Inquiries into absence

(1) Where a court of inquiry inquiring into the absence of a member of the Force reports that he has been absent without leave or other sufficient cause for a period specified in the report, not being less than twenty-one days, a record of the report shall be entered in the service books. (2) A record entered in pursuance of sub-section (1) shall, unless the absentee subsequently surrenders or is arrested, or the report of the court of inquiry is annulled by the Governor- General in accordance with the advice of the Security Services Commission, or by a subsequent court inquiry, have the like effect as a conviction by court martial for desertion. 75