Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957
Every commanding officer of a ship of the Indian Navy subject to naval law, who,--
- (a)by collusion with the enemy take as prize any vessel, goods or thing; or
- (b)unlawfully agrees with any person for the ransoming of any vessel, goods or thing taken as prize; or
- (c)in pursuance of any unlawful agreement for ransoming or otherwise by collusion actually quits or restores any vessel, goods or thing taken as prize; shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.
Summary
- This rule prevents commanding officers from making corrupt or unlawful deals regarding captured ships.
- It is a crime for a commanding officer to collude with the enemy to capture a vessel or goods as a fake prize.
- An officer cannot unlawfully agree to let a captured vessel go in exchange for a ransom payment.
- Any commanding officer who makes these illegal agreements faces up to two years in prison.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a commanding officer ask for ransom for a captured ship under Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957?
No. Under Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957, unlawfully agreeing to ransom any vessel, goods, or thing taken as prize is a crime punishable by up to two years in prison.
2. What does Section 66 of the naval law say about colluding with the enemy to take a prize?
Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957 states that any commanding officer who takes a vessel as a prize by collusion with the enemy commits an offence and faces imprisonment.
3. Who exactly is targeted by the rules in Section 66 of the Indian Navy Act?
Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957 specifically applies to every commanding officer of a ship of the Indian Navy who is subject to naval law.
Test yourself
Q1.Which specific individual is named as the potential offender in Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957?
Q2.What unlawful agreement regarding a prize is explicitly forbidden by Section 66 of The Navy Act, 1957?
Q3.If a commanding officer quits or restores a prize vessel by collusion, what is the maximum prison sentence under Section 66 of the naval discipline law?
Q4.A commanding officer colludes with the enemy to take a fake prize, breaking Section 66. During this, he also destroys the real ship documents to hide the crime, breaking Section 63. Under The Navy Act, 1957, how do the punishments for these two sections differ?