60 Power to enter premises and seize records and goods

(1) All goods kept at any business premises by a dealer, transporter or operator of a warehouse shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by the Commissioner.

(2) Where the Commissioner, upon information in his possession or otherwise has reasonable grounds to believe that any person or dealer is attempting to avoid or evade tax or is concealing his tax liability in any manner and for the purposes of administration of this Act, it is necessary so to do, the Commissioner may-

(a) enter and search any business premises or any other place or building;

(b) break open the lock of any door, box, locker, safe, almirah or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by clause (a) where the keys thereof are not readily available;

(c) seize and remove any records, books of account, registers, other documents or goods;

(d) place marks of identification on any records, books of account, registers and other documents or make or cause to be made extracts or copies thereof without charge; and

(e) seal the premises including the office, shop, godown, box, locker, safe, almirah or other receptacle.

(3) Where any premises have been sealed under clause (f) of sub-section (2), of this section or an order made under sub-section (3) of this section, the Commissioner may, on an application made by the owner or the person in occupation or in charge of such shop, godown, box, locker, safe, almirah or other receptacle, permit the de-sealing or release thereof, as the case may be, on such terms and conditions including furnishing of security for such sum in such form and manners as may be prescribed.

(4) The Commissioner may requisition the services of any police officer or any public servant, or of both, to assist him for all or any of the purposes specified in sub-section (2) of this section.

(5) Save as otherwise provided in this section, every search or seizure made under this section shall as far as possible be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) relating to searches or seizures made under that Code.

Explanation.- The powers under this section may also be exercised in respect of a dealer or a third party for the purposes of undertaking an audit or to assist in recovery.