Section 7. Investigation of offence

(1) An officer of the Excise Department not below the rank of Excise Inspector may investigate any offence under this Act committed within the limits of the area in which he exercises jurisdiction and shall have in respect of such investigation the same powers as an officer-incharge of a police station has in a cognizable case under the provisions of Chapter XII of the Coder of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and may, in particular, make such investigation without an order of a Magistrate. (2) In other respects, the provisions of the said Code or in areas where the Code does not apply the spirit of the Code relating to arrests, searches, search warrants, production of persons arrested and investigation of offences shall , so far as may be, apply to all actions taken in these respects under this Act.