Section 26. Power of entry and search.

(1) The 1[Central Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, authorise any officer by name or by virtue of office to enter and search any place where he has reason to believe that any petroleum is being imported, transported, stored, produced, refined or blended otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, and to seize, detain or remove any or all of the petroleum in respect of which in his opinion an offence under this Act has been committed. (2) The provisions of the 2[Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)], relating to searches shall, so far as they are applicable, apply to searches by officers authorised under this section. (3) The 1[Central Government] may make rules regulating the procedure of authorised officers in the exercise of their powers under this section subject, however, to the provisions of sub-section (2).