(1)Whenever an officer of the Excise Department not below such rank as the [State Government] [Substituted by Rajasthan Act 38 of 1957.] may prescribe has reason to believe that an offence punishable under this Act has been, is being or is likely to be committed in any place, and that a search warrant cannot be obtained without affording the offender an opportunity of escape or of concealing evidence of the offence he may, at any time by day or night enter and search such place :Provided that such officer shall before entering such place record the grounds of his belief as aforesaid.
