Delhi civil fines to be overhauled; fine for off-leash dogs Rs 1,000

NEW DELHI: Allowing your pet dog to roam off-leash in public places may become expensive in Delhi, with the fine set to increase from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000 under a proposed amendment to municipal laws.The change is part of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment to Provisions) Bill, 2025, introduced by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The bill seeks to amend the penalty provisions in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, with a broader push to rationalize fines and decriminalize petty offences.Penalties for many civil violations will increase significantly. Tying cattle on public roads and defacing house numbers will also attract a fine of Rs 1,000, which is higher than Rs 100 and Rs 50 respectively. Sanitation-related offenses, including failure to arrange for garbage collection or obstructing municipal officials, will attract a fine of Rs 500. Dumping waste or allowing filth to flow into the streets will attract a fine of Rs 200.Fireworks causing danger will be punished with a fine of Rs 500, while the general penalty for violations without specific fine is proposed to be increased from Rs 100 to Rs 500, with the daily penalty higher for continued violations.The bill also tightens regulations on building safety. Failure to vacate a dangerous building after an order or occupying a building without a completion certificate will now attract a fine of Rs 1,000, which has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000.At the same time, it is recommended to delete or modify certain provisions. The current maximum penalties for starting work without notice will be removed, while some offenses, such as failing to report births and deaths, will no longer carry fines. Operating a market without a license will result in a fine of Rs 2,000.The legislation also seeks to decriminalize certain specific offences. For example, a provision allowing jail time for municipal sweepers who miss work without notice will be replaced with a civil penalty of Rs 500.However, some violations will face harsher consequences. Acts such as dumping items on streets, erecting structures that obstruct public roads or opening roads without permission may result in a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of Rs 5,000.

In a key procedural shift, most offenses will be adjudicated by designated municipal officials at at least assistant commissioner level rather than criminal courts. The bill also introduces a 30-day appeal period and a six-month processing period.