.].]
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 33-I
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.