If the Magistrate in charge of a division or a Magistrate invested with the powers of a first class Magistrate upon credible information and after such inquiry as he may think necessary, held or caused to be held by him at a place within his jurisdiction, has reason to believe that any house, tent, room, walled enclosure, space or vehicle is used as a common gaming house, he may either himself enter, or by his warrant authorise any officer of Police, not below the rank of a Sub- Inspector, to enter, with such assistance as may be found necessary, by night or by day, at any time and in any circumstance, and by force if necessary, such place as aforesaid. and may either himself take into custody, or authorise such officer to take into custody, all persons whom he or such officer finds therein, whether or not such persons may he then actually gaming :and may seize or authorise such officer to seize all instruments of gaming, and all moneys and securities for money, and articles of value, reasonably suspected to have been used or intended to be used for the purpose of gaming, which are found therein; and may search or authorise such officer to search all parts of the common gaming-house which he or such officer shall have so entered. when he or such person has reason to believe that any instruments of gaming are concealed therein, arid also the persons of those whom he or such officer find therein and may either himself seize and take into custody or authorise such officer to seize and take into custody such persons ;and may seize or authorise such officer to seize and take possession of all instruments of gaming found upon such search.The Superintendent of Police posted in a division of the State shall exercise all such powers mentioned in this section as the Magistrate of such division may exercise.
