The law is designed specifically to make acts of knowingly seeking and receiving ransom in connection with the kidnap of any person a criminal offence.
The Kidnapping Act defines the punishment to be meted out for different scenarios of violations, and serves as an instrument for imprisoning and caning of offenders.
The abduction, wrongful restraint or wrongful confinement for ransom is primarily subjected to a mandatory minimum penalty of life imprisonment, plus caning, and a maximum of capital punishment.
The Act empowers the Public Prosecutor to freeze bank accounts and order the inspection of books, accounts, receipts, vouchers or other documents, and to obtain information as well as intercepting communication.
The Act expresses that it is the duty of any person in the know to give information on kidnapping acts to the police, and such a person may also be found guilty and subjected to a fine and imprisonment if he or she fails in doing so.