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Section18
The Border Security Force Act, 1968

Desertion and aiding desertion

In force From 01 Mar 1969 Act 47 of 1968 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 47 of 1968 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 02 Sep 1968 In force 01 Mar 1969 Cited by 1 provision

Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968 deals with desertion and aiding desertion. Any person subject to this Act who deserts or attempts to desert the service shall, on conviction by a Security Force Court,— (a) if he commits the offence when on active duty or when under orders for active duty, be liable to suffer death or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; The Act came into force on 01 Mar 1969.

(1) Any person subject to this Act who deserts or attempts to desert the service shall, on conviction by a Security Force Court,—

(a) if he commits the offence when on active duty or when under orders for active duty, be liable to suffer death or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and

(b) if he commits the offence under any other circumstances, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

(2) Any person subject to this Act who knowingly harbours any such deserter shall, on conviction by a Security Force Court, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

(3) Any person subject to this Act who, being cognizant of any desertion or attempt at desertion of a person subject to this Act, does not forthwith give notice to his own or some other superior officer, or take any steps in his power to cause such person to be apprehended, shall, on conviction by a Security Force Court, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 18, The Border Security Force Act, 1968 (Act 47 of 1968).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

Referred to by 1

  1. s. 44 Abetment of offences punishable with death and not committed

Questions about Section 18

What does Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act deal with?

Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act is headed "Desertion and aiding desertion". Any person subject to this Act who deserts or attempts to desert the service shall, on conviction by a Security Force Court,— (a) if he commits the offence when on active duty or when under orders for active duty, be liable to suffer death or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned;

How do I find court cases under Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Border Security Force Act 18, section 18 Border Security Force Act, section 18 of the Border Security Force Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act, and has it changed?

1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.

When did Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act come into force?

Section 18 of the Border Security Force Act, cited as Border Security Force Act 18, came into force on 01 Mar 1969, having been enacted on 02 Sep 1968. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.