Offences by officers in charge of convoy
Section 56 of the Navy Act, 1957 deals with offences by officers in charge of convoy. All officers appointed for the convoy and protection of any ships or vessels shall diligently perform their duty without delay according to their instructions in that behalf. The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1958.
(1) All officers appointed for the convoy and protection of any ships or vessels shall diligently perform their duty without delay according to their instructions in that behalf.
(2) Every such officer subject to naval law, who,--
(a) does not defend the ships and goods under his convoy without deviation to any other objects; or
(b) refuses to fight in their defence if they are assailed; or
(c) cowardly abandons and exposes the ships in his convoy to hazard; or
(d) demands or exacts any money or other reward from any merchant or master for convoying any ships or vessels entrusted to his care; or
(e) misuses the masters or mariners thereof;
shall be punished with death or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned, and shall also make such reparation in damages to the merchants, owners and others as a Civil Court of competent jurisdiction may adjudge.
Section 56, The Navy Act, 1957 (Act 62 of 1957).
Questions about Section 56
What does Section 56 of the Navy Act deal with?
Section 56 of the Navy Act is headed "Offences by officers in charge of convoy". All officers appointed for the convoy and protection of any ships or vessels shall diligently perform their duty without delay according to their instructions in that behalf.
How do I find court cases under Section 56 of the Navy 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: Navy Act 1957 56, section 56 Navy Act 1957, section 56 of the Navy Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 56 of the Navy Act come into force?
Section 56 of the Navy Act, cited as Navy Act 1957 56, came into force on 01 Jan 1958, having been enacted on 27 Dec 1957. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
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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 20 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.