Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No. 26 of 1956)

27. Penalties for endangering safety or causing loss of life

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1)Any person causing an explosion whereby life or property is endangered shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to the following penalties, according as the explosion was negligently or wilfully caused; that is to say--
a)if the explosion is negligently caused and property is endangered, he shall be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four years;
b)if the explosion is negligently caused and life is endangered, he shall be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four years;
c)if the act or omission causing danger to life or property is wilful, he shall, where death does not result therefrom, be liable to imprisonment without the option of a fine for a period of not less than three years and not more than fifteen years, and the explosives and any apparatus or conveyance used in connection with or involved in the act or omission may be declared to be forfeited;
d)if the explosion is negligently caused and death results, he shall be liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six years.

 

1A)Any person who in any manner--
a)threatens, or falsely alleges, knowing it to be false, that any other person intends, to cause an explosion whereby life or property is or may be endangered or in order to intimidate any person;
b)communicates false information, knowing it to be false, regarding any explosion or alleged explosion or any attempt or alleged attempt thereto,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment without the option of a fine for a period of not less than three years and not more than fifteen years.

 

2)Nothing in this section contained shall be construed as exempting any person from being charged and punished under the common law or any other statute in respect of any such act or omission as is described in this section.

 

3)For the purposes of this section "explosion" includes a fire caused by an explosive.