Company : Sol Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Website : www.courtkutchehry.com NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD RULES, 1987 CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 :- Preliminary 1. Short title, commencement and application 2. Definitions 3. Reports and applications 4. Forms in appendices 5. Exercise of power vested in bolder of an office in the Security Guard 6. Case unprovided for CHAPTER 2 :- Recruitment 7. Ineligibility 8. Inrligibility of aliens 9. Appointment of Officers 10. Probation 1 1 . Appointment of Assistant Commanders. Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen 12. Procedure for appointment, mode of appointment of Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen CHAPTER 3 :- Organisation 13. Constitution and Control of the Securnity Guard 14. Command CHAPTER 4 :- Termination of Service 15. Termination of service of officers by the Central Government on account of misconduct 16. Termination of service of officers by the Central Government on grounds other than misconduct 17. Dismissal or removal of persons other than Officers on account of misconduct 18. Retirement of officers on grounds of physical unfitness 1 9 . Retirement of Assistant Commanders on grounds of unsuitability 20. Retirement of Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen on grounds of unsuitability 21. Retirement of Assistant Commanders, Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen on grounds of physical unfitness 22. Resignation 23. Powers to be exercised by a Superior Officer or authority 24. Appeal against orders of dismissal, removal or retirement 25. Date of dismissal, removal, discharge, retirement CHAPTER 5 :- Arrest and Investigation 26. Forms of arrest 27. Authority to order arrest 28. Arrest how imposed 29. Release from arrest during investigation 30. Release without prejudice to re-arrest 31. Arrest when to be imposed 32. Special provision in case of arrest of a drunken person 33. Arrest in case of persons whose trial has been ordered 34. Delay Report 35. Rights of a person under arrest CHAPTER 6 :- Choice of Jurisdiction between Security Guard Court and Criminal Court 36. Trial of cases either by Security Guard Court or Criminal Court 37. Cases which may not be tried by Security Guard Court CHAPTER 7 :- Investigation and Summary Disposal 38. Statement of allegations 39. Hearing by the Team Commanders and Squadron Commander 40. Hearing by the Commander 41. Procedure for summary disposal of charges against officers 42. Summary disposal of charges against Assistant Commanders 43. Attachment to another unit 44. Charges not to be dealt with summarily 45. Record of evidence 46. Abstract of evidence 47. Investigation of cases by Police 48. Disposal of case by Commander after record or abstract of evidence 49. Application for a Court CHAPTER 8 :- On charges and Matters Antecedent to Trial 50. Charge-sheet 51. Charges 52. Joint Charges 53. Validity of charge sheet 54. Amendment of the charge by the Security Guard Court 55. Amendment of Charge by Convening Officer 56. Action by a Superior Authority on receiving an application for convening a Court 57. Disqualification of officers for serving on General and Petty Secu- rity Guard Courts 58. Composition of General and Petty Security Guard Courts 59. Duties of convening officer when convening courts 60. Preparation of defence by the accused 61. Summoning of Defence Witnesses CHAPTER 9 :- Procedure for General and Petty Security Guard Courts 62. Assembly and swearing of Court 63. Commencement of Trial 64. Swearing or affirming of members 65. Swearing or affirmation of Judge Attorney and other officers 66. Objection to interpreter or Shorthand Writer 67. Objection to Judge Attorney and Prosecutor 68. Arraignment 69. Plea to Jurisdiction 70. Objection to the cbarge 71. Plea in bar of trial 72. Application for separate trial 73. Application for trial on separate charge-sheet 74. Pleading to the charge 75. Acceptance of plea of guilty 76. Plea on alternative charge 77. Order of trial where plea of guilty and not guilty 78. Charge of plea 79. Procedure on pleas of not guilty 80. Opening address 81. Additional witness 82. Dropping witnesses 83. Withdrawal of witnesses 84. Examination of witnesses 85. Questioning by the Court 86. Reading over of evidence 87. Calling or recalling witnesses by the Court 88. Submission of no case to answer and stopping of cases 89. Case for the defence 90. Witnesses for defence 91. Witnesses in reply 92. Closing address 93. Summing up by Jadge-Attorney 94. Deliberation on finding 95. Record and announcement of finding 96. Procedure on acquittal 97. Procedure on conviction 98. Sentence 99. Recommendation for mercy 100. Announcement of sentence and signing and transmission of pro- ceedings 101. Revision 102. Confirmation and promulgation CHAPTER 10 :- Procedure of Security Guard Courts and Incidental Matters. 103. Seating of members 104. Responsibility of Presiding Officer 105. Power of Court over address of prosecutor and accused 106. Sitting in closed Court 107. Continuity of trial and adjournment of Court 108. Suspension of trial 109. Proceedings on death or illness of accused 110. Death, retirement or absence of presiding officer 111. Presence throughout of all members of Court 112. Taking of opinions of members of court 113. Procedure on incidental questions 114. Evidence when to be translated 115. Record in Proceedings of transactions of a Security Guard Court 116. Custody and inspection of proceedings 117. Review of General/Petty Security Guard Court proceedings 118. Defending Officer, friend of accused and counsel 119. Requirement or appearance of counsel 120. Disqualification of Judge-Attorney 121. Substituting on death, illness, or absence of Judge-Attorney 122. Power and duties of Judge-Attorney 123. Finding of insanity 124. Preservation of proceedings 125. Right of person tried to copies of proceedings 126. Copy of proceedings not to be given in certain cases 127. Loss of proceedings 128. Offences by witnesses and others CHAPTER 11 :- Summary Security Guard Courts 129. Proceedings 130. Evidence when to be translated 131. Assembly 132. Swearing or affirming of court and interpreter 133. Swearing of court to several accused persons 134. Arraignment of accused 135. Objection by accnscd to charge 136. Amendment of charge 137. Special pleas 138. General plea of "Guilty" or "Not Guilty" 139. Procedure after plea of "Guilty" 140. Withdrawal of plea of "Not Guilty" 141. Procedure after plea of "Not Guilty" 142. Witnesses in reply to defence 143. Evidence of witnesses 144. Record and innoancement of finding 145. Procedure on acquittal 146. Procedure on finding of "Guilty" 147. Sentence 148. Signing of proceedings 149. Charges-Differet charge-sheets 150. Clearing the Court 151. Adjonrnment 152. Friend of the accused 153. Memorandum to be attached to proceedings 154. Promulgation 155. Review of proceedings 156. Action by the Deputy Inspetor-General CHAPTER 12 :- Execution of Sentence 157. Direction about sentence of imprisonment 158. Warrants 159. Warrant in case of sentence of death 160. Changes in sentence 161. Sentence of dismissal CHAPTER 13 :- Petitions 162. Petitions against finding and sentence of Court 163. Period of Limitation 164. Mode of submitting petitions CHAPTER 14 :- Courts of Inquiry 165. Composition 166. Assembly 167. Assembly order 168. Procedure of Courts of Inquiry 169. Courts of Inquiry when to be held 170. Action on the proceedings of a Court of Inquiry 171. Copies of Court of Inquiry Proceedings CHAPTER 15 :- Miscellaneous 172. Prescribed Officer under Section 10 (2) 173. Authority prescribed for the purpose of Section 12 (1) 174. Prescribed manner of administering oath or affirmation under snb section (1) of Section 60 175. Prescribed manner of custody and prescribed officers under Sec- tion 96 or 97 176. Anthoriaed deduction 177. Repeal and Savings 178. Transitory provisions NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD RULES, 1987 G S.R. 688(E), dated 6th August, 1987.1-In exercise of the powers con- ferred by Section 169 of the National Security Guard Act, 1986 (47 of 1986), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely : CHAPTER 1 Preliminary 1. Short title, commencement and application :- (1) These rules may be called the National Security Guard Rules, 1987. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. (3) These rules shall apply to all persons subject to the Act : Provided that the provisions of Chapter IV thereof shall not apply to the person on deputation with the National Security Guard : Provided further that the provisions of Chapters IX and X thereof shall not apply to trials by Summary Security Guard Courts in so far as they are inconsistent with any of the provisions contained in Chapter XI thereof per- taining to Summary Security Guard Courts. 2. Definitions :- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "Act" means the National Security Guard Act, 1986 (47 of 1986) ; (b) "Appendix" means an Appendix annexed to these rules ; (c) "Court" means the Security Guard Court ; (d) "Detachment" includes any part of a Group or a unit of the Security Guard required or ordered to proceed on duty away from Headquarters; (e) "proper Security Guard authority" when used in relation to any power, duty, act or matter, means such Security Guard authority as, in pursuance of these rules made under the Act exercises, or performs that power or duty or is concerned with that matter : (f) "Section" means a lection of the Act ; (g) All other words and expressions used in these rules and not de- fined, but defined in the Act, shall have the same meaning as res- pectively assigned to them in the Act. 3. Reports and applications :- Any report or application required by these rules to be made to a superior authority or is otherwise made to a supe- rior authority shall be made in writing and through proper channel. 4. Forms in appendices :- (1) The forms set forth in the appendices, with such variations as the circumstances of each case may require, may be used for the respective purpose therein mentioned, and if used shall be sufficient, but a deviation from such form shall not, by reason only of such deviation, render invalid any charge, warrant, order, proceedings or any other document relevant to these rules. (2) Any omission of any such form shall, not, by reasons only of such omission, render any act or thing invalid. (3) The directions in the notes to and the instructions in the form shall be duly complied with in all cases to which they relate, but any omission to comply with any such direction in the notes, or instructions shall not merely by reason of such omission, render any act or thing invalid. 5. Exercise of power vested in bolder of an office in the Security Guard :- Any power or jurisdiction given to any person holding any office in the Security Guard to do any act or thing to. or before, any person, may, for the time being, be performing the functions of that office in accordance with the rules and practice of the Security Guard. 6. Case unprovided for :- In regard to any matter not specifically pro- vided for in these rules, it shall be lawful for the competent authority to do such thing or take such action as he may deem fit in the circumstances of the case. CHAPTER 2 Recruitment 7. Ineligibility :- (1) No person, who has more than one wife living or who having a spouse living marries in any case in which such marriage is void by reasons of its taking place during the life time of such spouse shall be eligible for appointment, employment in the Security Guard. (2) Any person subject to the Act, who contracts or enters into a second marriage during the life time of his first spouse, shall render himself ineligible for retention in service and may be dismissed, removed or retired from service on ground of unsuitability : Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for so ordering exempt any person from the operation of this rule. 8. Inrligibility of aliens :- No person who is not a citizen of India shall, except with the consent of the Central Government is signified in writing, be appointed, or employed in the Security Guard : Provided that nothing contained in this rule shall bar the appointment or employment of a subject of Nepal or Bhutan in the Security Gaurd. 9. Appointment of Officers :- The Central Government may appoint- such persons as it considers to be suitable as officers in the Security Guard in the following manner and their conditions of service shall be such as may be provided in the rules made in this behalf by the Central Govern- ment : (a) by direct recruitment : (b) by deputation from the All India Services, Defence Forces, Armed Forces of the Union, any other Department of the Central Government or of the State Government or Autono- mous bodies; (c) by promotion as may be prescribed from time to time. 10. Probation :- (1) An officer appointed through direct recruitment to the Security Guard shall be on probation for a period of two years and the Central Government may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the period of probation for such further period or periods not exceeding one year. (2) The Central Government may, during the period of probation, terminate the services of an officer without assigning any reasons. 11. Appointment of Assistant Commanders. Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen :- (1) Appointment to the persons of Assistant Commanders Grade I may be made by the Inspector-General, Assistant Commanders, Grades II and III by the Deputy Inspector-General and the Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen by the Group Commander or any other officer of Security Guard who may be appointed as recruiting officer by the Director- General, respectively in the following manner and their conditions of service shall be such as may be prescribed- (a) by direct recruitment ; (b) by duputation from the Defence Forces or any of the Armed Forces of the Union, any other Department of the Central Government or of the State Government or Autonomous bodies; (c) by promotion as may be prescribed from time to time. (2) A person appointed through direct recruitment as Assistant Com- mander, Ranger or a Combatised Tradesmen shall be on probation for a period of two years. The authority prescribed in sub-rule (1) may during the period of probation, terminate his services without assigning any reasons. 12. Procedure for appointment, mode of appointment of Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen :- (1) Upon the appearance before the recruiting officer of any person for appointment as a ranger or combatised Tradesmen the Security Guard, the recruitment officer shall read and explain to him, or cause to be read and explained to him in his presence, the conditions of service of the post to which he is to be appointed ; and shall be put to him the question contained in the form of appointment as may be prescribed by the Director-General and shall, after having cautioned him that if he makes a false answer to any such question he shall be liable to punishment under the Act, record or cause to be recorded his answer to each such question. (2) If, after complying with the provisions of the sub-rule (1) and such other directions as may be issued in this behalf by the Director-General from time to time, the recruiting officer is satisfied that the person desirous of being appointed, fully understands the questions put to him and consent to the conditions of service, and if the said officer is satisfied that there is no impediment, be shall sign and shall also cause such person to sign the appointment paper, and such person shall thereupon be deemed to be appointed. (3) (a) Every person appointed as a member of the Security Guard under sub-rule (2) shall be administered an oath or affirmation, as may be prescribed by the Director-General. (b) The oath or affirmation shall as far as possible be administered by the Commander of the person to be attested or in the unavoidable absence of the Commander by the person authorised in writing by the Commander in this behalf. (c) The oath or affirmation shall be administered when then person to be attested has completed his training. CHAPTER 3 Organisation 13. Constitution and Control of the Securnity Guard :- (1) In exercising command and supervision of the Security Guard, the Director-General shall be assisted by the Additional Director- General, Inspectors-General, Deputy Inspector-General, Group Commanders and other officers. (2) The responsibility for the command, discipline, morale and adminis- tration shall,- (a) in the case of Additional Director-General, extend to all groups, units, headquarters, establishments and Security Guard personnel placed under him and within the area that may be assigned to him; (b) in the case of Inspector-General, extend to all groups, units; headquarters, establishments and Security Guard personnel placed under him and within the area that may be assigned to him; (c) in the case of Deputy Inspector-General, extend to all the groups, other personnel and units placed under him and within the area that may be assigned to him ; and (d) in the case of a Commander, extend to the group or unit placed under him and within the area assigned to him. (3) The command, discipline, administration and training of groups, units and establishments not placed under a Deputy Inspector- General or an Inspector-General shall be carried out by such officers and in such manner as may from time to time be laid down by the Director-General. (4) Any member of the Security Guard shall be liable to perform any duties in connection with the operations against terrorists, the administra- tion, discipline and welfare of the Security Guard and such other duties as he may be called upon to perform in accordance with any law for the time being in force and any order given in this behalf by a superior officer shall be a lawful command for the purposes of the Act. 14. Command :- (1) An officer appointed to command shall have the power of command over all officers and men, irrespective of seniority, placed under his command. (2) (a) In the contingency of an officer being unable to exercise the command, to which he has been appointed, due to any reason, the command shall devolve on the second-in-command, if one has been so appointed. (b) If no second-in-command has been appointed, it shall devolve on the officer who may be appointed to officiate by the immediate superior of the officer unable to exercise command. (c) If no such officer has been so appointed, command shall devolve on the senior most officer present. (d) The inability of an officer to exercise command and its assumption by any other officer in accordance with this sub-rule shall be immediately reported to the next higher authority by the officer who has assumed such command. (3) If persons belonging to different units are working together- (i) in regard to the specific task on which they are en gaged, the officer appointed to command or in his absence the senior most officer present shall exercise command over all such persons ; (ii) in all other matters the senior officer belonging to each unit shall exercise command over persons belonging to his unit. (4) Disciplinary powers, over a person subject to the Act shall be exercised by the Commander of the unit to which such a person belongs or the officer on whom command has devolved in accordance with sub-rule (2). (5) Where such a person is doing detachment duty, including attendance at a course of instruction, the Commander of the unit, centre or establishment with which he is doing such duty shall also have all the disciplinary powers of a Commander. (6) The Director-General, the Inspector-General and the Deputy Ins- pector-General may specify one or more officers of the staff who shall exercise the disciplinary powers of a Commander in respect of persons belonging to or doing detachment duty at their respective Headquarters. (7) The Director-General may also specify Officers who shall exercise the disciplinary powers of an Inspector-General and Deputy Inspector- General respectively in respect of persons belonging to or doing detachment duty at his Headquarters. (8) An Inspector-General may specify an officer who shall exercise the disciplinary powers of a Deputy Inspector-General in respect of persons belonging to or doing detachment duty at his Headquarters. Explanation.