(2)The powers conferred under sub-section (1) may also be exercised in respect of any person or class of persons by the following income-tax authorities (even when there are no proceedings pending with respect to such person or class of persons before them or any other income-tax authority):––(a)any income-tax authority (not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax) notified by the Board in this behalf, for the purposes of making any inquiry or investigation in respect of an agreement referred to in section 159;(b)the Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Director or Director or Joint Director or Assistant Director for the purposes of making any inquiry or investigation in relation to any concealment of income, if he has the reason to suspect that any income has been so concealed, or is likely to be so concealed by such person or class of persons within his jurisdiction; and(c)the authorised officer referred to in section 247(1), before taking action under section 247(1)(i) to (vii), or during the course of such action, if he has reason to suspect that any income has been concealed, or is likely to be concealed by such person or class of persons within his jurisdiction.
