Section 97. Punishment for abetment for escape of persons arrested.

Any officer or person exercising power under this Act, who- (a) unlawfully releases any person arrested under this Act, or (b) abets the escape of any person arrested under this Act, or (c) abets the commission of any offence against this Act, and any other officer of the 1[Government] or of a local authority who abets the commission of any offence against this Act, 2[shall, on conviction, be punished,- (i) if such act is done intentionally, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to thirty months or with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees or with both; or (ii) if such act is done negligently, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.]