12. Entry into and inspection of places of entertainments.
(1)(a)Any [officer authorised] [For notifications authorising officers under this section see Annexure B at the end of the Act.] by the [State] [Substituted by A.L.O. for 'Provincial'.] Government in this behalf may enter into, inspect and search any place of entertainment while the entertainment is proceeding, or any place ordinarily used as a place of entertainment at any reasonable time, for the purpose of seeing whether the provisions of this Act or any rules made thereunder are being complied with.(b)Every officer so authorised shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (XLV of 1860).(c)[ Every officer so authorised may also enter any place where the tickets for admission to an entertainment or counterfoils thereof or stamps are kept or any accounts, registers or other documents relating to an entertainment are kept or maintained and may search at any reasonable time any such place or office or any box or receptacle in which any such tickets, counterfoils, stamps, accounts, registers or other documents, are kept and may inspect such tickets, counterfoils, stamps, accounts, register or other documents, if he has reason to suspect that attempt is being or has been, made to evade payment of any tax, and may, for reason to be recorded in writing, seize such tickets, counterfoils, stamps, accounts, registers and other documents, and shall grant a receipt for same and such seized tickets, counterfoils, stamps, accounts, registers, or the other documents shall be retained so long as may be necessary for the examination thereof or for a prosecution and shall thereafter be returned to the proprietor. [Substituted by Act 5 of 1973.](d)The officers so authorised shall have power to break open any box or receptacle in which any tickets, counterfoils, stamps, accounts, registers or other documents relating to any entertainment may be contained or to break open the door of any premises where any such tickets, counterfoils, stamps, registers, accounts or other documents may be kept if the proprietor or any other person in occupation of the said premises fails or refuses to open the door or the box or receptacle on being called upon to do so.](2)The proprietor of every entertainment or the owner or person in charge of any place ordinarily used as a place of entertainment shall give every reasonable assistance to the inspecting officer in the performance of his duties under subsection (i).(3)If any person prevents or obstruct the entry of the inspecting officer, he shall, in addition to any other punishment to which he is liable under any law for the time being in force, be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
