158. Removal of ballot papers from polling station to be an offence.
(1)Any person who at any election fraudulently takes, or attempts to take, a ballot-paper out of a polling station, or wilfully aids or abets the doing of any such act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.(2)If the presiding officer of a poling station has reasons to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1), such officer may, before such person leaves the polling station, arrest or direct a police officer to arrest such person and may search such person or cause him to be searched by a police officer :Provided that when it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency.(3)Any ballot-paper found upon the person arrested on search shall be made over for safe custody to a police officer by the presiding officer, or when the search is made by a police officer, shall be kept by such officer in safe custody.(4)Any offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.
