OFFENCESCentral
Section 16 of The Border Security Force Act, 1968
Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,
- (a)forces a safeguard, or forces or uses criminal force to a sentry; or
- (b)breaks into any house or other place in search of plunder; or
- (c)being a sentry sleeps upon his post, or is intoxicated; or
- (d)without orders from his superior officer leaves his guard, picket, patrol or post; or
- (e)intentionally or through neglect occasions a false alarm in camp or quarters, or spreads or causes to be spread reports calculated to create unnecessary alarm or despondency; or
- (f)makes known the parole, watchword or countersign to any person not entitled to receive it; or knowingly gives a parole, watchword or countersign different from what he received, shall, on conviction by a Security Force Court,--
- (A)if he commits any such offence when on active duty, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and
- (B)if he commits any such offence when not on active duty, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
Summary
- Certain crimes are punished more harshly if they happen while the person is on active duty.
- Forcing a safeguard or using force against a sentry is an offence under this section.
- Breaking into a house to look for loot or plunder is strictly prohibited.
- Sleeping on post or being intoxicated while on guard duty is punished here.
- Spreading false alarms or sharing secret passwords with the wrong people are major offences.
Practical examples
1While guarding the border on active duty, Rohit is found drunk. He faces up to 14 years in prison under this law.
2During a routine training exercise not on active duty, a soldier leaves his picket without orders. He faces a maximum of 7 years in jail.
3On August 5, 2024, a soldier gives the secret night password to a local shopkeeper. This is an offence of making known the parole to a person not entitled to it.
FAQ
1. Does Section 16 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, punish looting?
Yes, Section 16 of the Act punishes breaking into any house or place in search of plunder.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 16 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, what is the max punishment for an offence NOT on active duty?
Q2.Under Section 16 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, which of these is an offence?
Q3.According to Section 16 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, sharing the "countersign" with the wrong person is:
Q4.Compare Section 14 and Section 16 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, regarding sleeping on sentry duty: