Section 71
Choice between criminal court and Coast Guard Court.
About this Act
An Act to provide for the constitution and regulation of an Armed Force of the Union for ensuring the security of the maritime zones of India with a view to the protection of maritime and other national interests in such zones and for matters connected therewith.
When a criminal court and a
Coast Guard Court have each jurisdiction in respect of an offence, it shall be in the discretion of the
Director-General or the Inspector-General or the Deputy Inspector-General within whose command the
accused person is serving or such other officer as may be prescribed, to decide before which court the
proceedings shall be instituted, and, if that officer decides that they shall be instituted before a Coast
Guard Court, to direct that the accused person shall be detained in Coast Guard custody.