Vexatious search seizure, etc., by officers

Vexatious search seizure, etc., by officers.—

1. (1) [Any Excise Officer or a Police Officer] or other person exercising powers under this Act, or under the rules made thereunder, who,—
   • (a) without reasonable ground of suspicion searches or causes to be searched any place;
   • (b) vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any person;
   • (c) vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes the movable property of any person, on pretence of seizing or searching for any article liable to confiscation under this Act;
   • (d) commits, as such officer, any other act to the injury of any person, without having reason to believe that, such act is required for the execution of his duty; shall, on conviction before a Magistrate, be punished with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.
2. (2) Any person wilfully and maliciously giving false information and so causing an arrest or a search to be made under this Act shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with both.