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 any protected place or protected area, as the case may be, and any vehicle, vessel, animal or thing brought into or in or being taken out of such place or area by such person, and may, for the purpose of search, detain such person, vehicle, vessel, animal or thing: Provided that the search of any woman shall be made by a woman only and with strict regard to decency.