MISCELLANEOUSCentral

Section 14 of The Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002

(1)No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act.
(2)No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central Government for any damage caused or likely to be caused for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act.

Summary

This section protects people and the government from being sued or prosecuted when they carry out their duties under this Act.
No civil lawsuit (suit), criminal trial (prosecution), or any other legal proceeding can be started against any person for doing something in good faith (honestly, with sincere intent and no bad motives).
This legal protection also applies to anything that was intended to be done in good faith to carry out the provisions of this Act.
The Central Government is also completely protected from lawsuits or other legal cases for any damage caused, or likely to be caused, by actions done in good faith under this Act.

Practical examples

1On August 12, 2024, a Coast Guard officer named Officer Sharma boards a suspicious vessel in Indian waters. He honestly believes the ship is carrying hijacked cargo and restrains a passenger for safety. Even though the passenger later complains, Officer Sharma cannot be prosecuted or sued because he acted in good faith to carry out this Act.

2On March 4, 2025, the Central Government orders the temporary shutdown of a private dock to search for a hidden bomb on a nearby ship. The dock owner loses 50,000 rupees in business and wants to sue the government. The dock owner's lawsuit is barred because the government's action was taken in good faith to protect maritime safety under this Act.

FAQ

1. What does acting in good faith mean under this section?

Acting in good faith means doing something honestly, with sincere and proper intent, and without any hidden bad motives or desire to cause harm.

2. Who is protected from lawsuits and prosecutions under Section 14?

This section protects any individual person who performs or intends to perform an action under this Act, as well as the Central Government itself.

3. Does this protection cover actions that were planned but not actually completed?

Yes, the text specifically protects actions that are done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act.

Test yourself

Q1.Under subsection (1) of Section 14, who is protected from suits, prosecutions, or other legal proceedings?

Q2.What essential condition must be met for an action to be protected under Section 14?

Q3.Under subsection (2) of Section 14, the Central Government is protected from legal proceedings for what specific consequence?

Q4.Which of the following legal proceedings is NOT explicitly listed as barred under subsection (1) of Section 14?

Q5.To receive protection under Section 14, actions must be done in pursuance of what?

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