Vexatious search seizure, etc., by officers

(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) 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.