Defence Act, 1954

Offences in relation to courts-martial, etc.

161.—(1) In this section, the expression “service tribunal” means—

(a) a court-martial,

(b) an authorised officer investigating a charge under section 177,

(c) a commanding officer investigating a charge under section 178,

(d) an officer taking a summary of evidence in accordance with regulations made under section 184,

(e) a court of inquiry.

(2) Every person subject to military law—

(a) who, being duly summoned or ordered to attend as a witness before a service tribunal, makes default in attending, or

(b) who refuses to take an oath or make an affirmation lawfully required by a service tribunal to be taken or made, or

(c) who refuses to produce any document in his power or control lawfully required by a service tribunal to be produced by him, or

(d) who refuses when a witness to answer any question to which a service tribunal may lawfully require an answer, or

(e) who uses insulting or threatening language or causes any interruption or disturbance in the proceedings of a service tribunal, or

(f) who commits any other contempt of a service tribunal,

is guilty of an offence against military law and shall, on conviction by court-martial, be liable to suffer imprisonment or any less punishment awardable by a court-martial.