Special provision relating to the existing members of the Area Committee and non-hereditary trustees

Substitution of new section for section 21 in Madras Act XIX of 1951.- For section 21 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely:-

“21. Power to enter religious institution.-

1. (1) The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner or such officers or servants of a religious institution as may be authorized by the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner in this behalf, shall have power to enter the premises of any religious institution or any place of worship for the purpose of exercising any power conferred, or discharging any duty imposed, by or under this Act.
2. (2) If any such officer or servant is resisted in the exercise of such power or discharge of such duty, the Magistrate having jurisdiction shall, on a written requisition from such officer or servant, direct any police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector to render such help as may be necessary to enable the officer or servant to exercise such power or discharge such duty.
3. (3) In entering the premises of a religious institution or place of worship, the person authorized by or under sub-section
4. (1) or the police officer referred to in sub-section
5. (2) shall, if practicable, give notice to the trustee and shall have due regard to the practices and usages of the institution.”.