Section 173: Inquiries into absence without leave

(1) Where a board of inquiry, inquiring into the absence of a person subject to service law under this Act, 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 clear days, a record of the report shall, in accordance with the Board of Inquiry Rules, be entered in the service books.
(2) A record entered in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section shall, unless the person subsequently surrenders or is arrested, or the report of the board of inquiry is annulled by the appropriate service Council or Board or a subsequent board of inquiry, have the like effect as a conviction by a court-martial for desertion.