Section 31: Forcible entry

31. Forcible entry.—(1) For the purpose of exercising his powers under sub­sections (1) and (2) of section 30, an investigating officer of the Commission may enter any place or building by force, if necessary 1[in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Federal Government through rules]. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub­section (1), no investigating officer of the Commission shall enter any premises by the use of force without a written order of the Commission signed by 1[a Commissioner authorized in this behalf]. (3) If, on enquiry conducted in accordance with the rules it is found that the exercise by an investigating officer of his power under sub­section (2) was vexatious, excessive or with mala fide intent such officer shall be dismissed from service, and shall be guilty of an offence punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees and imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year. (4) Whenever a criminal Court imposes a fine under sub­section (3) it shall, when passing judgment, order that a sum equal to the whole or any part of the fine recovered, be paid to the person on whose complaint the investigating officer was convicted, and in case the fine is not recovered the sum shall be paid out of the Fund. (5) Any sum paid under sub­section (4) shall be without prejudice to the right of the aggrieved person to avail any other remedies available to him under the law but at the time of awarding compensation in any subsequent proceedings relating to the same matter the Court shall take into account any sum recovered from the convict and paid to the aggrieved person.

Effective date: 1997-01-01

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