Section 17(1) in THE PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACT, 2013
(1)Where the Authority, in consequence of information in its possession, has reason to believe that–(a)any person who has been required under sub-section (3) of section 16 to produce, or cause to be produced, any books, accounts or other documents in his custody or power has omitted or failed to produce, or cause to be produced, such books, accounts or other documents; or(b)any person to whom a requisition to produce any books, accounts or other documents as aforesaid has been or might be issued will not, or would not, produce or cause to be produced, any books, accounts or other documents which will be useful for, or relevant to, an investigation under sub-section (1) of section 16; or(c)a contravention of any provision of this Act has been committed or is likely to be committed by an intermediary; or(d)any claim which is due to be settled by the intermediary, has been or is likely to be rejected or settled at a figure higher than a reasonable amount; or(e)any claim which is due to be settled by an intermediary, has been or is likely to be rejected or settled at a figure lower than a reasonable amount; or(f)any illegal fees and charges have been transacted or are likely to be transacted by an intermediary; or(g)any books, accounts, papers, receipts, vouchers, survey reports or other documents, belonging to an intermediary are likely to be tampered with, falsified or manufactured,it may authorise any officer of the Authority, not below the rank equivalent to that of a Gazetted Officer of the Government (hereafter referred to as the authorised officer), to–(i)enter and search any building or place where he has reason to suspect that such books, accounts or other documents, or any books or papers relating to any claim, rebate or commission or any receipts, vouchers, reports or other documents are kept;(ii)break open the lock of any box, locker, safe, almirah or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by clause (i) where the keys thereof are not available;(iii)seize all or any such books, accounts or other documents, found as a result of such search;(iv)place marks of identification on such books, accounts or other documents or make or cause to be made extracts or copies there from.
