Power to entry, search, seizure, etc.

The Competent Authority or any other officers authorised by the State Government in this behalf may with such assistance, if any, as he thinks fit,- (a) search any person if he has the reason to believe that such person is carrying minerals in contravention of the provision of the Act or rules made thereunder ; (b) require the owner, occupier or any other person incharge of any place, premises, vehicle or vessel or other conveyances in which he has reason to believe that any contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of the conditions of any licence or permit issued thereunder has been, is being or is about to be committed to produce any books, accounts or other documents showing transactions relating to such contravention; (c) enter, inspect or break open and search any place or premises, vehicles or vessels or other conveyances in which he has reason to believe that any contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of the conditions of any licence of permit issued thereunder has been, is being or is about to be committed; (d) seize any documents or take or cause to be taken, extracts from or copies of any documents showing transactions relative to such contraventions which are produced before him; and (e) search, seize and remove the stock minerals and the animals, vehicles, vessels or other conveyances used in carrying the said minerals in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of the conditions of the licence or permit issued thereunder and thereafter take or authorise the taking of all measures necessary for securing the production of stocks of minerals and the animals, vehicles, vessels or other conveyances so seized in a court, and for their safe custody pending such production.