Section 72: Failure to assist in detention of offenders

Every person subject to naval law, who,—

(a) does not use his utmost endeavours to detect, apprehend or bring to punishment all offenders against this Act; or

(b) does not assist the officers appointed for that purpose;

shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.

Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.

Supreme Court judgments citing the section 72

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