- In sub-rules (1) and (3) the word "officer" shall include Assistant Commanders and Rangers Grade I. CHAPTER 4 Termination of Service 15. Termination of service of officers by the Central Government on account of misconduct :- (1) When it is proposed to terminate the service of an officer under Section 9 on account of misconduct, be shall be given an opportunity to show cause in the manner specified in sub-rule (2) against such action: Provided that this sub-rule shall not apply- (a) where the service is terminated on the ground of conduct which has led to his conviction by a criminal court or a Security Guard Court; or (b) where the Central Government is satisfied that for reasons, to be recorded in writing, it is not expedient or reasonable practicable to give to the officer an opportunity of showing cause. (2) When after considering the reports on an Officer's misconduct, the Central Government or the Director-General is satisfied that the trial of the Officer by a Security Guard Court is inexpedient or impracticable, but is of the opinion, that the further retention of the said Officer in the service is undesirable, the Director-General shall so inform the officer together with particulars of allegations and report of investigation (including the statement of witnesses, if any, recorded and copies of documents, if any, intended to be used against him) in cases where allegations have been investigated and he shall be called upon to submit, in writing, his explanation and defence : Provided that the Director-General may withhold disclosure of such report or portion thereof if, in his opinion, its disclosure is not in the interest of the Security of the State. (3) In the event of the explanation of the Officer being considered un- satisfactory by the Director-General or when so directed by the Central Government, the case shall be submitted to the Central Government with the Officer's defence and the recommendation of the Director-General as to the termination of the officer's service in the manner specified in sub-rule (4). (4) When submitting a case to the Central Government under the provisions of sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3), the Director-General shall make his recommendation whether the officer's service should be terminated, and if so, whether the officer should be- (a) dismissed from the service ; or (b) removed from the service ; or (c) retired from the service ; or (d) called upon to resign. (5) The Central Government after considering the reports and the officer's defence, if any. or the judgement of the criminal court, as the case may be, and the recommendation of the Director-General may remove or dismiss the officer with or without pension or retire or get his resignation from service, and on his refusing to do so, the officer may be compulsorily retired or removed' from the service with pension or gratuity, if any, admis- sible to him. 16. Termination of service of officers by the Central Government on grounds other than misconduct :- (1) When the Director-General is satisfied that an officer is unsuitable to be retained in service, the officer- (a) shall be so informed : (b) shall be furnished with the particulars of all matters adverse to him; and (c) shall be called upon to urge any reason he may wish to put for- ward in favour of his retention in the service : (2) In the event of the explanation being considered by the Director- General unsatisfactory, the matter shall be submitted to the Central Govern- ment for orders, together with the officer's explanation and the recommenda- tion of the Director-General. (3) The Central Government after considering the reports, the explana- tion, if any, of the officer and the recommendation of the Director-General, may call upon the officer to retire or resign and on his refusing to do so, the officer may be compulsorily retired from the service with pension or gratuity, if any, admissible to him. 17. Dismissal or removal of persons other than Officers on account of misconduct :- (1) When it is proposed to terminate the service of a person subject to the Act other than an officer, he shall be given an opportunity by the authority competent to dismiss or remove him to show cause in the manner specified in sub-rule (2) against such action : Provided that this sub-rule shall not apply (a) where the service is terminated on the ground of conduct which has led to his conviction by a criminal court or a Security Guard Court; or (b) where the competent authority is satisfied that, for reasons to be recorded in writing it is not expedient or reasonably practicable to give the person concerned an opportunity of showing cause. (2) When after considering the reports on the misconduct of the person concerned, the competent authority is satisfied that the trial of such a person is inexpedient or impracticable; but is of the opinion, that his further retention in the service is undesirable, it shall so inform him together with all reports adverse to him and he shall be called upon to submit, in writing, in his explanation and defence : Provided that the competent authority may withhold from disclosure any such report or portion thereof, if. in his opinion, its disclosure is not in the public interest. (3) The competent authority after considering his explanation and defence, if any, or the judgement of the criminal court, as the case may be, may dismiss or remove him from the service with or without pension. (4) All cases of dismissal or removal under this Rule, shall be reported to the Director-General. 18. Retirement of officers on grounds of physical unfitness :- (1) Where an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Inspector- General considers that an officer of the Security Guard is unfit to perform his duties because of his physical condition, the officer shall be brought before a medical board. (2) The medical board shall consist of such officers and shall be constituted in such manner as may, from time to time, be laid down by the Director-General. (3) Where the medical board considers the officer to be unfit for service, the Central Government shall, if it agrees with the finding of the Medical Board, communicate to the said officer the findings of the medical board and thereupon, within a period of fifteen days of such communication, the officer may make a representation against it to the Central Government. (4) The Central Government may, on receiving the representation from the officer, refer the case to be reviewed by a fresh medical board constituted for the purpose and order the retirement of the said officer if the decision of the fresh medical board is adverse to him. 19. Retirement of Assistant Commanders on grounds of unsuitability :- Where a Commander not below the rank of Group Commander is .satisfied that an Assistant Commander is unsuitable to be retained in the Security Guard, he may recommend to the competent authority for the retirement of such an Assistant Commander. Thereupon, the Inspector-General, in the case of Assistant Commander Grade I and the Deputy Inspector-General in the case of Assistant Com- mander Grade II and Grade III may, after giving such an Assistant Com- mander, an opportunity of showing cause (except when he considers it to be impracticable to give such opportunity), retire the said Assistant Commander from the Security Guard. 20. Retirement of Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen on grounds of unsuitability :- Wher a Commander not below the rank of Group Commander is satisfied that a Ranger or a Combatised Tradesman is unsuitable to be retained in the Security Guard, the Commander may, after giving such Ranger or a Combatised Tradesman an opportunity of showing cause (except where he considers it to be impracticable to give such opportunity), retire the said Ranger or a Combatised Tradesman from the Security Guard. 21. Retirement of Assistant Commanders, Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen on grounds of physical unfitness :- (1) Where a Commander not below the rank of Group Commander is satisfied that an Assistant Comman- der, a Ranger or a Combatised Tradesman is unable to perform his duties by reason of a n y physical disability, he may direct that the said Assistant Commander, the Ranger or the Combatised Tradesman, as the case may be, be brought before a Medical Board. (2) The Medical Board shall be constituted in such manner as may be determined by the Director-General. (3) Where the said Assistant Commander, Ranger or Combatised Tradesman is found by the Medical Board to be unfit for further service in the Security Guard, the Commander shall forward the proceedings of the Medical Board to the Inspector-General in the case of Assistant Commander Grade I and the Deputy Inspector- General in the case of Assistant Com- mander Grade II and Grade III. The Inspector-General or the Deputy Inspector-General, or as the case may be, the Commander in the case of Ranger or Combatised Tradesman, shall if he agrees with the finding of the Medical Board, inform the person concerned about it, to enable him to represent against the decision of the Medical Board within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of such communication. (4) Where the person declared to be unfit for further service makes a representation under sub-rule (3), the same shall be forwarded to the next superior officer, who shall have the case referred to be reviewed by a fresh medical board, which will be constituted in such manner as may be deter- mined by the Director-General. The superior officer may, having regard to the finding of the fresh medical board, pass such order as he may deem fit. (5) Where no representation is made against the decision of the medical board under sub-rule (3), the Inspector-General or the Deputy Inspector- General or as the case may be, the Commander, may (if he agrees with the finding of the Medical Board), order the retirement of the Assistant Com- mander Grade I or the Assistant Commander Grades II and III, or as the case may be, the Ranger of Combatised Tradesman, respectively. 22. Resignation :- (1) The Central Government may, having regard to the special circumstances of any case, permit any officer of the Security Guard to resign from the Security Guard before the attainment of the age of the retirement or before putting in such number of years of service as may be necessary under the rules to be eligible for retirement : Provided that while granting such permission the Central Government may - (i) require the officer to refund to the Government such amount as would constitute the cost of training given to that officer : or (ii) in case the officer is eligible for pensionary benefits under the pension rules, order such reduction in the pension or other pensionary benefits of the officer as the Government may consider to be just and proper in the circumstances. (2) The Central Government may accept the resignation under sub- rule (1) with effect from such date as it may consider expedient : Provided that it shall not be later than three months from the date of receipt of such resignation. (3) The Central Government may refuse to permit an officer to resign- (a) if an emergency has been declared in the country either due to internal disturbances or external aggression ; or (b) if it considers it to be inexpedient so to do in the interest of the discipline of the Security Guard ; or (c) if the officer has specifically undertaken to serve for a specified period and such period has not expired. (4) The provisions of this rule shall apply to and in relation to Assistant Commanders. Rangers and Combatised Tradesmen as they apply to and in relation to any officer of the Security Guard and the powers vested in he Central Government under sub-rules (1) and (2) shall beexercised in the case of an Assistant Commander Grade I, by an Inspector-General, in the case of Assistant Commanders Grades II and III by a Deputy Inspector- General and in the case of Ranger Grade I, Ranger or Combatised Trades- man, by a Group Commander. 23. Powers to be exercised by a Superior Officer or authority :- Any power conferred by the provisions of this Chapter on an officer may also be exercised by an officer or authority superior in command to the first mention- ed officer. 24. Appeal against orders of dismissal, removal or retirement :- ( 1) A person subject to the Act other than an officer who has been dismissed, removed or prematurely retired from service, shall have the right to put in an appeal against the termination of his service to any of the authority, higher than the one who has passed the termination order within ninety days of the termination of service. (2) In case of officers, appeal shall lie to the Central Government and such appeal shall befiled within ninety days of the termination of service. (3) Where the appellate authority sets aside the order of dismissal, removal or retirement under this rule, such authority shall pass such orders as may be necessary in respect of the period of absence from duty of the person whose dismissal, removal or retirement has been set aside. 25. Date of dismissal, removal, discharge, retirement :- (1) The effective date of dismissal, removal, resignation or retirement shall be- (a) the date mentioned in the order of dismissal or removal or discharge or order sanctioning of accepting resignation or retirement; or (b) if no such date is mentioned, the date on which the order was signed or the date on which the person concerned is relieved from duties, whichever is later. (2) The dismissal, removal, discharge, resignation or retirement of a person subject to the Act shall not be restrospective. CHAPTER 5 Arrest and Investigation 26. Forms of arrest :- (1) Arrest may be either open or close arrest. (2) An arrest, unless otherwise specified, shall mean an open arrest. (3) An order imposing arrest may be communicated to the person to be arrested either orally or in writing. 27. Authority to order arrest :- (1) No person subject to this Act shall be arrested on a charge under the Act except under and in accordance with the orders of a superior officer having power of command over him. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) any person subject to the Act may be placed under arrest by any superior officer- (a) if he commits an offence against such superior officer, or (b) if he commits an offence in the view of such superior officer, or (c) if he is behaving in a disorderly manner and the said superior officer considers it necessary to place such a person under arrest with a view to stop such disorderly behaviour. (3) A superior officer effecting arrest under sub-rule (2) shall, as soon as possible, and in any case within twenty four hours of such arrest send a report to the Commander of the group 'or unit of which the person arrested is a member and in case of the arrest of an officer of and above the rank of Group Commander to his immediate superior officer. 28. Arrest how imposed :- (A) Close arrest.- (1) (a) Close arrest, in the case of a Ranger Grade II and a combatised tradesman, shall be imposed by informing the person to be arrested and ordering him to be marched to the place of confinement under an escort of persons of similar or superior rank. (b) Where no such escort is available the person arrested shall be ordered to report himself immediately to the quarter guard or other place of confinement. (2) (a) Close arrest in the case of officers. Assistant Commanders and Rangers Grade I shall be imposed by placing such officer. Assistant Com- mander, Ranger Grade I under the custody of another person of similar or superior rank and wherever considered necessary such officer. Assistant Commander or Ranger Grade I may be confined under charge of a guard. (b) The person under arrest shall not leave the place of his confine- ment without permission of a superior officer designated by the Commander in this behalf. (B) Open Arrest.- (3) (a) Open arrest shall be imposed.by informing the person to be arrested that he is under open arrest and that he shall confine himself within such limits as may be specified in this behalf by the concerned superior officer effecting such arrest. (b) The Commander may, from time to time, vary the limits referred to in clause (a) above. 29. Release from arrest during investigation :- (1) Any person arrested under Rule 27 may be released from arrest under the order of an officer: Provided that in case of a person placed under arrest by an officer such person shall be released from arrest under the order of an officer superior to the officer ordering arrest. (2) Subject to the provisions of Rule 30, no person except on the basis of any fresh evidence against him be re-arrested. 30. Release without prejudice to re-arrest :- Pending the completion of the investigation or convening of a court, any person, who has been placed under arrest, may without prejudice to re-arrest be released by his Commander or by any officer superior to his such Commander. 31. Arrest when to be imposed :- (1) Any person charged with- (i) an offence under Section 15 or clause (a) or clause (b) of Section 16 or Section 17 or Section 20 or sub-section (1) of section 21 . (ii) a civil offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life ; (iii) any other offence under the Act- (a) if the interest of discipline so require, or (b) if the person concerned deliberately undermines discipline, or (c) if the person concerned is of violent disposition, or (d) if the person concerned is likely to absent himself with a view to avoid trial, or (e) if the person concerned is likely to interfere with witnesses or tamper with evidence, (2) Where any person arrested shows symptoms of sickness, medical assistance shall be provided for such persons. 32. Special provision in case of arrest of a drunken person :- (1) Where a drunken person has been arrested, he shall, as far as possible, be confined separately and shall be visited by duty officer, duty Assistant Commander or duty Ranger incharge of the guard, once every two hours. (2) A drunken person shall not be taken before a superior officer for investigation of his case until be has become sober. 33. Arrest in case of persons whose trial has been ordered :- (1) Unless the convening officer has otherwise directed on the commencement of the trial of a person by the court, the said person shall be placed under arrest by his Commander and shall remain under arrest during the trial. (2) Where a sentence lower than that of imprisonment is passed by a court, the arrested person may be released by his Commander pending confirmation of the finding and sentence : Provided that the convening authority may rescind, vary or modify the order passed by a Commander under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) and where no such order is passed by a Commander, the convening authority may pass such order as it may deem proper : Provided further that a person who has been sentenced to be dismissed shall not, except while on active duty, be put on any duty. 34. Delay Report :- (1) (a) The report on reason for delay as re- quired under Section 57 shall be in the Form set out in Appendix I and it shall be sent by the Commander to the Deputy Inspector-General under whom the accused may be serving. (b) A copy of the eighth delay report and every succeeding report thereof shall also be sent to the Inspector-General under whom the accused may be serving. (2) Where the accused is kept under arrest for a period exceeding three months without being brought to trial, a special report regarding the action taken and the reasons for the delay shall be sent by the Commander to the Director-General with a copy each to the Deputy Inspector-General and the Inspector-General concerned. 