Cap. 220 Art. 146Compensation for loss occasioned by wrongful act or negligence.

(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act as to the imposition of stoppages as a punishment, where, after such investigation as may be prescribed it appears to the Commander or an officer authorised by him that any loss of, or damage to, public or service property has been occasioned by any wrongful act or negligence of an officer or man of the regular force (hereinafter referred to as "the person responsible"), the Commander or authorised officer may, subject to sub-article (2), order the person responsible (whether or not he is a member of the regular force at the time when the order is made) to pay, as or towards compensation for the loss or damage, such sum as may be specified in the order; and any such sum, in so far as not otherwise paid by the person responsible, may be deducted from his pay.

(2) No order shall be made under the last foregoing sub-article if, in proceedings before a court-martial, the appropriate superior authority or the commanding officer of the person responsible, that person -

(a) has been acquitted in circumstances involving a finding that he was not guilty of the wrongful act or negligence in question; or

(b) has been awarded stoppages in respect of the same loss or damage, but save as aforesaid, the fact that any such proceedings have been brought in respect of the wrongful act or negligence in question shall not prevent the making of an order or deductions under the last foregoing sub-article.