(1) Any public officer who publishes or discloses any confidential document, decision, order or other official notification under his control, or within his knowledge, by virtue of his office, or who facilitates, by any means, the access to such information by another shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment for a term of one to four years.

(2) The same penalty shall be applicable where a public officer commits such an offence after the expiry of his status as a public officer.