35. Rights of a person under arrest :- (1) (a) Any person placed under arrest shall, at the time of being placed under arrest, be given in writing by the officer effecting the arrest of the particulars of the charges against him. (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a) where during the investigation other offences committed by the accused are discovered, it shall be lawful to charge such person with those offences. (2) (a) The duty officer or duty Assistant Commander shall every day make a visit to the person under arrest and take the orders of the Com- mander on any request or representation made by the person under arrest. (b) The request or representation made by the person under arrest shall be entered in the form set out in Appendix II. CHAPTER 6 Choice of Jurisdiction between Security Guard Court and Criminal Court 36. Trial of cases either by Security Guard Court or Criminal Court :- (1) Where an offence is triable both by a criminal court and a Security Guard Court, an officer referred to in Section 77 may,- (i) (a) Where the offence is committed by the accused in the course of the performance of his duty as a member of the Secu- rity Guard, or (b) where the offence is committed in relation to property belonging to the Government or the Security Guard or a person subject to the Act, or (c) where the offence is committed against a person subject to the Act, (ii) in any other case, decide whether or not it would be necessary in the interest of discipline to claim for trial by a court any person subject to the Act who is alleged to have committed such an offence. (2) In taking a decision to claim an offender for trial by a Security Guard Court, an officer referred to in Section 77 may take into account all or any of the following factors, namely : (a) the offender is on active duty or has been warned for active duty and it is felt that he is trying to avoid such duty ; (b) the offender is a young person undergoing training and the offence is not a serious one and the trial of the offender by a criminal court would materially affect his training. (c) the offender can, in view of the nature of the case, be dealt with summarily under the Act. 37. Cases which may not be tried by Security Guard Court :- Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-rule (1) of Rule 36, an offender may not normally, be claimed for trial by a Security Guard Court- (a) where the offence is committed by him alongwith any other person not subject to the Act whose identity is known ; or (b) where the offence is committed by him while on leave or during absence without leave. CHAPTER 7 Investigation and Summary Disposal 38. Statement of allegations :- Where it it alleged that a person subject to the Act has committed an offence punishable thereunder, the allegation shall be reduced to writing in the form set out in Appendix III in the case of persons of and below the rank of Ranger Grade I and in the form set out in Appendix IV in the case of Officers and Assistant Commanders. 39. Hearing by the Team Commanders and Squadron Commander :- (1) (a) In the case of a person, subject to the Act, other than an Officer and an Assistant Commander, the case may, in the first instance, be heard by his Team Commander or by his Squadron Commander. (b) The witness shall be heard in the presence of the accused who shall have the right to cross-examine them. (c) The accused shall have the right to call witnesses in defence and to make a statement. (2) After bearing the accused under sub-rule (1), the Team Com- mander or the Squadron Commander, as the case may be, may award any punishment which he is empowered to award, or dismiss the charge when the charge is not proved, or refer the case for disposal by the Commander : Provided that he shall not dispose of the case which has been reserved by the Commander for disposal by himself or if the accused is under close arrest. 40. Hearing by the Commander :- (1) The Commander of and above the rank of Group Commander may hear the charge against all ranks in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (1) of Rule 39 and may- (i) award any punishment which he is empowered to award in respect of persons of and below the rank of a Ranger Grade I, or (ii) dismiss the charge, or (iii) remand the case for preparing a record of evidence or an abstract of evidence against the accused, or (iv) in the case of an accused of and below the rank of Ranger Grade I, remand the accused for trial by Summary Security Guard Court: (a) in the case of an Officer, the evidence of witnesses shall be reduced to writing if he so demands ; (b) the Commander shall dismiss the charge, if in his opinion, the charge's not proved or may dismiss it if he considers that be- cause of the previous character of the accused and the nature of the charge against him, it is not advisable to proceed further with it. In case of an Officer, he shall record reasons for dis- missing the charge; (c) where a case in respect of an Officer has been referred to the Commander by a superior authority for initiation of disciplinary action, the Commander shall not dismiss the charge without reference to such authority; (d) in case of all offences punishable with death, a record of evidence shall be prepared. (2) Where the Commander is of the opinion that the charge against an officer or an Assistant Commander is of a serious nature, he may, without hearing the charge in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (1), straightaway order a record of evidence of an ' abstract of evidence to be prepared in the case. (3) Where the Commander is of the opinion that the charge against an Officer or an Assistant Commander does not deserve to be dismissed, and the charge is also not so serious as may warrant trial by a Security Guard Court, he may, in the case of an Assistant Commander, either dispose of the case himself or refer it to the appropriate authority for disposal under the provisions of Section 54 . In the case of an Officer, he may refer the case to the appropriate authority for summary disposal under the provisions of Section 53 . (4) Where disciplinary action is intended to be taken against an Officer in command of a Group, or a Unit, or a Headquarters, such Officer shall be removed from the command of the Group, the Unit, or the Head- quarters, as the case may be, and for the purpose, shall be attached to or posted to a Group Unit, or a Headquarters under the Command of an Officer senior to the Officer to be so attached or posted. 41. Procedure for summary disposal of charges against officers :- (1) Where an Officer is remanded for the summary disposal of a charge against him, he shall be provided substance of evidence available against him or a copy of the record or abstract of evidence, if prepared, along with ; a copy of the charge-sheet as soon as practicable and in any case not less than 24 hours before the commencement of the proceedings. (2) The Officer dealing with the case under Section 53 shall, unless the accused has consented in writing to dispense with the attendance of witnesses, hear the evidence in the presence of the accused who shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses. The accused shall have the right to call any witness and make a statement in his defence. (3) Proceedings shall be recorded as far as practicable in accordance with the form in Appendix XIV, and in every case in which the punishment is awarded, the proceedings along with substance of evidence or record or abstract of evidence, as the case may be, shall be forwarded to the next higher authority through the Judge Attorney-General or any Officer autho- rised by him who may if the punishment awarded appears to him to be illegal unjust or excessive, vary or remit the punishment or set aside the proceedings, or make such other directions as may be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. (4) An Officer who considers himself aggrieved by any decision given under this rule, may submit one petition through his Commander, with one month of the disposal of the case to the Director-General who may pass such order or direction as may be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. 42. Summary disposal of charges against Assistant Commanders :- (1) Where an Assistant Commander is charged with an offence under the Act, he shall be dealt with by the authority empowered under Section 54 in the same manner as nearly as circumstances admit, as provided in rule 41. (2) Proceedings shall be recorded as soon as practicable in accordance with the form in Appendix XIV, and in every case in which the punishment is awarded, the proceedings alongwith substance of evidence or record or abstract of evidence, as the case may be, shall be forwarded to the next higher authority through the Judge Attorney-General or any officer autho- rised by him who may, if the punishment awarded appears to him to be illegal, unjust or excessive, vary or remit the punishment or set-aside the proceedings, or make such other directions as may be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. (3) An Assistant Commander who considers himself aggrieved by any decision given under this rule may submit one petition through his Com- mander within one month of the disposal of the case, to the authority supe- rior to the one who awarded the punishment, and such authority may pass such order or direction as may be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. 43. Attachment to another unit :- The Commander shall not deal with any case- (i) where the offence with which the accused is charged is against the Commander himself, or (ii) where the Commander is himself a witness in the case against the accused, or (iii) where the Commander is otherwise personally interested in the case, the accused shall be attached to another Group or Unit or a headquarter for disposal of the case under the order of the competent authority: Provided that a Commander shall not be disqualified from hearing a charge merely because the offence was committed against the property of a Security Guard Mess, band or institution of which the Commander is a member or trustee or because the offence is one of disobedience of such Commander's orders. 44. Charges not to be dealt with summarily :- A charge for an offence under Section 15 or clauses (a) and (b) of Section 16 or Section 17 or clause (a) of Section 18 or clause (a) of Section 20 or clause (a) of Section 23 or Section 45 (other than that for simple hurt or theft) or a charge for abetment of or an attempt to commit any of these offences, shall not be dealt with summarily. 45. Record of evidence :- (1) The Commander may either prepare the record of evidence himself or detain another officer to do so. (2) The witnesses shall give their evidence in the presence of the accused and the accused shall have right to cross-examine all witnesses who give evidence against him. (3) After all the witnesses against the accused have been examined, he shall be cautioned in the following terms ; "You may make a statement if you wish to do so you are not bound to make one and whatever you state shall be taken down in writing and may be used in evidence". After having been cautioned in the aforesaid manner whatever the accused states shall be taken down in writing. (4) The accused may call witnesses in defence and the officer recording the evidence may ask any question that may benecessary to clarify the evidence given by such witnesses. (5) All witnesses shall give evidence on oath or affirmation : Provided that, no oath or affirmation shall be given to the accused nor shall he be cross-examined. (6) (a) The statements given by witnesses shall ordinarily be recorded in narrative form and the officer recording the evidence may, at the request of the accused, permit any portion of the evidence to be recorded in the form of question and answer. (b) The witnesses shall sign their statements after the same have been read over and explained to them. (7) The provisions of Section 86 shall apply for procuring the atten- dance of witnesses before the officer preparing the record of evidence. Witnesses shall be summoned as per specimen given in Appendix XV. (8) Where a witnessess cannot be compelled to attend or is not available or his attendance cannot be procured without an undue wastage of time or expenditure of money and after the officer recording the evidence has given a certificate in this behalf, a written statement signed by such witness may be read to the accused and included in the record of evidence. (9) After the recording of evidence is completed, the officer recording the evidence shall give a certificate in the following form : "Certified that the record of evidence ordered by........................... Commander.................................was made in the presence and hearing of the accused and the provisions of Rule 45 have been complied with." (10) No counsel or legal practitioner shall be permitted to appear before the Officer making the record of evidence. 46. Abstract of evidence :- (1) An abstract of evidence shall be prepar- ed either by the Commander or an officer detailed by him. (2) (a) The abstract of evidence, shall include, (i) signed statements of witnesses wherever available or a precise thereof, and (ii) copies of all documents intended to be produced at the trial. (b) Where signed statements of any witnesses are not available, a precise of the evidence that the witnesses are likely to give shall be included. (3) A copy of the abstract of evidence shall be given by the officer making the same to the accused and the accused shall be given an oppor- tunity to make a statement if he so desires after he has been cautioned in the manner laid down in sub-rule (3) of Rule 45 : Provided that the accused shall be given such time as may be reasonable in the circumstances but in no case less than twenty- four hours after receiving the abstract of evidence to make his statement. 47. Investigation of cases by Police :- Where the Commander considers it necessary so to do, be may lodge a report with the Police for investigation of any case. 48. Disposal of case by Commander after record or abstract of evidence :- (1) Where an officer has been detailed to prepare the record of evidence or to make an abstract thereof he shall forward the same to the Commander. (2) The Commander may, after going through the record or abstract of evidence prepared by him or by another officer,- (i) remand the case for recording additional evidence, if required, or (ii) dismiss the charge provided that where disciplinary action has been initiated against an officer on a reference from a superior authority, the charge shall not be dismissed without reference to such an authority, or (iii) rehear the charge and award one of the summary punishments, or (iv) try the accused summarily under Section 51 or by a Summary Security Guard Court where he is empowered so to do. or (v) remand the case for summary disposal by the competent authority in the case of an Officer or an Assistant Commander, or (vi) apply to a competent officer or authority to convene a court for the trial of the accused. 49. Application for a Court :- An application for a court shall, as far as possible, be made by the Commander in the form set out in Appendix V and shall be accompanied by five copies of the record or abstract of evidence and charge-sheet and such other documents as are mentioned in that application form. CHAPTER 8 On charges and Matters Antecedent to Trial 50. Charge-sheet :- (1) A charge sheet shall contain the whole of the issue or issues to be tried at one time and may contain more than one charge, if the charges are founded on the same facts or form part of a series of offences of same or similar character : Provided that a charge under Sectionsrule 18, Rule 19, rule 28 and rule 31 may be included in any charge sheet, notwithstanding that other charges in that charge sheet are not founded on the same facts or do not form part of a series of offences of the same or similar character. (2) Every charge sheet shall, as far as possible, be prepared as per the specimen set out in Appendix IV. 51. Charges :- (1) There shall be a separate charge for each offence. (2) (a) If a single act or series of acts is of such a nature that it is doubtful which of several offences the facts which can be proved will cons- titute, the accused may be charged with having committed all or any of such offences, and any number of such charges may be tried at once or he may be charged in the alternative with having committed some one of the said offences. (b) The charge for the more serious offence shall precede the one for the less serious offence. (3) Each charge shall consist of two parts, namely,- (a) statement of the offence, and (b) particulars of the offence. (4) The offence shall be stated, if not a civil offence, as nearly as prac- ticable, in the words of the Act, and if a civil offence, in such words as would sufficiently describe that offence. (5) (a) The particulars shall state the time and place of the alleged offence and the person (if any) against whom, or the thing (if any) in respect of which it was committed and these should be sufficient to give the accused notice of the matter with which he is so charged. (b) In case such particulars are not sufficient to give the accused notice of the matter with which he is charged, the charge shall also contain such particulars of the manner in which the offence was committed as will be sufficient for that purpose. 52. Joint Charges :- (1) Any member of accused may be charged jointly and tried together for an offence averred to have been committed jointly by them. (2) Any number of accused though not charged jointly may also be tried together for an offence averred to have been committed by one or more of them and abetted by other or others. (3) Where the accused are so charged under sub-rule (1) or sub- rule (2), any one or more of them may be charged with, and tried for, any other offence with which they could have been charged under sub-rule (1) of rule 50. 53. Validity of charge sheet :- A charge sheet shall not be invalid merely by reasons of the fact that, it contains any mistake in the name or description of the accused, and in the construction of a charge sheet there shall he presumed in favour of supporting it every proposition which may reasonably be presumed to be impliedly included, though not expressed therein, and the statement of the offence and the particulars of the offence shall be read and construed together. 54. Amendment of the charge by the Security Guard Court :- (1) At any time during a trial, if it appears to the court that there is in the charge sheet,- (a) a mistake in the name or description of the accused, or (b) a mistake which is attributable to a clerical error or omission, (2) If at any time during a trial, at which there is a Judge Attorney, it appears to the Court, before it closes to deliberate on its findings, that it is desirable in the interest of justice to make any addition to, omission from or alteration in, a charge which cannot be made under sub-rule (1), it may, if such addition, omission, or alteration can be made without unfairness to the accused, and with the concurrence of the Judge Attorney, so amend the charge. (3) If at any time during a trial, at which there is no Judge Attorney, it appears to the Court, before it closes to deliberate on its findings, that in the interest of justice, it is desirable to make any addition to, omission from or alteration in a charge, which cannot be made under sub-rule (1), it may adjourn and report its opinion to the convening officer, who may- (a) amend the charge if permissible under rule 55 and direct the court to try it as amended after due notice of the amendment has been given to the accused ; or (b) direct the court to proceed with the trial of the charge without amending it; or (c) convene a fresh Court to try the accused. 55. Amendment of Charge by Convening Officer :- When a Security Guard Court reports to the convening officer under either rule 54 or rule 70 he may amend the charge in respect of which the court has reported to him, by making -any addition to, omission from or alteration in the charge which, in his opinion, is desirable in the interest of justice and which he is satisfied, can be made without unfairness to the accused. 