Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957
Falsifying official documents and false declarations.
Every person subject to naval law--
- (a)who knowingly makes or signs a false report, return, list, certificate, book, muster or other document to be used for official purposes; or
- (b)who commands, counsels or procures the making or signing thereof; or
- (c)who aids or abets any other person in the making or signing thereof; or
- (d)who knowingly makes, commands, counsels or procures the making of, a false or fraudulent statement or a fraudulent omission in any such document; shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.
Summary
- This provision criminalizes the act of knowingly making or signing false official documents, such as reports, returns, lists, and certificates.
- It is equally illegal to command, counsel, or procure someone else to make or sign these false documents.
- A person who aids or abets another individual in falsifying official records is also guilty under this rule.
- The law covers both affirmative false statements and fraudulent omissions meant to deceive.
- The penalty for falsifying official documents is imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. What kinds of documents are protected under Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957?
Section 60 of the naval law protects any report, return, list, certificate, book, muster, or other document used for official purposes.
2. Under Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957, is leaving information out of a report a crime?
Yes, Section 60 of the 1957 Act explicitly makes it an offence to knowingly make, command, counsel, or procure a fraudulent omission in an official document.
3. What is the penalty for ordering a junior sailor to sign a false return under Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957?
Under Section 60 of the defence statute, commanding someone to make or sign a false official document is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Test yourself
1.Under Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957, which action regarding a fraudulent statement in a muster book is explicitly listed as an offence?
2.What is the maximum term of imprisonment for a person convicted of aiding another person in signing a false official certificate under Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957?
3.According to Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957, which of the following scenarios is treated as a crime alongside making a direct false statement?
4.Under Section 60 of The Navy Act, 1957, which of the following is a type of document specifically named in the text as being protected from falsification?