Section 254.   Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits.

Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe
that any persons are about to commit or have recently committed robbery or dacoity, harbours them or
any of them, with the intention of facilitating the commission of such robbery or dacoity, or of screening
them or any of them from punishment, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section it is immaterial whether the robbery or dacoity is
intended to be committed, or has been committed, within or without India.
Exception.—The provisions of this section do not extend to the case in which the harbour is by the
spouse of the offender.