Section 72. Evidence of register book, certificate of registry and other documents

72. Evidence of register book, certificate of registry and other documents .―(1) On application to the registrar and on payment of the prescribed fee, a person may, at any time during office hours, inspect any register book, and may obtain a certified copy of any entry in the register book. (2) The following documents shall be admissible in evidence in any Court in manner provided by this Act, namely:― (a) any register book on its production from the custody of the registrar or other person having the lawful custody thereof; (b) a certificate of registry under this Act purporting to be signed by the registrar or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government; (c) an endorsement on a certificate of registry purporting to be signed by the registrar or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government; (d) every declaration made in pursuance of this Part in respect of an Indian ship. (3) A certified copy of an entry in a register book shall be admissible in evidence in any Court and have the same effect to all intents as the original entry in the register book of which it is a copy. 72. If any person willfully destroys or mutilates or renders illegible any entry in any official log book or wilfully makes or procures to be made or assists in making a false or fraudulent entry in or omission from an official log book.