Section 17: Penalty for breach of confidentiality
Reviewed by Nikhil Gupta and Kajri Singh · Last reviewed 17 July 2026
Makes breach of the section 16 confidentiality rule punishable under applicable service rules or the prescribed mechanism.
In 2 minutes
Makes breach of the section 16 confidentiality rule punishable under applicable service rules or the prescribed mechanism.
Statutory text
Source transcription: India Code consolidated Act PDF. Check the official source for a live matter.
Rule, authority, record and consequence map
| Related Central Rule | Rule 12: Penalty for contravention of confidentiality |
|---|---|
| Primary authority | Employer / service-rule authority |
| Core record | Breach finding and recovery/disciplinary record |
| Compliance consequence | Service-rule action or the prescribed INR 5,000 recovery may apply. |
Practical example
A committee member discloses witness identities outside the process. The employer examines the applicable service rule and Rule 12 mechanism.
Finin2min Q&A
What should an employer or committee do first?
Create the record identified above, check the linked Rule and preserve a dated decision trail. Do not replace the statutory process with an informal HR discussion where the Act applies.
What needs jurisdiction-specific checking?
State rules and notifications, District Officer and Local Committee details, service rules, standing orders, appellate forum and any sector regulator requirements.
Source and review trail
Use the current official instrument, portal or regulator publication before acting.
- Official starting point
- wcd.gov.in