12. Confidentiality of information obtained in the course of an investigation

Every person engaged in an investigation under this Act shall maintain strict confidentiality with regard to all information as may come to his knowledge in the course of such investigation and he shall not, other than in the discharge of his duties under this Act, disclose to any person or utilize for any purpose whatsoever any information so obtained.

Every person from whom any information has been requested or obtained and any person to whom a written notice has been issued for the preservation of any information, shall maintain strict confidentiality in relation to such information and the fact that such information has been requested, obtained or required to be preserved, and shall not make any disclosure in regard to such matters other than when required to do so in compliance with the provisions of any written law.

A person referred to in this section shall not be held liable under the civil or criminal law for the disclosure of any data or other information for the purposes of an investigation under this Act.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment of either description for a term not exeeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.