Power to enter and inspect places or premises and seize articles

(1) Any excise officer, not below the rank of an excise sub-inspector, or any police officer not below the rank of a sub-inspector shall have power to enter and inspect at any time, by day or by night, any place or premises, where he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act has been, is being, or is likely to be committed, and may seize and detain any article or thing which he has reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act. (2) Every person in occupation of any such place or premises shall allow the officer such access to the place or premises as may be necessary for the aforesaid purpose and shall answer to the best of his knowledge and belief any question put to him by such officer. (3) If any officer empowered to make an entry under this section cannot otherwise make such entry, it shall be lawful for him to break open any outer or inner door or window and to remove any other obstacles to his entry into any such place or premises. (4) Whoever does any act in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (2) shall be punished with fine which may extend to Rs. 200.