Penalty on excise officer refusing to do duty

Any excise officer who, without lawful excuse, refuses to perform or withdraws himself from the duties of his office, unless expressly allowed to do so in writing by the Excise Commissioner, or unless he shall have given to his official superior officer two months' notice in writing of his intention to do so, or who shall be guilty of cowardice, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.