Indian Penal Code, 1860
217. Public
servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment
or property from forfeiture
Whoever, being a
public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of the law as to the way in
which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending thereby to
save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal
punishment, or subject him to a less punishment than that to which he is
liable, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save,
any property from forfeiture or any charge to which it is liable by law, shall
be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend
to two years, or with fine, or with both.