Section 22. Vexatious search, seizure, etc., by Central Excise Officer.

Any Central Excise or other officer exercising powers under this Act or under the rules made thereunder who-- (a) without reasonable ground of suspicion searches or causes to be searched any house, boat or place; (b) vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any person; (c) vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes the movable property of any person, on pretence of seizing or searching for any article liable to confiscation under this Act; (d) commits, as such officer, any other act to the injury of any person, without having reason to believe that such act is required for the execution of his duty; shall, for every such offence, be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees. Any person wilfully and maliciously giving false information and so causing an arrest or a search to be made under this Act shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with both.