56. Action by a Superior Authority on receiving an application for convening a Court :- (1) As soon as a superior officer receives an application for convening a court, he shall scrutinise the charge and the evidence against the accused, where necessary in consultation with the Judge Attorney- General or an officer detailed for the purpose, by the Judge Attorney-General and he- (i) shall direct the Commander to dismiss the charge where the evidence against the accused is insufficient and further evidence is not likely to be available and may direct him to do so if he considers it inadvisable to proceed with the trial ; or (ii) may return the case to the Commander for being tried by a Summary Security Guard Court or being dealt with summarily if be considers that the same can be adequately so tried or dealt with; or (iii) may dispose of the case administratively and if he is not compe- tent to do so, may forward the case to higher authority with his recommendations; or (iv) may return the case for recording further evidence, if he consi- ders the evidence recorded insufficient but considers that further evidence may be available. (2) (a) In any other case he may either himself convene a Court or if he considers that a higher type of court should be convened and he is not empowered to convene such a court, forward the case to a higher autho- rity with recommendation that such court may be convened. (b) The higher authority on receiving the case may exercise any of the powers given in sub-rule (1) : Provided that a superior officer or higher authority before convening a General Security Guard Court or a Petty Security Guard Court shall take the advice of the Judge Attorney-General or an officer detailed for the pur- pose by the Judge Attorney-General : Provided further that the superior authority or higher authority while convening a court may reframe the charge sheet on which the accused is to be tried. 57. Disqualification of officers for serving on General and Petty Secu- rity Guard Courts :- An officer shall be disqualified from serving on a court, if he- (i) is an officer who convened the court ; or (ii) is the prosecutor or a witness for the prosecution ; or (iii) has taken any part in the investigation of the case which would have necessitated applying his mind to any part of the evidence or to the facts of the case : or (iv) is the Commander of the accused, or the Deputy Inspector- General under whose command the unit in which the accused was serving at the time the alleged offence was committed ; or (v) has a personal interest in the case. 58. Composition of General and Petty Security Guard Courts :- (1) A Court shall consist, as far as practicable, of officers of different units. (2) The members of a court for the trial of an officer shall be of a rank not lower than the rank of that officer, unless in the opinion of the convening officer, officers of such rank are not, having due regard to the exigencies of public service, available. Such opinion shall be recorded in the convening order. 59. Duties of convening officer when convening courts :- When an officer convenes a court he shall- (a) issue a convening order in the appropriate form set out in Appendix VI: (b) direct upon .what charges the accused is to be tried and ensure that the accused has been remanded for trial by a court upon these charges, by his Commander ; (c) if he is of the opinion that charges shall be put in separate charge sheets, so direct and shall also direct the order in which they are to be tried ; (d) direct, if there is more than one accused whether the accused are to be tried jointly or separately ; (e) appoint members of the court and any waiting members; (f) if convening- a General Security Guard Court or a Petty Security Guard Court which he considers should be attended by a Judge Attorney, take the necessary steps to procure the appoint- ment of a Judge Attorney by or on behalf of the Judge Attorney-General and may also appoint an officer to be under his instruction at the trial ; (g) appoint an officer, subject to the Act or a counsel assisted by an officer to prosecute : Provided that the convening officer may appoint more than one such officer or counsel to prosecute if hs thinks fit ; (h) appoint an interpreter wherever necessary ; (i) send to the senior member the charge sheet, the convening order and a copy of the record or abstract of evidence from which any evidence, which in his opinion would be inadmissible as the trial has been expurgated ; (j) forward to each member of the court and to each waiting mem- ber a copy of charge sheet and the convening order ; (k) forward to the prosecutor copies of the charge sheet and con- vening order and the original record or abstract of evidence together with an unexpurgated copy thereof showing the passages (if any) which have been expurgated in the copy sent to the senior member; (l) forward to the Judge Attorney (if any) copies of the charge sheet and convening order and an unexpurgated copy of the record or abstract of evidence showing the passages (if any) which have been expurgated in the copy sent to the senior member ; (m) ensure that the Commander has summoned all the prosecution witnesses and such defence witnesses as the accused may have requested to be summoned under Rule 61. 60. Preparation of defence by the accused :- (1) An accused, who has been remanded for trial, shall be afforded proper opportunity for preparing bis defence and shall be allowed proper communication with his defending officer or counsel and with his witnesses. (2) A defending officer, as far as possible of the choice of the accused, shall be appointed to defend an accused who has been remanded for trial unless the accused states in writing "that he does not wish such an appoint- ment to be made. (3) If the prosecution is to be undertaken by a legally qualified officer or by a counsel the accused shall be notified of this fact in sufficient time to enable him, if he so desires to make arrangements for a legally qualified officer or counsel to defend him. (4) As soon as practicable after a decision has been taken to place the accused on trial and in any case not less than four days before his trial he shall be given- (a) a copy of the charge sheet ; (b) an unexpurgated copy of the record or abstract of evidence showing the passages (if any) within which have been expurgat- ed in the copy sent to the senior member ; (c) notice of any additional evidence which the prosecution intends to adduce; and (d) if the accused so requires, a list of the ranks, names, and units of the members who are to form the Court and of any waiting members. (5) When an accused is given a copy of the charge sheet and of the record or abstract of evidence in accordance with this rule, he shall- (a) have the charge explained to him ; and (b) be informed that, upon his making a written request to bis Com- mander not less than twenty four hours before his trial requiring the attendance at his trial of a witness (other than a witness for the prosecution) whom he desires to call in his defence (such witness to be named by him), reasonable steps will be taken in accordance with these rules to procure the attendance of any such witness at his trial. (6) The provisions of sub-rules (2) and (3) shall not apply in relation to a trial before a Summary Security Guard Court and in relation to such a trial the period of four days referred to in sub- rule (4) shall be construed as twenty four hours. 61. Summoning of Defence Witnesses :- (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-rules (2) and (3), the Commander shall, on a request made in this behalf by the accused, summon such witnesses as are specified by the accused. (2) Where the Commander is satisfied that the evidence to be given by any witness is not likely to be of material assistance at the trial, he may refuse to summon such witness and while doing so he shall record in writing the reasons for not calling the witness. (3) The Commander may, before summoning any witness, require the accused to defray or undertake to defray the cost of attendance of such witness and if the accused refuses to defray or undertake to defray the cost aforesaid, the Commander may refuse to procure the attendance of that witness. (4) Where the Commander has refused to summon the witness under sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3), the accused may make an application to the Court for the summoning of such witness and the Court may, if it considers it to be expedient in the interests of justice, order the summoning of such witness and, if necessary, adjourn the proceedings for the attendance of such witness. Explanation.-For summoning witnesses, summons as per specimen given in Appendix XV shall be issued. CHAPTER 9 Procedure for General and Petty Security Guard Courts 62. Assembly and swearing of Court :- (1) Upon a Security Guard Court assembling, the Court shall, before beginning the trial, satisfy itself in closed Court. (a) that the Court has been convened in accordance with the Act and these rules; (b) that the Court consists of not less than the minimum number of officers required by law ; (c) that the members are of the required rank ; (d) that the members have been duly appointed and are not dis- qualified under the Act; (e) that if there is a Judge Attorney, he has been duly appointed ; (f) that the accused appears, from the charge sheet, to be subject to the Act and to be subject in the jurisdiction of the Court ; and (g) that each charge is correct in law and framed in accordance with these rules. (2) (a) Where a vacancy occurs through a member of the Court being disqualified under the Act, or being absent when the Court assembles, the presiding officer may appoint a duly qualified waiting member to fill that vacancy. (b) The presiding officer may, if the interests of justice so require, substitute a duly qualified waiting member for a member appointed by the convening officer. (3) If the Court is not satisfied on any of the matters mentioned in sub-rule (1) is not competent to rectify such matter itself under the Act or these rules, it shall before commencing the trial, report thereon to the con- vening officer. (4) When the Court has complied with this rule and is ready to pro- ceed with the trial, the presiding officer shall open the Court and the trial shall begin. 63. Commencement of Trial :- (1) The order convening the Court and the names of the officers appointed to try the accused shall be read in the hearing of the accused who shall bo given an opportunity to object to any of those officers in accordance with Section 81 . (2) When a Court is to try more than one accused whether separately or jointly, each accused shall be given an opportunity to object to any officer on the Court in accordance with the foregoing sub-rule and shall be asked separately whether he has any such objection. (3) An accused shall state the names of all the officers to whom be objects before any objection is disposed of. (4) If more than one officer is objected to, the objection to each officer shall be disposed of separately and the objection to the lowest in rank shall be disposed of first. (5) An accused may make a statement and call any person to make a statement in support of his objection. (6) An officer to whom the accused has objected may state in open Court anything relevant to the objection of the accused whether in support or in rebuttal thereof. (7) An objection to an officer shall be considered in closed Court by all the other officers on the Court and the officer objected to shall not be present at that time. (8) When an objection to an officer is allowed under sub-section (3) of Section 81 that officer shall forthwith retire and take no further part in the proceedings. (9) When an officer objected to retire and there is duly qualified waiting member in attendance, the presiding officer shall immediately appoint him to take the place of the officer who has retired. (10) The Court shall satisfy itself that a waiting member who takes the place of a member of the Court is of the required rank and not dis- qualified under the Act and shall give the accused an opportunity to object to him and shall deal with any such objection in accordance with the Act and these rules. (11) If as the result of the allowing of an objection to a member there are insufficient officers available to form a Court in compliance with the Act, the Court shall report to the convening officer without proceeding further with the trial and the convening officer may either appoint an officer as a member to fill the vacancy or convene a fresh Court to try the accused. 64. Swearing or affirming of members :- As soon as the Court is constituted with the proper number of officers who are not objected to or objections in respect of whom have been overruled on oath or affirmation shall be administered to every member in presence of the accused in one of the following forms or in such other form to the same purport as the Court ascertains to be according to his religion or otherwise binding on his conscience. \ \ \ \ \FORM OF OATH "I,.............................................swear by Almighty God, that I will, well and truly, try the accused (or accused persons), before the Court, according to the evidence, and that I will, duly administer justice, according to the National Security Guard Act, 1986, without partiality, favour or affection ; and I do further swear that I will not, on any account, at any time, whatsoever, disclose or discover, the vote or opinion of any particular member of the Court unless required to give evidence thereof by a court of law'.' \ \ \ \ \FORM OF AFFIRMATION "I,.......................................... do solemnly, sincerely and truly, declare and affirm, that I will well and truly, try the accused (or accused persons), before the Court, according to the evidence, and that I Will, duly administer justice according to the National Security Guard Act, 1986, Without partiality, favour or affection ; and I do further solemnly, sincerely and truly dedare and affirm that I will not, on any account, at any time, whatsoever, disclose or discover, the vote or opinion of any particular member of this Court unless required to give evidence thereof by a Court of Law." 65. Swearing or affirmation of Judge Attorney and other officers :- After the members of the Court are all sworn or have made affirmation, an oath or affirmation shall be administered to the following persons or such of them as are present at the Court in such of the following forms as shall be appropriate, or in such other form to the same purport as the Court ascertains to be according to the religion or otherwise binding on the conscience of the person to be sworn or affirmed. (A) JUDGE ATTORNEY FORM OF OATH I,................................. -........... swear by Almighty God that I will, to the best of my ability, carry out the duties of Judge Attorney, in accord- ance with the National Security Guard Act, 1986, and the rules made thereunder without partiality, favour or affection, and I do further swear that I will not, on any account, at any time, whatsoever, disclose or discover the vote or opinion on any matter of any particular member of this Court, unless required to give evidence thereof by a Court of Law. FORM OF AFFIRMATION I,........................................... do hereby, solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will, to the best of my ability, carry out the duties of Judge Attorney in accordance with the National Security Guard Act, 1986, and the rules made thereunder without partiality, favour or affection, and I do further solemnly, sincerely and trufly declare and affirm, that I will not, on any account, at any time, whatsoever, disclose or discover the vote or opinion, on any matter, of any particular member of this Court, unless, required to give evidence thereof by a Court of law. (B) OFFICER ATTENDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTRUCTION FORM OF OATH I,..........................................swear by Almighty God that I will not OB any account, at any time, whatsoever; disclose or discover the vote or opinion of any particular member of this Court unless required to give evidence thereof by a Court of Law. FORM OF AFFIRMATION I............. ...................................do solemnly, sincerely and truly, declare and affirm that I will not on any account, at any time, whatsoever disclose or discover the vote or opinion of any particular member of this Court unless required to give evidence thereof by a Court of Law. (C) SHORTHAND WRITER FORM OF OATH I,.............................................swear by Almighty God that I will truly take down to the best of my power the evidence to be given before this Court and such other matters as I may be required to take down and will, when required, deliver to the Court a true transcript of the same. FORM OF AFFIRMATION I,................................................ do solemnly, sincerely and truly, declare and affirm, that I will truly take down to the best of my power the evidence to be given before this Court and such other matters as I may be required to take down and will, when required, deliver to the Court a true transcript of the same. (D) INTERPRETER FORM OF OATH I,.............................................swear by Almighty God that I will faithfully, interpret and translate, as I shall be required to do, touching 'the matter before this Court. FORM OF AFFIRMATION I,.......................................do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully interpret and translate, as I shall be required to do, touching the matter before this Court. 66. Objection to interpreter or Shorthand Writer :- A person shall not be sworn or affirmed as an interpreter or shorthand-writer, if he is objected to by the accused unless the Court, after bearing the accused and the prosecutor disallows such objections as being unreasonable. 67. Objection to Judge Attorney and Prosecutor :- The accused shall not be permitted to object to the Judge Attorney or the prosecutor. 68. Arraignment :- (1) When the Court and the Judge Attorney (if any) have been sworn, the charge will be read to the accused and shall be asked whether he pleads guilty or not guilty to the charge or charges. (2) If there is more than one charge, against the accused he shall be required to plead separately to each charge. (3) If there is more than one charge-sheet against the accused, before the Court, the Court shall proceed with the charges in the first of such charge sheets and shall announce its finding thereon and if the accused has pleaded guilty, comply with rule 75, before it arraigns him upon the charges in any subsequent charge-sheet. 69. Plea to Jurisdiction :- (1) The accused, before pleading to the charge, may offer a plea regarding the jurisdiction of the Court ; and in such a case- (a) the accused may adduce evidence in support of the plea and the prosecutor may adduce evidence in answer thereto ; and (b) the prosecutor may address the Court in answer to the plea and the accused may reply to the prosecutor's address. (2) If the Court allows the plea it shall adjourn and report to the convening officer. (3) When the Court reports to the convening officer under this rule, the convening officer shall: (a) if he approves the decision of the Court to allow the plea, dis- solve the Court; (b) if he disapproves the decision of the Court ; either :- (i) refer the matter back to the Court and direct them to pro- ceed with the trial ; or (ii) convene a fresh Court to try the accused. 