Iec query for more then one proprietorship firms

PLEASE NOTED THAT:

Only one IEC would be issued against a single PAN number. Any proprietor can have only one IEC number and in case there are more than one IECs allotted to a proprietor, the same may be surrendered to the Regional Office for cancellation.

for quick response personal meet with FTDO or JDGFT / CONCERNED RLA PRO.

REGARDS,

In our case, One IEC is already been issued long time ago. As it was long time ago, we were under impression that the Original IEC is already been surrendered and we applied for IEC for another firm.

As this has happened due to mistake at our end, we requested the DGFT office to cancel the Old IEC and have already surrendered the Old IEC. But DGFT has not yet cancelled the IEC. Now, DGFT is saying that this is a punishable offience.

So, I want to know whether it is a punishable office or not? If yes what are the provisions for the same?