Punishment for abetment of escape of persons arrested, etc.

Any officer or person exercising powers under this Act, who- (a) unlawfully releases or abets the escape of any person arrested under this Act, or abets the commission of any offence against this Act; or (b) acts in any manner inconsistent with his duty for the purpose of enabling any person to do anything whereby any of the provisions of this Act or of any rule made thereunder may be evaded or broken, and any other officer of the State Government or of a Local authority who abets the commission of any offence against this Act, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.