70. Objection to the cbarge :- (1) An accused before pleading to a charge may object to it on the grounds that it is not correct in law or is not framed in accordance with these rules and if he does so, the prosecutor may address the Court in answer to the objection and the accused may reply to the prosecutor's address. (2) If the Court upholds the objection, it shall either amend the charge if permissible under rule 54 or adjourn and report to the convening officer ; Provided that if there is another charge or another charge-sheet before the Court, the Court may, before adjourning under this rule, proceed with the trial of such other charge or other charge-sheet. (3) When the Court reports to the convening officer under this rule, the convening officer shall: (a) if he approves the decision of the Court to allow the objection: (i) dissolve the Court ; or (ii) where there is another charge or another charge-sheet before the Court which the Court has not tried, direct the Court to proceed with the trial of such other charge or charge-sheet only; or (iii) amend the charge to which the objection relates, if permis- sible under rule 55, and direct the Court to try it as amended, (b) If he disapproves the decision of the Court to allow the objec- tion :- (i) direct the Court to try the charge ; or (ii) where three is another charge or another charge-sheet before the Court to which the objection does not relate and which the Court has not tried, direct the Court to proceed with the trial of such other charge or charge-sheet only ; or (iii) convene a fresh Court to try the accused. 71. Plea in bar of trial :- (1) An accused before pleading to charge may offer a plea that the trial is barred under Section 72 or Section 73 . If he does so :- (a) the accused may adduce evidence in support of the plea and the prosecutor may adduce evidence in answer thereto, and (b) the prosecutor may address the Court in answer to the plea and the accused may reply to the prosecutor's address. (2) If the Court allows the plea it shall adjourn and report to the convening officer: Provided that if there is another charge or another charge-sheet before the Court, the Court may, before adjourning under this rule, proceed with the trial of such other charge or other charge-sheet. (3) When a Court reports to the convening officer under this rule. the convening officer shall :- (a) if he approves the decision of the Court to allow the plea, (i) dissolve the Court ; or (ii) where there is another charge or another charge-sheet before the Court, to which the plea does not relate and which the Court has not tried, direct the Court to proceed with the trial of such other charge or charge-sheet only. (b) If he disapproves the decision of the Court to allow the plea :- (i) direct the Court to try the charge ; or (ii) where there is another charge or another charge-sheet before the Court, to which the plea does not relate and which the Court has not tried, direct the Court to proceed with the trial of such other charge or charge-sheet only ; or (iii) convene a fresh Court to try the accused. 72. Application for separate trial :- (1) Where two or more accused are charged jointly, any one of the accused may, before pleading to the charge, apply to the Court to be tried separately on the ground that he would be prejudiced in his defence if he were not tried separately. (2) Where the accused makes such an application, the prosecutor may address the Court in answer thereto and the accused may reply to the prosecutor's address. (3) Where the Court is of the opinion that the interests of justice so require it shall allow the application and try separately the accused who made it. 73. Application for trial on separate charge-sheet :- (1) Where a charge-sheet contains more than one charge, the accused may, before plead- ing to the charges, apply to the Court to be tried separately on any charge in that charge-sheet on the ground that he would be prejudiced in his defence if he were not tried separately on that charge. (2) Where the accused makes such an application, the prosecutor may address the Court in answer thereto and the accused may reply to the pro- secutor's address. (3) Where the Court is of the opinion that interests of justice so require, it shall allow the application and try the accused separately on the charge to which it relates as if that charge had been .inserted in a separate charge-sheet. 74. Pleading to the charge :- (1) After any plea under rule 69 and rule 77, any objection under rule 70 and any applications under rule 72 and Rule 73 have been dealt with, the .accused shall be required subject to sub- rule (2) to plead either guilty or not guilty to each charge on which he is arraigned. (2) Where a Court is empowered by Section 90 to find an accused guilty of an offence other than that charged or guilty of committing the offence in circumstances involving a less degree of punishment or where it could after hearing the evidence, make a special finding of guilty subject to exceptions or variations in accordance with rule 95, the accused may plead guilty to such other offence or to the offence charged as having been com- mitted in circumstances involving a less degree of punishment or to the offence charged subject to such exceptions and variations. 75. Acceptance of plea of guilty :- (1) Where an accused pleads guilty to a charge under either sub- rule (1) or sub-rule (2) of rule 74, the presiding officer or Judge Attorney shall, before the Court decides to accept the plea. explain to the accused the nature of the charge and the general effect of his 'plea and in particular to difference in procedure when an accused pleads guilty and when an accused pleads not guilty. (2) The Court shall then cause the prosecutor to read the record or abstract of evidence to the Court or inform the Court of the facts contained therein; Provided that if an expurgated copy of the record or abstract of evi- dence was sent to the presiding officer, the prosecutor shall not read to the Court those parts of the record or abstract of evidence which have been expurgated or inform the Court of the facts contained in those parts, and shall not hand over the original record or abstract of evidence to the Court until the trial is concluded. Where there is no record or abstract of evi- dence, the Court shall record, in accordance with these rules, sufficient evidence to enable it to determine the sentence. (3) A Court shall not accept a plea of guilty under sub-rule (1) or sub- rule (2) of rule 77, if- (a) the Court is not satisfied that the accused understand the nature of the charge or the effect of his plea ; or (b) the presiding officer having regard to the evidence contained in the record of evidence or the abstract of evidence and all the circumstances, considers that the accused should plead not guilty; or (c) the accused is liable, if convicted, to be sentenced to death. (4) (a) In the case of a plea of guilty under rule 76, a Court shall not accept the plea unless the convening officer concurs and it is satisfied of the justice of such course. (b) The concurrence of the convening officer may be signed by the prosecutor. (5) When a plea of guilty under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) of rule 74 is not accepted by the Court or the accused either refuses to plead to the charge or does not plead to it intelligibly, the Court shall record a plea of not guilty. (6) When a Court is satisfied that it can properly accept a plea of guilty under sub-rule (1), sub-rule (2) of rule 74, it shall record a finding of guilty in respect thereof. (7) After the Court has recorded its findings, it shall give an oppor- tunity to the accused to adduce evidence of character and to make a state- ment in mitigation of punishment. (8) If from the evidence adduced by the accused and his statement made under sub-rule (7) the Court is satisfied that the accused did not under- stand the effect of the plea of guilty, it should alter the record and enter a plea of not guilty and proceed with the trial accordingly. (9) After sub-rule (7) has been complied with and if Court has decided to accept the plea of guilty, the Court shall proceed as directed in rule 97. 76. Plea on alternative charge :- (1) When an accused pleads guilty to the first of two or more alternative charges, the Court, if it accept the accused's plea of guilty, shall record a finding of guilty in respect of the first charge and the prosecutor shall withdraw any alternative charge before the accused is arraigned on it. (2) When an accused pleads guilty to one of two or more charges which are laid in the alternative other than the first of such charges, the Court, may,- (a) proceed as if the accused had pleaded not guilty to all the charges; or (b) (i) With concurrence of the convening officer (which may be signified by the prosecutor) record a finding of guilty on the charge which the accused has pleaded guilty and a finding of not guilty on any alternative charge which is placed before it in the change- sheet. (ii) Where the Court records such finding the prosecutor shall before the accused is arraigned on it withdraw any charge which is alternative to the charge of which the court has found the accused guilty and which is placed after it in the charge-sheet. 77. Order of trial where plea of guilty and not guilty :- (1) After the Court has recorded a finding of guilty, if there is no other charge in the same charge-sheet to which the accused has pleaded not guilty and no other accused who has pleaded not guilty to a charge in that charge-sheet, it shall proceed with the trial as directed by Rule 75. (2) Where there is another charge in the charge-sheet to which the accused has pleaded not guilty or there is another accused who has pleaded not guilty to a charge in that charge-sheet, the Court shall not comply with Rule 75 until after it has dealt with such other charge or tried such other accused and has announced and recorded its finding in respect thereof. 78. Charge of plea :- (1) An accused who has pleaded not guilty may, at the time before the Court closes to deliberate on its finding withdraw his plea of not guilty and substitute a plea of guilty (including a plea of guilty under Rule 76) and in such a case the Court shall, if it is satisfied that it can accept the accused's changed plea under these rules, record a finding in accordance with the accused's changed plea and so far as is necessary proceed as directed by Rule 75. (2) Where at any time during the trial it appears to the Court that an accused who has pleaded guilty does not understand the effect of his plea or the nature of the charge the Court shall enter a plea of not guilty and proceed with the trial accordingly. (3) Where the Court records a plea of not guilty in respect of any charge under sub-rule (2) it shall, if there was a charge laid in the alternative thereto which the prosecutor withdrew under Rule 76, reinstate such alter- native charge, arraign the accused thereof and proceed with the trial as if it had never been withdrawn. 79. Procedure on pleas of not guilty :- After a plea of not guilty to any charge has been recorded- (i) the Court shall ask the accused whether he wishes to apply for an adjournment on the ground that any, of these rules relating to procedure, before trial have not been complied with and that he has been prejudiced thereby or on the ground that he has not had sufficient opportunity for preparing his defence ; (ii) Where the accused applies for an adjournment,- (a) the accused may adduce evidence in support of his applica- tion and the prosecutor may adduce evidence in answer thereto; and (b) the prosecutor may address the Court in answer to the application and the accused may reply to the prosecutor's address; (iii) the Court may grant an adjournment if it thinks the interests of justice so require. 80. Opening address :- (1) The prosecutor may, if he so desires, and shall, if required by the Court, make an opening address explaining the charge and the nature and general effect of the evidence which he proposes to adduce. (2) The witnesses for the prosecution shall then be called and give their evidence. 81. Additional witness :- When the prosecutor intends to adduce evidence which is not contained in any record or abstract of evidence given to the accused, notice of such intention together with the particulars of the evidence shall, when practicable, be given to the accused at a reasonable time before the evidence is adduced. If such evidence is adduced without such notice or particulars having been given, the Court may, if the accused so desires either adjourn after receiving the evidence or allow any cross- examination arising out of that evidence to be postponed, and the Court shall inform the accused of his right to apply for such an adjournment or postponement. 82. Dropping witnesses :- The prosecutor shall not be bound to call all the witnesses against the accused whose evidence is contained in the record or abstract of evidence, nor a witness when he has notified the accused that he intends to call under Rule 81, but if the prosecutor does not intend to call such witness to give evidence, he shall give the accused reasonable notice that he does not intend to call the witness and that the accused will be allowed to communicate with him and to call him as a witness for the defence, if he so desires and if the witness is available. 83. Withdrawal of witnesses :- During a trial, a witness other than the prosecutor or accused shall not, except by leave of the Court, be in Court while not under examination, and if while he is under examination, a discussion arises as to whether a question is to be allowed or not with regard to his evidence the Court may direct the witness to withdraw during such discussion. 84. Examination of witnesses :- (1) A witness maybe examined by the person calling him and may be cross-examined by the opposite party to the proceeding and on the conclusion of any such cross-examination may be re- examinated by the person who called him on matters arising out of the cross-examination. (2) (a) The person examining a witness shall put his questions to the witness orally and unless an objection is made by the witness, the Court, the Judge-Attorney, the prosecutor or by the accused, the witness shall reply forthwith. (b) Where such an objection is made, the witness shall not reply until the objection has been disposed of. (3) The Court may allow the cross-examination or re-examination of a witness to be postponed. (4) Before the examination of a witness, he shall be administered an oath or affirmation in the following form or in such other form to the same purport as the Court ascertains to be in accordance with his religion or otherwise binding on his conscience FORM OF OATH I.......... ....................................swear by Almighty God that what ever I shall state, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. FORM OF AFFIRMATION I ................................................do solemnly, truly and sincerely declare and affirm that whatever I shall state, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. 85. Questioning by the Court :- (1) The presiding officer, the Judge- Attorney and any member of the Court may put questions to a witness. (2) Upon any such question being answered, the prosecutor and the accused may put to the witness such questions arising from the anwer which he has given as seem proper to the Court. 86. Reading over of evidence :- (1) (a) The record which has been made of the evidence given by a witness shall be read beck to him before he leaves the Court and when this is done be may ask for the record to be corrected or explain the evidence which he has given. (b) Where any such correction is made or explanation given the pro- secufor and the accused may put such questions to the witness respecting the correction or explanation as seem proper to the Court. (2) When a shorthand-writer is employed it shall not be necessary to comply with sub-rule (1), if in the opinion of the Court and the Judge Attorney (if any) it is unnecessary to do so : Provided that if any witness so demands, sub-rule (1) shall be com- plied with. 87. Calling or recalling witnesses by the Court :- (1) (a) The Court may, at any time, before it closes to deliberate on its finding of if there is a Judge-Attorney before he begins to sum up, call a witness or recall a witness, if in the opinion of the Court it is in the interest of justic to do so. (b) Where the Court calls a witness or recalls a witness under this rule the prosecutor and the accused may put such questions to the witness as seem proper to the Court. (2) The prosecutor and the accused may, at any time before he closes to deliberate on its finding or if there is a Judge-Attorney before he begins to sum up, recall a witness by leave of the Court and the prosecture and the accused may put such questions to the witness as seem proper to the Court. 88. Submission of no case to answer and stopping of cases :- (1) (a) At the close of the case for the prosecution the accused may submit to the Court in respect of any charge that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case for him to answer and that he should not be called upon to make his defence to that charge. (b) Where the accused make such submission that prosecutor may address the Court in answer thereto and the accused may reply to the pro- secutor's address. (2) The Court shall not allow the submission unless it is satisfied that- (a) the prosecution has not established- a prima facie case on the charge as laid ; and (b) it is not open to it on the evidence to make a special finding under either Section 90 or sub-rule (4) of Rule 95. (3) (a) Where the Court allows the submission, it shall find the accused not guilty of the charge to which it relates and subject to confirmation the finding shall forthwith be announced in open Court. (b) Where the Court disallows the submission it shall proceed with the trial of the offence as charged. (4) The Court may, of its own motion, after the close of the hearing of the case for the prosecution, and after hearing the prosecutor find the accused not guilty of the charge and subject to confirmation the finding shall forthwith be annouced in open Court. 89. Case for the defence :- (1) After the close of the case for the pro- secution, the presiding officer or the Judge-Attorney (if any) shall explain to accused that: (a) if he wishes, he may give evidence on oath as a witness or make a statement without being sworn but that he is not obliged to do either. (b) if he gives evidence on oath, he shall be liable to be cross- examined by the prosecutor and to be questioned by the Court. (2) For the purpose of enabling the accused to explain any circums- tances appearing in the evidence against him, the Court may, at any stage of the trial, without previously warning the accused, put such questions to him as the Court considers necessary, and shall, for the purpose aforesaid, question him generally on the case after the witnesses for the prosecution nave been examined and before he is called on for his defence. (3) The accused shall not render himself liable to punishment by refus- ing to answer such questions, or by giving false answers to them. (4) The answers given by the accused may be taken into consideration in such trial and put in evidence, for or against him in any other inquiry into or trial for, any other offence which such answers may tend to show he has committed. (5) If the accused intends to call a witness to the facts of the case other than himself, he may make an opening address outlining the case for the defence before the evidence for the defence is given. 90. Witnesses for defence :- (1) After Rule 89 has been complied with, the witnesses for the defence (if any) shall be called to give their evidence. (2) The provisions of rule 84, rule 85 and rule 86 shall apply to the witnesses for the defence as they apply to the evidence of witnesses for the pro- secution. 91. Witnesses in reply :- After the witnesses for the defence have given their evidence, the prosecutor may, by leave of the Court, call a witness or recall a witness to give evidence on any matter raised by the accused in his defence which the prosecution could not properly have mentioned to the Court before the accused disclosed his defence or which the prosecution could not reasonably have foreseen. 