PUNISHMENTCentral

Section 56 of The Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007

(1)Subject to the provisions of section 57, a commanding officer of and above the rank of Commandant may, in the prescribed manner, proceed against a person subject to this Act, other than an officer or a subordinate officer, who is charged with an offence under this Act and award such person, to the extent prescribed, one or more of the following punishments, namely:–
1. (a)imprisonment in Force custody up to twenty-eight days;
2. (b)detention up to twenty-eight days;
3. (c)confinement to the lines up to twenty-eight days;
4. (d)extra guards or duties;
5. (e)deprivation of any special position or special emoluments or any acting rank;
6. (f)severe reprimand or reprimand;
7. (g)fine up to fourteen days' pay in any one month;
8. (h)deductions from his pay and allowances of any sum required to make good any loss or damage occasioned by the offence for which he is punished.
(2)If any unit, training centre or other establishment of the Force is being temporarily commanded by an officer of the rank of Second-in Command or Deputy Commandant, such officer shall have full powers of a commanding officer specified in sub-section (1).
(3)Subject to the provisions of section 57, a Deputy Commandant or an Assistant Commandant, commanding a company or a detachment or an outpost, shall have the power to proceed against a person subject to this Act, other than an officer or a subordinate officer, who is charged with an offence under this Act and award such person to the extent prescribed, one or more of the punishments specified in clauses (a) to (d) and (h) of sub-section (1) provided that the maximum limit of punishment awarded under each of the clauses (a), (b) and (c) shall not exceed fourteen days.
(4)A subordinate officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector who is commanding a detachment or an outpost shall have the powers to proceed against a person subject to this Act, other than a subordinate officer or an under-officer, who is charged with an offence under this Act and award such person to the extent prescribed, one or more of the punishments specified under clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section (1) provided that the maximum limit of punishment awarded under clause (c) shall not exceed fourteen days.

Summary

It empowers commanders to hand out minor punishments to personnel below the rank of subordinate officer without a trial.
A commanding officer of the rank of Commandant or higher can award penalties like up to twenty-eight days of imprisonment, detention, confinement, extra duties, fines, or reprimands.
Lower ranking officers, such as Deputy, Assistant, or Sub-Inspectors commanding detachments or outposts, can also hand out limited minor punishments under specific rules.
Temporary commanders of units, such as a Deputy Commandant or Second-in-Command, are granted the full powers of a commanding officer under this section.

Practical examples

1Constable Rohan Das is found asleep while off-duty in an unauthorized area. Under Section 56, his company commander, Assistant Commandant Sanjay Dutt, awards him ten days of confinement to the lines on January 15, 2026.

2Head Constable Manoj Negi negligently breaks a high-frequency radio. The Commandant of his battalion uses Section 56 to deduct the cost of the repair directly from Manoj's monthly pay and issues a reprimand.

FAQ

1. Who can receive minor punishments under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007?

Under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007, minor punishments can be given to persons subject to the Act, excluding officers and subordinate officers, or under-officers in some cases.

2. What is the maximum fine a Commandant can impose under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007?

Under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007, a commanding officer of the rank of Commandant or above can impose a fine of up to fourteen days' pay in any one month.

3. Can a Sub-Inspector hand out punishments under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007?

Yes, a Sub-Inspector commanding a detachment can proceed against persons below the rank of under-officer and award confinement to the lines up to fourteen days or extra guards under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007, what is the maximum duration of imprisonment in Force custody that a Commandant can award?

Q2.Under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007, if an outpost is commanded by an Assistant Commandant, what is the maximum limit of detention they can award?

Q3.Under Section 56 of the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007, which officers can exercise the full powers of a commanding officer when temporarily in command of a unit?

Q4.Under Section 56 of the SSB Act, 2007, which minor punishments can a Sub-Inspector commanding a detachment award to an eligible person?

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