Section 53: Presumption in certain offences.

(1) Where in any proceedings against any person for an offence under sections 3 to 19 it is proved that any gratification has been accepted or agreed to be accepted, obtained or attempted to be obtained, solicited, given or agreed to be solicited or given, promised or offered, by or to the accused, the gratification shall be presumed to have been corruptly accepted or agreed to be accepted, obtained or attempted to be obtained, solicited, given or agreed to be solicited or given, promised or offered as an inducement or a reward for or on account of the matters set out in the particulars of the offence, until the contrary is proved.
(2) Where in any proceedings against any person for an offence under this Act or any other law prohibiting corruption it is proved that such person has accepted or agreed to accept, obtained or attempted to obtain any gratification, such person shall be presumed to have done so as motive or reward for the matters set out in the particulars of the offence, until the contrary is proved.
(3) Where in any proceedings against any person for an offence under this Act or any other law prohibiting corruption it is proved that such person has accepted or attempted to obtain any valuable thing without consideration or for a consideration which he knows to be inadequate, such person shall be presumed to have done so with such knowledge as to the circumstances set out in the particulars of the offence, until the contrary is proved.
(4) Where in any proceedings against any person for an offence under the Custom and Excise Act, it is proved that any officer of customs or other person duly employed for the prevention of smuggling has accepted, agreed to accept or attempted to obtain any bribe, gratuity, re-compence, or reward, such officer or person shall be presumed to have done so for such neglect or non-performance of his duty as set out in the particulars of the offence, until the contrary is proved.