31. Punishment for vexatious entry, search, seizure or arrest.
(1)Any person empowered under Section 21 or Section 22, who -(a)without reasonable ground of suspicion enters or searches, or causes to be entered or searched, any building, conveyance or place;(b)vexatiously or unnecessarily seizes the property of any person on the pretence of seizing or searching for any controlled substance or other article liable to be confiscated under this Act, or of seizing any document or other article liable to be seized under Section 21 or Section 22; or(c)vexatiously or unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any person, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.(2)Any person willfully or maliciously giving false information and so causing an arrest or search being made under this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, or with both.
