Power of search by any police officer

Any police officer or any person authorised in this behalf by the State Government, may search any person entering or seeking to enter, or being on or in, or leaving, a protected place or protected area, as the case may be, and any vehicle, vessel, animal or object brought in by such person and may, for the purpose of the search, detain such person, vehicle, vessel, animal or object: Provided that the search of any woman shall be made by a woman only, with strict regard to decency.