19. Providing gratification to prevent legal proceedings, &c

Any person who is alleged, suspected or accused of having committed an offence offers, provides or gives any gratification to any other person who is-

intending or preparing to institute legal proceedings against such first mentioned person for having committed such offence; or

likely to provide information or testimony against such first mentioned person to any law enforcement authority, court or Commission, with a view to preventing, discouraging or dissuading such other person from instituting legal proceedings or providing truthful information or testimony against such first mentioned person, commits an offence under this Act, and shall on conviction by the High Court, be liable to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment of either description for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.