Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 — back to Table of Contents
Section 24. Power of entry and inspection
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any person empowered by a State Board in this behalf shall have a right to enter, at all reasonable times with such assistance as he considers necessary, any place — (a) for the purpose of performing any of the functions of the State Board entrusted to him; (b) for the purpose of determining whether and if so in what manner any such functions are to be performed or whether any provisions of this Act, rules made thereunder, or any notice, order, direction or authorisation is being or has been complied with; (c) for the purpose of examining and testing any control equipment, industrial plant, record, register, document or other material object, or for conducting a search of any place where he has reason to believe an offence under this Act has been, is being, or is about to be committed, and for seizing any such equipment, plant, record, register, document or material object that may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence.
(2) Every person operating any control equipment or industrial plant in an air pollution control area shall be bound to render all assistance to the person empowered under sub-section (1), and if he fails to do so without reasonable cause or excuse, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(3) If any person wilfully delays or obstructs any person empowered under sub-section (1) in the discharge of his duties, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(4) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, relating to searches and seizures under a warrant issued under section 94 of that Code shall, so far as may be, apply to any search or seizure under this section.
