Section 56: Prohibition of espionage

1) No person shall, with intent to undermine the sovereignty, security or geographical or territorial integrity of Nepal or to prejudice the interests of Nepal or with the knowledge that such consequence is likely, or being induced by any foreign country or international organization, supply to any one any information relating to the military situation, strategic arrangement or internal security of Nepal or relating to any matter that must be kept confidential by the Government of Nepal from the political, economic or diplomatic viewpoint or confidential document, or any matter that is confidential or must be kept confidential under law or conspire or attempt to commit, or abet the commission of, such act or do any other act with intent to supply such information, and a person who commits such act shall be considered to have committed espionage.

2) A person who commits, or causes to be committed, espionage referred to in sub-section (1) shall be liable to punishment as follows:

(a) In the case of a person who commits, or causes to be committed, espionage in relation to any matter of military situation, strategic arrangement or internal security of Nepal, a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty-five years,

(b) In the case of a person who commits, or causes to be committed, espionage in relation to any matter that must be kept confidential by the Government of Nepal from the political, economic or diplomatic viewpoint or any other confidential document, that must be kept confidential by the Government of Nepal from the political, economic or diplomatic viewpoint or any other confidential document, a sentence of imprisonment for a term ranging from five to ten years,

(c) In the case of a person who commits, or causes to be committed, espionage in relation to any matter other than that set forth in clauses (a) and (b), a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and a fine of fifty thousand rupees,

(d) In the case of a person who, despite the knowledge that anyone is going to commit espionage, does not give information thereof to the Government of Nepal, a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year and a fine of one hundred thousand rupees.