If any person subject to naval law is absent
without leave for a period of one month (whether he is guilty of desertion or of improperly leaving his
ship or place of duty or not) but is not apprehended or tried for his offence, he shall be liable for forfeiture
of pay and allowances and other benefits as the Central Government from time to time by regulations
provide, and the Central Government, the Chief of the Naval Staff or the prescribed officer may by an
order containing a statement of the absence without leave direct that the clothes and effects, if any, left by
him on board ship or at his place of duty be forfeited and the same be sold and the proceeds of the same
shall be disposed of as provided in the regulations made under this Act; and every order under this
provision for forfeiture or sale be conclusive for the purpose of this section as to the fact of the absence
without leave as therein stated of the person therein named; but in any case the Central Government may,
if it deems fit on sufficient cause being shown at any time after forfeiture and before sale, remit the
forfeiture, or after sale pay or dispose of the proceeds of the sale or any part thereof to or for the use of the
person to whom the clothes or effects belonged, or his representatives.
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