Question

Whoever knowingly creates, publishes or otherwise makes available a digital signature certificate for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose shall be liable to___.

• A. Imprisonment only
• B. Fine only
• C. Imprisonment and fine
• D. Imprisonment or fine or both

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Imprisonment or fine or both

Under section 73 of the IT Act, 2000, the penalty for publishing digital signature certificate has been provided for. It says no person shall publish a Digital Signature Certificate or otherwise make it available to any other person with the knowledge that—

(a) the Certifying Authority listed in the certificate has not issued it; or

(b) the subscriber listed in the certificate has not accepted it; or

(c) the certificate has been revoked or suspended,

unless such publication is for the purpose of verifying a digital signature created prior to such suspension or revocation. Any person who contravenes the same shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.