53. Procedure for conducting enquiries for the award of punishment.
(1)No prisoner shall be awarded any punishment under Section 47 unless he has been informed of the offence alleged against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in his defence;(2)No prisoner shall be punished twice for the same offence;(3)Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) and (2) above, the Superintendent may follow such procedure, for the holding of inquiries including framing of charges against a prisoner, segregation of prisoners, pending inquiry, medical examination in case of inquiries, conduct of the inquiry and other matters regarding requests for appeal or revision, as may be prescribed;(4)Where the act of the prisoner is an offence punishable under this Act and under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860) or any local or special enactments, it shall be in the discretion of the Superintendent to deal with the case himself or send it to the concerned Magistrate:Provided that where the offence committed is a cognizable offence punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years or above, he shall initiate proceedings for the offender.
