Powers of entry search seizure, etc.

(1) Any police officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector or any other person authorised by the State Government may, with a view to securing compliance with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or to satisfying himself that the said provisions have been complied with- (i) stop and search any person, boat, vehicle or receptacle used or intended to be used for the transport of a forest produce; (ii) enter and search any place; (iii) seize forest produce in respect of which he suspects that any provision of this Act, or the rules made thereunder has been, is being or is about to be contravened alongwith the receptacle containing such produce or the vehicles or boats used in carrying such produce. (2) The provisions of sections 102 and 103 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, relating to search and seizure shall, so far as may be, apply to searches and seizures under this section.