Indian Ports Act, 1908
45. Penalty for evading payment of port-charges
(1) If the master of a vessel evades the payment of any such sum
as is mentioned in section 43 he shall be punishable with fine which may extend
to five times the amount of the sum.
(2) In any proceeding before a Magistrate on a prosecution under
sub-section (1) any such certificate as is mentioned in, section 44, sub-section
(2), stating that the master has evaded such payment, shall be sufficient prima
facie proof of the evasion, unless the master shows to the satisfaction of the
Magistrate that the departure of the vessel without payment of the sum was
caused by stress of weather, or that there was lawful or reasonable ground for
such departure.
(3) Any Magistrate having jurisdiction under this Act in any
port to which the vessel may proceed, or in which she may be found, shall be
deemed to have jurisdiction in any proceeding under this section.