92. Closing address :- (1) After all the evidence has been given the pro- secutor and the accused may each make a closing address to the Court. (2) The accused shall be entitled to make his closing address after the closing address by the prosecutor unless the accused has called a witness to facts other than himself, in which case the prosecutor shall be entitled, sub- ject to sub-rules (3) and (4) to make his closing address after the accused has made the closing address. (3) Where two or more accused are tried jointly, any one of them who has called no such witness shall be entitled to make his closing address after the prosecutor has made the closing address. (4) (a) Where two or more accused are represented by the same defen- ding officer or counsel he may make one closing address only. (b) Where any one of the accused for whom he appears has called no witness to facts other than himself such defending officer or counsel shall be entitled to make his closing address after the prosecutor has made the closing address. 93. Summing up by Jadge-Attorney :- After the closing addresses, if there is a Judge-Attorney, he shall sum up the evidence and advise the Court on the law relating to the case in open Court. 94. Deliberation on finding :- (1) The Court shall deliberate on its fin- ding in closed Court in the presence of the Judge-Attorney. (2) The opinion of each member of the Court as to the finding shall be given by word of mouth on each charge separately starting with the junior most in rank. 95. Record and announcement of finding :- (1) The finding on every charge upon which the accused is arraigned shall be recorded and except as provided in these rules, shall be recorded simply as a finding of "Guilty" or of "Not Guilty". (2) Where the Court is of opinion as regards any charge that the facts proved do not disclose the offence charged or any offence of which he might under the Act legally be found guilty on the charge as laid, the Court shall acquit the accused of that charge. (3) If the Court has doubts as regards any charge whether the facts pro- ved show the accused to be guilty on the charge as laid, it may, before recor- ding a finding on that charge, refer to the confirming authority for an opin- ion, setting out the facts which it finds to be proved and may, if necessary, adjourn for that purpose. (4) Where the Court is of opinion as regards any charge that the facts which it finds to be proved in evidence differ materially from the facts alleged in the statement of particulars in the charge but are nevertheless sufficient to prove the offence stated in the charge, and that the difference is not so mate- rial as to have prejudiced the accused in his defence, it may, instead of a find- ing of "Not Guilty" record a special finding. (5) The special finding may find the accused guilty on a charge- subject to the statement of exceptions, or variations specified therein. (6) Where there are alternative charges, and the facts proved appear to the Court not to constitute the offence mentioned in any of those alternative charges, the Court shall record a finding of "Not Guilty" on that charge. (7) The Court shall not find the accused guilty on more than one of two or more charges laid in the alternative, even if conviction upon one charge necessarily connotes guilty upon the alternative charge or charges. (8) If the Court thinks that the facts proved constitute one of the offences stated in two or more of the alternative charges, but doubts which of those offences the facts do at law constitute, it may, before recording a find- ing on these charges, refer to the conforming authority for an opinion, setting out the facts which it finds to be proved and stating that it doubts whether those facts constitute in law the offence stated in such one or other of the charges and may, if necessary, adjourn for that purpose. (9) The finding on each charge shall be announced forthwith in open Court as subject to confirmation. 96. Procedure on acquittal :- If the finding on all the charges is "Not Guilty" the presiding officer shall affix his signature and date on the finding and such signature shall authenticate the whole of the proceedings, and the proceedings upon being seized Judge-Attorney (if any) shall be at once trans- mitted for confirmation. 97. Procedure on conviction :- (1) If the finding on any charge is "Not Guilty" then, for the guidance of the Court in determining its sentence, and of the confirming authority in considering the sentence, the Court, before deliberating on the sentence, shall, whenever possible, take evidence of and record the general character, age, service, rank. any recognised acts of gallan- try or distinguished conduct of the accused any previous convictions of the accused either by Security. Guard Court or a Criminal Court, any previous punishment awarded to him by an Officer exercising authority under Sec- tions 51, 53 or 54, as the case may be, the length of time he has been in arrest or in confinement on any previous sentence, and any decoration, or reward of which he may be in possession or to which he is entitled. (2) Evidence of the above matter may be given by a witness verifying a statement which contains a summary of the entries in the service books res- pecting the accused and identifying the accused as the person referred to in that summary. (3) The accused may cross-examine any such witness and may call wit- nesses .to rebut such evidence and if the accused so requests, the service books or a duly certified copy of the material entries therein, shall be produced and if the accused alleges that the summary is in any respect not in accordance with the service books or such certified copy, as the case may be the Court shall compare the summary with those books or copy and if it finds that it is not i n accordance therewith, shall cause summary to be corrected or the ob- jections of the accused to be recorded. (4) When all the evidence on the above matter has been given, the ac- cused may address the Court thereon and in mitigation of punishment. 98. Sentence :- The Court shall award a single sentence in respect of all the offences of which the accused is found guilty and such sentence shall be deemed to be awarded in respect of which it can be legally given and not to be awarded in respect of which it can not be legally given. 99. Recommendation for mercy :- (1) Where the Court makes a recom- mendation to mercy it shall give its reasons for such recommendation. (2) The number of the members of the Court making recommendation to mercy mentioned in this rule or any question relating thereto, may be entered in the proceedings. 100. Announcement of sentence and signing and transmission of pro- ceedings :- (1) The sentence together with any recommendation to mercy and the reasons for any such recommendation shall be announced forthwith in open Court. The sentence will be announced as subject to confirmation. (2) Upon the Court awarding the sentence, the presiding officer shall affix his signature and date to the sentence and such signatures shall authen- ticate the whole of the proceedings and the proceedings upon being signed by the Judge-Attorney (if any), shall at once be transmitted for confirmation. 101. Revision :- (1) (a) Where the finding is sent back for revision under Section 109 , the Court shall re-assemble in open Court, the revision order shall be read and if the Court is directed to take fresh evidence such evidence shall be taken in open Court. (b) Where such fresh evidence is recorded otherwise than at the instance of the accused, the accused shall be given a further opportunity to lead evidence in respect of matters brought out in such fresh evidence. (c) The prosecutor and the accused shall be given a further opportunity to address the Court in respect of the fresh evidence led. (d) The Judge-Attorney may also give a further summing up. (2) Where the revision of finding does not involve taking of fresh evidence the accused shall be given an opportunity to address the Court in respect of matter raised in the revision order. (3) (a) The Court shall then deliberate on its finding, in closed Court and if the Court does, not adhere to its former finding it shall revoke the finding and sentence and record a new finding and if such new finding involves a sentence, pass the sentence,afresh. (b) Where the original finding was one of "Not Guilty", the Court shall, before passing sentence, comply with rule 97 and rule 98. (4) (a) Where the sentence alone is sent back for revision, the revision order shall be read in open Court and the accused given an opportunity to address the Court in regard to matters referred to in the revision order. (b) The Court shall then reconsider its sentence in closed Court and if it does not adhere to the sentence, revoke the sentence and pass the sentence afresh. (5) Where the sentence alone is sent for revision the Court shall not revise the finding. 102. Confirmation and promulgation :- (1) When a confirming authority receives the record of the proceedings of a Court, it shall record its decision thereon and on any sentence and any order which the Court may hiave made under Section 102 on the record of the proceedings in the appropriate form set out in Appendix VII and such record of his decision shall form part of the record of the proceedings. (2) When a Court has accepted a plea of guilty made under Rule 57 the confirming authority may confirm its finding notwithstanding that the Court has accepted the plea without the concurrence of the convening officer, if, to the opinion of the confirming authority it is in the interests of justice to do so. (3) (a) When a Court has rejected a plea to the jurisdiction of the Court or a plea in bar of trial or has overruled an objection to a charge; it shall not be necessary for the confirming authority to approve speci- fically the decision of the Court, but its approval shall be implied from its confirming the finding on the charge to which the plea or objection relates. (b) Where it disapproves the decision of the Court to reject the plea or to over-rule the objection it shall withhold confirmation of the finding on the charge to which the plea or objection relates. (4) A confirming authority may state its reasons for withholding con- firmation in any case but if it withholds confirmation where a Court has rejected a plea to the jurisdietion or plea in bar of trial or has overruled an objection to the charges because it disapproves this decision of the Court it shall, when recording its decision under sub-rule (1) state that it has, withheld confirmation for this reason. (5) Where the sentence of a Court is improperly expressed, the confirm- ing authority may, in confirming the sentence vary the form thereof so that it shall be properly expressed. (6) Whenever it appears that there is sufficient evidence on a plea of guilty under either sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) of Rule 75 to justify the finding of the Court, such finding and any lawful sentence consequent thereon may be confirmed, and if confirmed, shall be valid, notwithstanding any deviation from these rules, if the accused has not been prejudiced by such deviation. (7) While confirming the finding, the confirming authority may either unconditionally or subject to conditions which the accused accepts reduce or remit a portion of the sentence or commute the punishment to one given lower in the scale of punishment in Section 47 . (8) (a) When a confirming authority has confirmed a finding and a sentence of a Court or has withheld confirmation thereof, it shall send the record of the proceedings to the Commander of the accused for promulga- tion to the accused of the finding and sentence or the fact that confirmation has been withheld as the case may be. (b) The fact of promulgation shall be recorded on the record of the proceedings in the form set out in Appendix VIII. (c) Where confirmation has been withheld because the confirming authority disapproves the Court's decision to reject a plea to the jurisdiction of a plea in bar of trial or to over rule an objection to the charge, the accused shall be so informed. CHAPTER 10 Procedure of Security Guard Courts and Incidental Matters. 103. Seating of members :- The members of a Court shall take their seats according to their rank. 104. Responsibility of Presiding Officer :- (1) The presiding officer is responsible for the trial being conducted in proper order, and in accordance with the Act, rules made thereunder and in a manner befitting a court of justice. (2) It is the duty of the presiding officer to see that the accused has a fair trial, and that he does not suffer any disadvantage in consequence of bis position as a person under trial, or of his ignorance, or of his incapacity to examine or cross-examine witnesses, or otherwise. 105. Power of Court over address of prosecutor and accused :- (1) It is the duty of the prosecutor to assist the Court in the administration of justice, to behave impartially, to bring the whole of the transaction before the Court and not to take any unfair advantage of, or suppress any evidence in favour of the accused. (2) The prosecutor may not refer to any matter not relevant to the charge or charges, then before the Court, and it is the duty of the Court to stop him from so doing and also to restrain any undue voilence of lan- guage or want of fairness or moderation on the part of the prosecutor. (3) The Court shall give reasonable facilities to the accused in making his defence, the accused must abstain from any remarks contemptuos or disrespectful towards the court, and from coarse and insulting language towards others, but he may, for the purpose o f his defence, impeach the evidence and charge other persons with blame and even criminality, subject to, if he does so, any liability which he may thereby incur. The court may caution the accused as to the irrelevance of his defence, but shall not, unless in special cases, stop his defence solely on ground of such irrelevance. 106. Sitting in closed Court :- (1) A court shall, where it is so directed by these rules and may in other case on any deliberation amongst the members, sit in closed court. (2) No person shall be present in closed court except the members of the court, the Judge-Attorney (if any) and any officer under instruction. (3) For the purpose of giving effect to the foregoing provisions of this rule, a court may either retire or cause the place where it sits to be cleared of all other persons not entitled to be present (4) Except as mentioned in sub-rules (1), (2) and (3) of this rule all proceedings, including the view of any place, shall be in open court and in the presence of the accused subject to sub-rule (5). (5) The Court shall have the power to exclude from the Court any witness who has yet to give evidence or any other person, other than the accused, who interferes with its proceedings. 107. Continuity of trial and adjournment of Court :- (1) When the court is once assembled and the accused has been arranged, the court shall continue the trial from day to day in accordance with these rules unless it appears to the court that an adjournment is necessary for the ends of justice or that such continuance is impracticable. (2) (a) A Court may, from time to time adjourn its proceedings and meet at such a place as may be convenient, and (b) Wherever necessary, visit the scene of occurrence. (3) The senior officer on the spot may also for exigencies of service adjourn or prolong the adjournment of the court. (4) A court in the absence of a Judge-Attorney (if one has been appointed for that court) shall not proceed, and shall adjourn. (5) If the time to which an adjournment is made is not specified, the adjournment shall be until further orders from the proper Security Guard Authority; and, if the place to which an adjournment is made is not speci- fied, the adjournment shall be to the same place or to such other place as may be specified in further orders from the proper Security Guard autho- rity : 108. Suspension of trial :- Where in consequence of anything arising while the court is sitting, the court is unable by reason of dissolution as specified in Section 68 or otherwise, to continue the trial, the presiding officer or. in his absence the senior member present, shall immediately report the facts to the convening authority. 109. Proceedings on death or illness of accused :- In case of the death of the accused or of such illness of the accused as renders it impossible to continue the trial, the Court shall ascertain the fact of the death or illness by evidence and record the same and adjourn and transmit the proceedings to the convening authority. 110. Death, retirement or absence of presiding officer :- In the case of the death, retirement on challenge or unavoidable absence of the presiding officer, the next senior officer shall take the place of the presiding officer and the trial shall proceed if the court is still composed of not less than the minimum number of officers of which it is required by law to consist. 111. Presence throughout of all members of Court :- (1) A member of a court who has been absent while any part of the evidence on the trial of an accused person is taken, shall take no further part in the trial by that court of that person, but the court will not be affected unless it is reduced below the legal minimum. (2) An officer shall not be added to a court after the accused has been arraigned. 112. Taking of opinions of members of court :- (1) Every member of a court must give his opinion by word of mouth on every question which the court has to decide, and must give his opinion as to the sentence notwith- standing that he has given his opinion in favour of acquittal. (2) The opinions of the members of the Court shall be taken in suc- cession, beginning with the member lowest in rank. 113. Procedure on incidental questions :- If any objection is raised on any matter of law, evidence, or procedure, by the prosecutor or by or on behalf of the accused during the trial, the prosecutor or the accused or counsel or the defending officer (as the case may be) shall have a right to answer the same and the person raising the objection shall have a right to reply. 114. Evidence when to be translated :- When any evidence is given in a language, which any of the officer composing the court, the accused or the Judge-Attorney does not understand, it shall be translated into a lan- guage which he understands. 115. Record in Proceedings of transactions of a Security Guard Court :- (1) At a court, the Judge Attorney or, if there is none, the presiding officer shall record or cause to be recorded all transactions of the court, and shall be responsible for the accuracy of the record (in these rules referred to as the proceedings); and if the Judge- Attorney is called as a witness by the accused, the presiding officer shall be responsible for the accuracy of the record in the proceedings, of the evidence of the Judge-Attorney. (2) The evidence shall be taken down in a narrative form in as nearly as possible the words used, but in any case where the prosecutor, the accused the Judge-Attorney or the court considers it material, the question and answer shall be taken down verbatim. (3) Where an objection has been taken to any question or to the admission of any evidence or to the procedure of the court, such objection shall, if the prosecutor or accused so requests or the court thinks fit, be entered upon the proceedings together with the grounds of the objection and the decision of the court thereon. (4) Where any address by, or on behalf of the prosecutor or the accused, is not in writing, it shall not be necessary to record the same in the proceedings further or otherwise than the court thinks proper, except that; (a) the court shall, in every case, make such record of the defence, made by the accused as will enable the confirming officer to judge of the reply made by, or on behalf of, the accused to each charge against him, and (b) the Court shall also record any particular matters in the address by or on behalf of, the prosecutor or the accused which the prosecutor or the accused, as the case may be, may require. (5) The court shall not enter in the proceedings any comment or anything not before the court, or any report of any fact not forming part of the trial, but if any such comment or report seems to the Court necessary, the court may forward it to the proper authority in a separate document, signed by the presiding officer. 