The Air Force Act, 1950 · VI — OFFENCES

Section 36. Offences punishable more severely on active service than at other times

In force · As amended up to 2026-08

36. Offences punishable more severely on active service than at other times. —Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,— - (a) forces a safeguard, or forces or uses criminal force to a sentry; or - (b) breaks into any house or other place in search of plunder; or - (c) being a sentry sleeps upon his post, or is intoxicated; or - (d) without orders from his superior officer leaves his guard, piquet, patrol or post; or (e) intentionally or through neglect occasions a false alarm in camp or quarters; or spreads reports calculated to create unnecessary alarm or despondency; or (f) makes known the parole, watchword or countersign to any person not entitled to receive it; or knowingly gives a parole, watchword or countersign different from what he received; or (g) without due authority alters or interferes with any air signal; shall, on conviction by courtmartial, if he commits any such offence when on active service, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and if he commits any such offence when not on active service, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Source: India Code