Section 22A in Puducherry Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1972
22A. [ Power of Commissioner to enter institutions. [Inserted by Act 13 of 1973. section 5.]
(1)The Commissioner shall have power to enter the premises of any institution at all reasonable times for the purpose of exercising any power conferred or discharging any duty imposed by or under this Act or the rules made thereunder.(2)If the Commissioner is resisted in the exercise of such power or the discharge of such duty, the Magistrate having jurisdiction shall, on a written requisition from the Commissioner, direct any police officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector to render such help as may be necessary to enable the Commissioner to exercise such power or discharge such duty.(3)While exercising the powers under this section, the Commissioner shall before entering the sanctum sanctorum or pooja Gruha or any other portion held specially sacred within the premises of an institution, give reasonable notice to the Board of trustees and shall have due regard to the religious practice or usage of the institution.(4)Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorize any person who is not a Hindu to enter any institution or part thereof.(5)If any question arises whether the religious practice or usage of the institution prohibits entry into the sanctum sanctorum or pooja Gruha or any other portion held specially sacred within the premises of an institution by the Commissioner or the police officer referred to in sub-section (2), the question shall be referred to the decision of the Commissioner. Before making any decision on any such question the Commissioner may make any such enquiry as he deems fit.(6)Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner under sub-section (5) may, within one month from the date of the decision, appeal to the Government:Provided that the Government shall not pass any order prejudicial to any party unless he has had a reasonable opportunity of making his representation.]