116. Custody and inspection of proceedings :- The proceedings shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Judge-Attorney (if any), or, if there is none, of the presiding officer but may with proper precaution for their safety, beinspected by the members of the court, the prosecutor and accused, at all reasonable times before the court is closed to consider the findings. 117. Review of General/Petty Security Guard Court proceedings :- The proceedings of a General and Petty Security Guard Court shall be sent by the person having the custody thereof the Judge- Attorney-General for review, who shall then forward the same to the confirming authority. 118. Defending Officer, friend of accused and counsel :- (1) At any General or Petty Security Guard Court an accused person may be represented by a counsel or by any officer subject to the Act who shall be called "the defending officer" or assisted by any person whose services, he may be able to procure and who shall be called "the friend of the accused". (2) The defending officer shall have the same rights and duties as appertain to a counsel under these rules and shall be under the like obliga- tions. (3) The friend of the accused may advise the accused on all points and suggest the question to be put to the witnesses, but he shall not examine or cross-examine the witnesses or address the court. 119. Requirement or appearance of counsel :- (1)An accused person intending to be represented by a counsel shall give to his Commander or to the convening officer the earliest practicable notice of such intention, and, if no sufficient notice has been given the court may, if it thinks fit, on the application of the prosecutor, adiourn to enable him to obtain a counsel on behalf of the prosecutor at the trial. (2) Where the convening officer so directs, counsel may appear along- with the prosecutor, but in that case, unless the notice referred to in sub- ruled) has been given by the accused, notice of the direction for counsel to appear shall be given to the accused at such time (not in any case less than seven days) before the trial as would, in the opinion of the court have enable the accused to obtain counsel to assist him at the trial. (3) The counsel, who appears before a court on behalf of the prosecu- tor or accused, shall have the same rights as the prosecutor or accused for whom he appears to call, and orally examine, cross-examine, and re-examine witnesses, to put in any plea and to inspect the proceedings and shall have the right otherwise to act in the coune of the trial in place of the person on whose behalf he appears, and he shall comply with these rules as if he were that person and in such a case that person shall have no right himself to do any of the aforesaid matters except as regards the statement allowed by sub-rule (2) of rule 90 and sub-rule (4) of rule 97 or except so far as the court permits him so to do. (4) When counsel appears on behalf of the prosecutor, the prosecutor if called as witness, may be examined as any other witness. 120. Disqualification of Judge-Attorney :- An officer who is disqualified for sitting on a court, shall be disqualified for acting as a Judge-Attorney at that court. 121. Substituting on death, illness, or absence of Judge- Attorney :- I f the Judge-Attorney dies, or from illness or from any cause whatever is unable to attend, the court shall adjourn, and the presiding officer shall report the circumstances to the Convening Officer : and a fit person may be appointed by that officer who shall be sworn or affirmed, and act as Judge- Attorney for the residue of the trial, or until tbc Judge-Attorney returns. 122. Power and duties of Judge-Attorney :- (1) Where a Judge-Attorney has been named to act on the court, he shall,- (a) give his opinion on any question of law relating to the charge or trial whenever so required by the court, prosecutor or the accused: (b) inform the court of any irregularity or other infirmity in the proceedings: (c) inform the convening officer and the court of any infirmity or defect in the charge or in the constitution of the court ; (d) sum up the evidence and give his opinion on any question of law, before the court proceeds to deliberate upon its findings. (2) It shall be the duty of the Judge-Attorney to ensure that the accused does not suffer any disadvantage in consequence of his position as such, or because of ignorance or incapacity to examine or cross-examine witnesses and for this purpose the Judge-Attorney may, with the permission of the court, call witness and put questions to them which appear to him to be necessary or desirable (3) In the discharge of his duties, the Judge-Attorney shall maintain, ko attitude of itrict impartiality. (4) Where any opinion has been given by the Judge-Attorney to the court on any matter before it, it maybe entered in the proceedings, if the Judge-Attorney or the court desires it to be entered. (5) The Judge-Attorney shall represent the Judge-Attorney-General at a Security Guard Court. 123. Finding of insanity :- Where the court finds either that the accused, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of making his defence, or that he committed the act alleged but was, by reason of unsound- ness of mind, incapable of knowing the nature of the actor that it was wrong or contrary to law, the presiding officer or in the case of Summary Security Guard Court, the officer holding the trial, shall affix his signature and the date on the finding which shall also be signed by the Judge-Attorney and thereupon the proceedins shall, at once, be transmitted to the confirming authority or in the case of Summary Security Guard Court to the Deputy Inspector-General empowered to countersign them. 124. Preservation of proceedings :- The proceedings of every court shall, afterpromulgation, be forwarded to the office of the Judge-Attorney- General and be preserved there for not less than three years or until the sentence awarded by the court has expired whichever is later. 125. Right of person tried to copies of proceedings :- Every person tried by a Security Guard Court shall be entitled to obtain, on demand, at any time after the confirmation of the finding and sentence, when such confirmation is required and before the proceedings are destroyed, from the Judge-Attorney- General a copy thereof, including the proceedings upon revision, if any. 126. Copy of proceedings not to be given in certain cases :- Notwith- standing anything contained in Rule 125 if the Central Government is satisfied for reasons to be recorded that it is against the interest of the Security of the State or friendly relations with foreign States to supply a copy of the proceedings or any part thereof under the said rule, he shall not be furnished with such a copy : Provided that if the Central Government is satisfied that the person demanding the copy is desirous of submitting a petition in accordance with the Act or instituting any action in a court of law in relation to the finding or sentence, it shall permit inspection of the proceedings by such a person, or his legal advisor, if any, on the following conditions, namely :- (a) the inspection shall be made at such times and such places as the Central Government or any authority authorised by it may direct; and (b) the person allowed to inspect the proceedings shall, before such inspection, furnish,- (i) an undertaking, in writing, that he shall not make copies of the proceedings or any part thereof and that the information or documents contained in such proceedings shall not be used by him, for any purpose whatsoever, other than for the purpose of submitting a petition in accordance with the Act or instituting an action in a court of law in relation to the said finding or sentence ; and (ii) a certificate that he is aware that he may render himself liable to prosecution under Sections 3 and S.5 of the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923 if he commits any act specified in the said sections in relation to the documents or information contained in the said proceedings. 127. Loss of proceedings :- (1) If, before confirmation, the original proceedings of a court which require confirmation or any part thereof, are lost, a copy thereof, if any, certified by the presiding officer of the Judge- Attorney at the court may be accepted in lieu of the original. (2) If there is no such copy, and sufficient evidence of the charge, finding, sentence, and transactions of the court can be procured, that evidence may, with the assent of the accused, be accepted in lieu of the original proceedings, or part which have been lost. (3) In any case mentioned in sub-rules (1) and (2) of this rule the finding and sentence may be confirmed, and shall be valid as if the original proceedings or part thereof had not been lost. (4) If the accused refuses the assent referred to in sub-rule (2), he may be tried again, and the finding and sentence of the previous court of which the proceeding have been lost shall be void. (5) If, after confirmation or in any case where confirmation is not required, the original proceedings or any part thereof are lost. and there is sufficient evidence of the charge, finding, sentence, and transactions of the court and of the confirmation (if required) of the finding and sentence, that evidence shall be a valid and sufficient record of the trial for all purposes. 128. Offences by witnesses and others :- When a court is of opinion that there is ground for inquiring into any offence specified in section 36 and rule 37 and committed before it or brought to its notice in the course of its proceedings, which would, if done by a person subject to the Act, have constituted such an offence, such court may proceed as follows, that is to say :- (a) If the person who appears to have committed the offence is subject to the Act, the court may bring his conduct to the notice of his commander: (b) if the person who appears to have done the act is amenable to a Law relating to any Armed Force, the court may bring his conduct to the notice of the proper Force authority, as the case may be; (c) in other cases the officer who summoned the witness to appear or the presiding officer or officer holding the court, as the case may be, may forward a written complaint to the nearest Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction, and in the case of acts which would, if done by a person subject to this Act, have constituted an offence under clause (c) of Section 36 or Section 37 , the court, after making any preliminary inquiry that may be necessary may send the case to the nearest Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction for inquiry or trial in accordance with S.340 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. CHAPTER 11 Summary Security Guard Courts 129. Proceedings :- (1) The officer holding the trial (hereinafter in this Chapter called the court) shall record, or cause to be recorded the transac- actions of every Summary Security Guard Court. (2) The court may appoint a shorthand-writer to record the proceedings of the court. Such shorthand-writer shall l"e duly sworn or affirmed as per the form given in Rule 65 130. Evidence when to be translated :- (1) When any evidence is given in a language which the court or accused, as the case may be. in a language which it or he does understand. (2) The court shall for this purpose either appoint an interpreter, or shall itself take the oath or affirmation prescribed for the interpreter at a Summary Security Guard Court. (3) When documents are produced for the purpose of formal proof, it shall be in the discretion of the court to cause as much to be interpreted as appears necessary. 131. Assembly :- When the court, the interpreter (if any) and the offi- cers and subordinate officers attending the trial are assembled, the accused shall be brought befor the court and the oath or affirmation prescribed in Rule 132 shall be taken by the persons therein mentioned. 132. Swearing or affirming of court and interpreter :- (1) The court shall take oath or affirmation in any one of the following form* or in such other form to the same purport which would according to the religion or otherwise be binding on the conscience of the officer constituting the court. Form of Oath "I...............swear by Almighty God that I will duly administer justice. according to the National Security Guard Act, 1986 without partially, favour or affection". Form of Affirmation "I.................................... do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will duly administer justice, according to the provisions of National Security Guard Act, 1986 without partiality, favour or affection". (2) The Court, or any other person empowered by it in this behalf shall adrilinister to the interpreter (if any) an oath or affirmation in any of the following forms, or in such other form to the same purport as the court ascertains to be according to the religion or otherwise binding on the conscience of the person who is to act as interpreter. Form of Oath "I..............................swear by Almighty God that I will faithfully interpret and translate, as I will be required to do, touching the matter be- fore this court". Form of Affirmation "I........... ............do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully interpret and translate as I shall b6 retjluired to do tod- chiog tho mutter before this court." (3) The witnesses shall, after the administration of the oath and the affirmation, withdraw from the court. 133. Swearing of court to several accused persons :- (1) A Summary Security Guard Court may be sworn or affirmed at the same time to try any number of accused persons then present before it whether those persons are to be tried collectively or separately. (2) In the case of several accused persons to be tried separately, the court, when sworn or affirmed shall proceed with one case postponing the other cases and taking them afterwards in succeision. (3) Where several accused persons are tried separately upon charges arising out of the transaction, the court may. if it considers it to be desirable in the interests of justice, postpone consideration of any sentence to be awarded to any one or more such accused persons until the trials of all such accused persons have been completed. 134. Arraignment of accused :- (1) After the court and interpreter (if any) are sworn or affirmed as above mentioned, the accused shall be arraigned on the charges against him. (2) The charges on which the accused is arraigned shall be read and, if necessary, translated to him, and explained and he shall be required to plead separately to each charge. 135. Objection by accnscd to charge :- The accused, when required to plead to any charge, may object to the charge on the ground that it does not disclose an offence under the Act, or is not in accordance with these rules. 136. Amendment of charge :- (1) At any time during the trial if it appears to the court that there is mistake in the name or description of the accused in the charge- sheet, it shall amend the charge-sheet so as to correct that mistake. (2) If on the trial of t charge it appears to the court at any time before it has begun to examine the witnesses, that in the interests of justice any addition to, omission from, or alteration in, the charge is required, it may amend such charge and may, after due notice to the accused, and with the sanction of the officer empowered to convene a Petty Security Guard Court for the trial of the accused if the amended charge requires such sanction, proceed with the trial on such amended charge. 137. Special pleas :- If a special plea to the general jurisdiction of the court, or a plea in bar of trial is offered by the accused the procedure laid down in Chapter IX for disposing of such plea shall, so far as may be applicable be followed. 138. General plea of "Guilty" or "Not Guilty" :- (l) The accused person's plea of "Guilty" or "Not Guilty" (or if he refuses to plead or does not plead intelligibiliy either one or the other, a plea of "Not Guilty") shall be recorded on each charge. (2) If an accused person pleads "Guilty", that plea shall be recorded as the finding of the court ; put before it is recorded, the court shall ascer- tain that the accused understands the nature of the charge to which he has pleaded guilty and shall inform him of the general effect of that plea. and in particular of the meaning of the charge to which he has pleaded guilty, and of the difference in procedure which will be made by the plea of guilty, and shall advise him to withdraw that plea if it appears from the record or abstract of evidence (if any) or otherwise that the accused ought to plead not guilty. (3) Where an accused person pleads guilty to the first two or more charges laid in the alternative, the court may after sub-rule (2) has been complied with and before the accused is arraigned on the alternative charge or charges, withdraw such alternative charge or charges as follow the charge to which the accused has pleaded guilty without requiring the accused to plead thereto, and a record to that effect shall be made in the proceedingi of the court. 139. Procedure after plea of "Guilty" :- (1) Upon the record of the plea of "Guilty", if there are other charges in the same charge-sheet to which the plea is '"Not Guilty", the trial shall first proceed with respect to those other charges, and. after the finding on those charges, shall proceed with the charges on which a plea of "Guilty" has been entered ; but if there are alternative charges, the court may either proceed with respect to all the charges as if the accused had not pleaded "Guilty" to any charge, or may, instead of trying him, record a finding of "Guilty" upon any one of the alternative charges to which he had pleaded "Guilty" and finding of "Not Guilty" upon all the other alternative charges which precede such charge. (2) (a) After the record of the plea of 'Guilty' on a charge (if the trial does not proceed on any other charges) the court shall read the record or abstract of evidence and annex it to the proceedings or if there is no such record, or abstract shall take and record sufficient evidence to enable it to determine the sentence, and the reviewing officer to know all the circum- stances connected with the offence. (b) The evidence shall be taken in like manner as is directed by thege rules in the case of a plea of "Not Guilty". (3) The accused may, after such evidence has been taken or as, the case may be, the record or abstract of evidence has been read, address the court with reference to the charge and in mitigation of punishment and may call witnesses as to his character. (4) (a) If from the statement of the accused or from the record of evidence, or otherwise, it appears to the court that the accused did not understand the effect of his plea of "Guilty", the court shall alter the record and eater a plea of "Not Guilty", and proceed with the trial accordingly. (b) Any alternative charges withdrawn under sub-rule (1) shall be reinstated in the charge-sheet and the trial shall take place as if they had never been withdrawn. (5) If a plea of "Guilty" is recorded on some charges and the trial proceeds with respect to other charges in the same charge-sheet to proceed- ings under sub-rules (2) and (3) shall take place after the findings on the other charges in the same charge sheet are recorded. (6) When the accused slates anything in mitigation of punishment which in the opinion of the court requires to be proved, and would, if proved, affect the amount of punishment, the court may permit the accused to call witnesses to prove the same. 140. Withdrawal of plea of "Not Guilty" :- The accused may, if he thinks fit at any time during the trial, withdraw his plea of "Not Guilty" and plead "Guilty" and in such case the court shall at once, subject to compliance with sub-rule (2) of Rule 138 record a plea and finding of "Guilty"iand shall, so far as if necessary, proceed in manner directed by Rule 139. 