Whoever accepts or attempts to
obtain, or agrees to accept, any gratification for himself or any other person, or any restitution of property
to himself or any other person, in consideration of his concealing an offence or of his screening any
person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose
of bringing him to legal punishment shall,—
(a) if the offence is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description
for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine;
(b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which may
extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend
to three years, and shall also be liable to fine;
(c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, be punished with
imprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term which may extend to one-fourth
part of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both.
Chapter XII — OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE