(1) Whoever wilfully disobeys any direction lawfully given by any person or authority empowered under this Act to give such direction, or obstructs any person or authority in the discharge of any functions which such person or authority is required or empowered under this Act to discharge, shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence, be punishable with fine which may extend to [two thousand rupees].
(2) Whoever, being required by or under this Act to supply any information, wilfully withholds such information or gives information which he knows to be false or which he does not believe to be true, shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to [two thousand rupees], or with both.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 179
Section 179 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 reinforces the regulatory authority of traffic and transport enforcement officers by penalizing wilful disobedience of lawful directions, obstruction of inspecting officers, refusal to disclose statutory information, and furnishing deceptive vehicular data.
When contesting a Section 179 notice or prosecution, examine whether the issuing officer possessed valid statutory authorization and jurisdiction under Section 213. If the direction disobeyed was unconstitutional, arbitrary, or outside the officer's territorial mandate, raise a threshold jurisdictional demurrer before the Magistrate.