Criminal penalties for securities law contraventions: imprisonment and fines apply for breaches and non compliance with SEBI orders. Section 24 establishes criminal penalties for contravention, attempt or abetment of the SEBI Act or its rules and regulations, permitting imprisonment up to ten years, fines up to a specified maximum, or both, and applies without prejudice to penalties imposed by the adjudicating officer or the Board; a distinct offence arises for failure to pay imposed penalties or to comply with directions or orders, punishable by not less than one month and up to ten years imprisonment, or fine, or both.