24. Obstructions. - (1) Whoever obstructs an inspector or a person appointed under subsection (3) of Sec. 20 (hereinafter referred to as the authorized person) in the discharge of his duties under this Act or refuses or willfully neglects to afford the inspector or authorized person any reasonable facility for making any inspection, examination, inquiry or investigation authorized by or under this Act in relation to an establishment to which, or a contractor to whom, this Act applies, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both. (2) Whoever willfully refuses to produce on the demand of any inspector or authorized person any register or other document kept in pursuance of this Act or prevents or attempts to prevent or does anything which he has reason to believe is likely to prevent any person from appearing before or being examined by any inspector or authorized person acting in pursuance of his duties under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.
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