Section 15 · Correspondence, etc., with offenders

Any person subject to this Act, who,--

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(a) treacherously holds correspondence with, or communicates intelligence to, an offender; or

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(b) wilfully fails to make known to the proper authorities any information he may have received from an offender; or

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(c) assists the offender in any manner; or

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(d) having been captured by an offender, voluntarily serves with or aids him,

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shall, on conviction by a Coast Guard Court, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

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Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, "offender" includes--

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(a) all armed mutineers, armed rebels, armed rioters, pirates and any person in arms against whom it is the duty of any person subject to this Act to take action ; and

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(b) any person or persons engaged in smuggling, unlawful exploration or exploitation or any other unlawful activity in the maritime zones of India.

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