The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1957

This Act m y be called tlre Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1957.

Thoever wilfi~lly bums or desecrates or insults, any effigy, picture or portrait of Mallatnla Oandhi shall be punished with imprisonment of either descri- ption for a term wllich inay extend to illreg years or with fine or wltll botlr. Expluitat~t~~z.---In this scct i r ) ~ ~ , " piclure" irtcludcs any print, dwwi:xg, painting or other representation, of the figure of Mabatmil Gandhi.

Whoever wilfully causes damage to, or destruction of, any statue or bust of Mallatmd Gandhi or any such change in such statue or bust or in the situation thereof, or destroy or diminish its value or appearance or otherwise affects it injuriously, shaU be punished with imprisoB ment of either des-scripticn for a term which may extend to three years or with fine cr with both.

Whoever wilfully bums or desxsates or insults the Indian National Flag shall be punished with impri- sonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both. Explanation.--In this section,. "Indian Narional Flag" includes any pictorial representation thereof.

Whoever wilfully burns or desecrates or insults any copy or a copy of a part of the, Constitution of India, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either descri- ption for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.

Whoever attempts to commit any offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to have 'committed that offence.

Nothing in this Act shall exempt any person from any proceeding which mi,ght, aspart from this Act, be brought against him.