Officer of Force in command to give information of offence under this Act.

An officer of the Force, who, being in command of any guard, picquet, party, patrol or detachment and knowing of the commission or of a design to commit any offence punishable under section 16 or 17, by or on the part of any officer of the Force under his command, intentionally omits or without reasonable excuse (the burden of proving which shall lie on him) fails to give information of such commission or design to his superior officer, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.