Punishment for abetment of escape of persons arrested

Liability for facilitating the escape of persons under custody. Any officer exercising powers under this Act, who,- (a) unlawfully releases any person arrested under this Act, or (b) abets the escape of any person arrested under this Act; or (c) abets the commission of any offence against this Act, and any other officer of the State Government or of a local authority who abets the commission of any offence against this Act, -shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000, or with both.