Library/BNS/Section 164
Section 164BailablePenal

Harbouring deserter

Full Text

164. Harbouring deserter.

Whoever, except as hereinafter excepted, knowing or having reason to believe that an officer, soldier, sailor or airman, in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India, has deserted, harbours such officer, soldier, sailor or airman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine or with both.

Exception.—This provision does not extend to the case in which the harbour is given by the spouse of the deserter.

Plain English Summary

This section punishes harbouring a deserter of the Indian Armed Forces with up to two years of imprisonment, fine, or both, with an exception for the spouse.

Key Legal Elements

  • Harbouring an officer, soldier, sailor, or airman of the Indian Armed Forces
  • Knowing or having reason to believe the person is a deserter
  • Excluding when the harbour is given by the spouse of the deserter

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both

Practical Note

The prosecution must prove knowledge or reason to believe that the person harboured is a deserter. Spouses are exempt from liability.

हिंदी पाठ

164. भगोड़े को संश्रय देना।

जो कोई, इसमें इसके पश्चात् अपवादित दशा को छोड़कर, यह जानते हुए या विश्वास करने का कारण रखते हुए कि भारत सरकार की सेना, नौसेना या वायुसेना का कोई अधिकारी, सैनिक, नौसैनिक या वायुसैनिक भगोड़ा हो गया है, ऐसे अधिकारी, सैनिक, नौसैनिक या वायुसैनिक को संश्रय देगा, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दो वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।

अपवाद।—इस उपबंध का विस्तार उस दशा पर नहीं है जिसमें संश्रय भगोड़े के पति या पत्नी द्वारा दिया गया हो।