1[23B. Power to search.--If any gazetted officer of the Central or a State Government authorised by
the Central Government 2[or a State Government, as the case may be,] in this behalf by genera! or
special order has reason to believe that any mineral has been raised in contravention of the provisions of
this Act or rules made thereunder or any document or thing in relation to such mineral is secreted in any
place 2[or vehicle], he may search for such mineral, document or thing and the provisions of section 100
of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), shall apply to every such search.]
1. Ins. by Act 25 of 1994, s. 9 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).
2. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, s. 18 (w.e.f. 18-12-1999).