141. Procedure after plea of "Not Guilty" :- (1) After the plea of "Not Guilty" to any charge, is recorded, the evidence for the prosecution will be taken. (2) At the close of the evinence for the prosecution the accused shall be asked if he has anything to say in his defence, or may defer such address until he has called his witnesses. (3) The accused may then call his witnesses, including also witnesses to character 142. Witnesses in reply to defence :- The court may, if it thinks it necessary in the interests of Justice, call witnesses in reply to the defence. 143. Evidence of witnesses :- The provisions of rule 85, rule 86 and rule 87 shall so far as may be, apply to the evidence of witnesses at a Summary Security Guard Court as they apply to the evidence of witnesses at a General or Petty Security Guard Court. 144. Record and innoancement of finding :- (1) The court shall after the evidence for prosecution and defence has been heard, record its findings. (2) The finding on every charge upon which the accused is arraigned shall be recorded and except as mentioned in those rules shall be recorded simply as a finding of "Guilty" or of "Not Guilty". (3) When the court is of opinion as regards any charge that the facts proved do not disclose the offence charged or any offence of which he might under the Act legally be found guilty on the charge as laid, the court shall find the accused "Not Guilty" of that charge. (4) When the court is of opinion as regards any charge that the facts found to be proved in evidence differ materially from the facts alleged in the statement of particulars in the charge, but are nevertheless sufficient to prove the offence stated in the charge, and that the difference is not so material as to have prejudiced the accused in his def'nce, it may, instead of a finding of "Not Guilty" record a special finding. (5) The special finding may find the accused guilty on a charge subject to the statement of exceptions or variations specified therein. (6) The court shall not find the accused guilty on more than one or two or more charges laid in the alternative, even if conviction upon one charge necessarily connotes guilt upon the alternative charge or charges. 145. Procedure on acquittal :- Where the finding on each of the charges in a charge-sheet is "Not Guilty", the court shall affix its signat re and date to the psoceedings. the findings will be announced in open court, and the accused will be released if under arrest, in respect of these charges. 146. Procedure on finding of "Guilty" :- (1) Where the finding on any charge is "Guilty", the court may record of its own knowledge, or take evidence of any record, the general character, age, service, rank, and any recognised acts of gallantry, or distinguished conduct of the accused, and previous convictions of the accused either by a Security Guard Court or a Criminal Court, any previous punishment awarded to him by an officer exercising authority under Section 51 , the length of time he has been in arrest or in confinement on any previous sentence, and any decoration, or reward, of which he may be in possession or to which he may be entitled. (2) Where the court does not record the matters mentioned in this rule of its own knowledge, evidence on these matters may be taken in the manner directed in Rule 97 for similar evidence. 147. Sentence :- The court shall award one sentence in respect of all the offences of which the accused is found guilty. 148. Signing of proceedings :- The court shall affix its signature and the date to the sentence and such lignature shall authenticate the whole of the proceedings. 149. Charges-Differet charge-sheets :- (1) When the charges at a trial by Summary Security Guard Court are contained in different charge-sheets, ihe accused shall be tried on each charge-sheet separately upto and including the stage of finding. (2) The court shall, thereafter, comply with Rule 145 or rule 146 as the case may be. 150. Clearing the Court :- (1) The officer holding the trial may clear the court to consider the evidence or to consult with the officers, and Assis- tant Commander attending the trial. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1) all the proceedings includ- ing the view of any place, shall be in open court, and in the presence of the accused. 151. Adjonrnment :- A court may,- (a) from time to time adjourn its proceedings and meet at such place as may be convenient ; and (b) whenever necesiary visit the scene of occurrence. 152. Friend of the accused :- During a trial at a Summary Security Guard Court an accused may take the assistance of any person, including a legal practitioner as may consider necessary : Provided that such person shall not examine or cross-examine witnesses or address the court. 153. Memorandum to be attached to proceedings :- Where a Summary Security Guard Court tries an offence which shall not ordinarily be tried without reference to an authority mentioned in sub-section (2) of Section 71 , an explanatory memorandum shall be attached to the proceedings. 154. Promulgation :- The sentence of a Summary Security Guard Court shall be promulgated in the manner usual in the service, at the earliest opportunity after it has been pronounced and shall subject to the provisions of the Act as carried out without delay after promulgation. 155. Review of proceedings :- The proceedings of a Summary Security Guard Court shall, immediately on promulgation be forwarded through the Judge Attorney-General, or an officer nominated by him for the purpose to the Deputy Inspector-General under whom the accused may be serving. 156. Action by the Deputy Inspetor-General :- (1) Where the Deputy Inspector-General to whom the proceedings of a Summary Security Guard Court have been forwarded under Rule 155, is satisfied that injustice has been done to the accused by reason of any grave irregularity in the proceed- ings or otherwise, he may,- (a) set aside the proceedings of the court ; Or (b) reduce the sentence or commute the punishment awarded to one lower in the scale of punishment given in Section 47 . (2) Where no action under sub-rule (1) has been taken he shall counter- sign the proceedings and return it to the unit of the accused for pro- mulgation. CHAPTER 12 Execution of Sentence 157. Direction about sentence of imprisonment :- (1) A confirming authority or in the case of a Summary Security Guard Court, the court, shall direct that the sentence of imprisonment shall be undergone by confine- ment either in a civil prison or in Security Guard custody. (2) Such direction may be varied by any superior officer. 158. Warrants :- (1) Warrants for committing a person to civil prison to undergo sentence of imprisonment or to get such person back into Security Guard Custody if so required or to order the release of such a person from civil prison or any variation done by any superior officer shall be in such form M may be appropriate to each case set out in Appendix IX. (2) Such warrants shall be signed by the Commander of the accused or by a staff officer on behalf of a Deputy Inspector- General, Inspector- General or the Director-General. 159. Warrant in case of sentence of death :- Where a person is sentenc- ed to death by hanging, a warrant in the form set out in Appendix X shall be sent by the Director- General to the Superintendent of the Prison where facilities for carrying out such a sentence exist, after the sentence has been confirmed by the Central Government and the accused hhall be committed to the same prison by his Commander on the appropriate warrant. 160. Changes in sentence :- Where any change is made in the sentence of a person already committed to a civil prison, such change shall be communicated to the Superintendent of the Prison to which such person has been committed by the Commander or such other person as is mentioned in Rule 158 on the form set out in Appendix XI. 161. Sentence of dismissal :- (1) Sentence of dismissal shall take effect from the date of promulgation of such sentence or from any subsequent date as may be specified at the time of promulgation. (2) A sentence of dismissal combined with imprisonment to be under- gone in a civil prison shall not take effect until such person has been com- mited to a civil prison. CHAPTER 13 Petitions 162. Petitions against finding and sentence of Court :- (1) A person subjeet to the Act who has been tried by a Court shall be allowed to put in one person before confirmation, to the confirming authority and one petition after confirmation to any officer mentioned in Section 113 . (2) In the case of a Summary Security Guard Court he shall be allowed to put in one petition only to any of the officers mentioned in Section 113 . 163. Period of Limitation :- (1)A petition, before confirmation, shall be submitted, within two weeks of the conclusion of trial. (2) A petition after confirmation shall be submitted within 3 months of the date on which the sentence was promulgated : Provided that the time taken by such person to obiain a copy of the proceedings shall be excluded in computing this period of 3 months. 164. Mode of submitting petitions :- (1) (a) A petition by a person who is still a member of the Security Guard shall be submitted through his Commander. (b) A petition by a person who has ceased to be a member of the Security Guard may be submitted to the Commander of the Unit in which the trial was held. (2) An officer to whom a petition is submitted or to whom a petition has been forwarded shall forward it to the next superior within a period of one week : Provided that an officer may nut forward a petition ^if he is competent to give the redress asked for and decides to do so. (3) An officer receiving a petition shall send it to the Judge Attoiney- General or to the officer approved by him for advice. CHAPTER 14 Courts of Inquiry 165. Composition :- (1) A Court of Inquiry may consist of one or more members. If only one member is appointed he shall be an officer. If more than one members are appointed, atleast one of them should be an officer. Persons not subject to the Act, may also be appointed as additional members when the court is to investigate matters ot such a spe- cialised nature as may require the assistance of specialised persons for proper investigation. (2) The member or members of a court of Inquiry ordered to be held into the conduct of an officer shall not be of a lower rank than the rank of such an officer. In case it is not possible to appoint all the members of the same or the higher rank, atleast the presiding officer of such a Court of Inquiry shall be of a higher rank than the officer whose conduct is under inquiry. 166. Assembly :- A Court of Inquiry may be assembled by order of a Commander not below ths rank of Group Commander or any officer or authority superior to him. 167. Assembly order :- The order assembling the Court of Inquiry shall state the composition of the court, the time and place for its assembly and clearly state the matters which the court will investigate. It will also provide for the administrative requirements of the court. 168. Procedure of Courts of Inquiry :- (1) The proceedings of a Court of Inquiry shall not be open to the public. Only such persons may attend the proceedings as are permitted by the court to do so. (2) The evidence of all witnesses shall be taken on oath of affirmation and signed by them after the same has been read over and explained to them. (3) Evidence given by witnesses shall be recorded in narrative form unless the court considers that any questions and answers may be recorded as such. (4) The court may take into consideration any documents even though they are not formally proved. (5) The court may ask witnesses any questions, in any form, that they consider necessary to elicit the truth and may take into consideration any evidence, whether the same is admissible under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872) or not. (6) No counsel, or legal practitioner shall be permitted to appear be- fore a Court of Inquiry. (7) Provisions of Section 96 shall apply for procuring the attendance of witnesses before the court of inquiry. Witnesses shall be summoned as per specimen given in Appendix XV. (8) (i) Where the subject-matter of inquiry is the conduct or character of a particular person, such person maybe associated throughout with the inquiry and be given full opportunity of making any statement or giving any evidence, he may wish to make or give, and of cross-examining any witness whose evidence, in his opinion, affects his character or reputation. (ii) In other cases before giving opinion against any person subject to the Act, the court shall afford that person an opportunity to know all that has been stated against him, cross-examine any witnesses who have given evidence against him, and make a statement and call witnesses in hil defence. (9) The answers given by a witness to any question asked before the court shall not be admissible against such a witness on any charge at any subsequent occasion except a charge of giving false evidence before such court. (10) Where the proceedings of an inquiry are submitted to a higher authoriiy for orders under Rule 170 such autho-nty before disagreeing with the opinion of the court, shall record reasons for doing so. In such a case, provisions of clause (ii) of sub-rule (8) may not be complied with. (11) The Court may be reassembled as often as the officer who assem- bled the court may direct, for the purpose of examining additional witnesses, or further examining any witness, or recording further information. In such a case the court may record fresh opinion if considered necessary after complying with the provisions of clause (ii) of sub-rule (8). 169. Courts of Inquiry when to be held :- (1)ACourt of Inquiry may be held to investigate into any disciplinary matter or any other matter of importance. (2) In addition to a Court of Inquiry required to be held under Sec- tion 60, a Court of Inquiry shall be held in the following cases :- (a) (i) All unnatural deaths of persons subject to the Act or of other persons within the Security Guard lines, an immediate report shall be sent through the messenger to the Officer-in- charge of the Police Station within whose jurisdiction the place of such unnatural death is. (ii) In cases when such report cannot, for any reasons be delivered within a reasonable time, the Commander of the senior-most officer of the unit present shall prepare a report on the proforma set out in Appendix XII. (b) All injuries sustained by persons subject to the Act which are likely to cause full or partial disability. The court shall in such case, determine whether such injuries were attributable to service or not. (c) All financial irregularities, losses, theft and misappropriation of public or Security Guard property where it is necessary to obtain the order of a superior officer on such irregularities, loss, theft or misappropriation. (d) All losses of secret documents and any other material of secret or above security classification. Such a court of inquiry shall be ordered by an officer or authority superior to the Unit Commander having the lost document or material on its charge. (e) All damages to private persons or property in respect of which there is likely to be a claim against the Government or the Security Guard. 170. Action on the proceedings of a Court of Inquiry :- The proceedings of a Court of Inquiry shall be submitted by the presiding officer to the officer or authority who ordered the court. Such officer or authority on receiving the proceedings may pass final orders thereon himself, if he is empowered to do so, or refer them to a superior authority. 171. Copies of Court of Inquiry Proceedings :- A person subject to the Act against whom the Court of Inquiry has given an opinion or who is being tried by a Security Guard Court on a charge relating to matters investigated by a Court of Inquiry, shall be entitled to copies of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiries unless the Director-General orders otherwise. CHAPTER 15 Miscellaneous 172. Prescribed Officer under Section 10 (2) :- Officer not below the rank of Group Commander may, under sub- section (2) of Section 10 , dismiss or remove from the service any person under his command other than an officer or an Assistant Commander. 173. Authority prescribed for the purpose of Section 12 (1) :- The authority for the purpose of sub-section (1) of Section 12 shall be :- (i) Director-General in respect of all personnel subject to the Act other than officers. (ii) Central Government in respect of officers. 174. Prescribed manner of administering oath or affirmation under snb section (1) of Section 60 :- The court shall administer an oath or affirmation to the witnesses as if the court were a Security Guard Court. 175. Prescribed manner of custody and prescribed officers under Sec- tion 96 or 97 :- (1) The prescribed officer for the purpose of Section 97 shall be- (a) in the case of trial by Summary Security Court, the Commander of the Unit to which the accused person belongs, or any autho- rity superior to such Commander. (b) in the case of trial by nny other court, the convening officer or any authority superior to him. (2) When the officer who proposei to act aa a prescribed officer under sub-rule (1) is under the command of the officer who has taken action in the case under sub-section (4) of Section 96 , he shall ordinarily obtain the approval of such officer before be acts but if he is of opinion that service exigencies, or the necessities of discipline, render it impoglible or inexpedient to obtain such approval, he may act without obtaining such approval, but shall report his action and the reasoni therefor to such officer. (3) For the purposes of sub-section (4) of Section 96 the manner in which an accused person shall be kept in custody shall be as follows :- The accused shall be confined in such manner as may. in the opinion of the proper Security Guard authority, be bent calculated to keep him securely without unnecessary harshness, as he is not to be considered as a criminal but as a person labouring; under a disease. 176. Anthoriaed deduction :- The following deductions may be made from the pay and all other emoluments payable to a person subject to the Act, namely :- (a) upon the general or special order of the Central Government, any sum required to meet any public claim, there may be against him; (b) any sum required to meet compulsory contributions to any provident fund, welfare fund or any other fund approved by the Central Government or to meet any debt that may be due from him towards any Security Guard institutions such as messes, canteens and the like. Explanation.-(i) "Public Claim" means any public debt or disallow- ance including overissue, or a deficiency or irregular expenditure of public money or store of which, after due investigation, no explanation satisfactory to the Ceatral Government, is given by the person who is responsible for the same. (ii) The aforesaid deductions shall be in addition to those specified in the Act. 177. Repeal and Savings :- (1) All rules and orders relating to the matters covered by these rules shall stand repealed in so far as they are inconsistent with any of the provisions of these rules. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal anything done or any action taken under the provisions of the rules or orders so repealed shall, in so far as such thing or action is not inconsistent with the provisions of these rules, be deemed to have been done or taken under the provisions of these rules as if the said provisions were in force when such thing was done or such action was taken and shall continue in force accordingly until superseded by any- thing done or any action taken under these rules. 178. Transitory provisions :- Any rule or order applicable to the Secu- rity Guard on the date these rules come into force will, unless repugnant to these rules, continue to apply unless and until abrogated or modified by the Central Government or any other competent authority.