Section 177. Pardon and remission.

When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a courtmartial of any offence, the Central Government, 1[the Chief of the Air Staff], an air or other officer commanding a group or the prescribed officer, may-- (a) either with or without conditions which the person sentenced accepts, pardon the person or remit the whole or any part of the punishment awarded; or (b) mitigate the punishment awarded; or (c) commute such punishment for any less punishment or punishments mentioned in this Act: Provided that a sentence of transportation shall not be commuted for a sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding the term of transportation awarded by the court; and a sentence of imprisonment shall not be commuted for a sentence of detention for a term exceeding the term of imprisonment so awarded; (d) either with or without conditions which the person sentenced accepts, release the person on parole.