- (3) Any person-who obstructs the discharge of the official duties or the work of the Vigilance Officer, appointed under sub-section (7), shall, on conviction, be punished: with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine, which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both.
- (4) The Vigilance Officer shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
Powers of entry, search, etc.
6. (1) Subject to the general or special orders issued in this behalf by the State Government, from time to time, the Vigilance Officer may, within the local limits of the area of his jurisdiction, with the assistance of the police officer of his area,—
- (i) enter and search, at all reasonable times, with such assistance, if any, as be considers necessary, any place in which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is being committed;
- (ii) seize any material, instrument or advertisement which, he has reason to believe that the same has been or is being used for any act or thing which is in contravention of the provisions of this Act;
- (iii) examine any record, document or material object found in any place mentioned in clause (i) and seize the same if he has reason to believe that it may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act.
- (2) The provisions of the Code shall, so far as may be, apply to any search or seizure made under this Act as they apply to such search or seizure made under the authority of a warrant issued under section 94 of the Code.
- (3) Where any person seizes anything under clause (ii) or (iii) of sub-section (1), he shall, as soon as may be, inform the Magistrate and take his orders as to the custody thereof.
Application of provisions of sections 159 and 160 of Maharashtra Police Act 7. The provision of sections 159 and 160 of the Maharashtra Police Act, shall apply to acts done in good faith by the Vigilance Officer under this Act, as if the Vigilance Officer is a Police Officer within the meaning of that Act.XXII of 1951
Application of provisions of Code 8. The provisions of the Code shall apply to the investigation and trial of offences under this Act.
Act to be in addition to and not in derogation of any other law. 9. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other law for the time being in force.
Publication of fact of conviction. 10. (1) Where any person is convicted of any offence punishable under this Act, it shall be competent for the Court convicting such offender to cause the name and place of residence of such person to be published by the police in the local newspaper where such offence had taken place, together with the fact that such offender had been convicted of the offence under this Act and such other particulars as the Court may deem fit and appropriate, to be allowed to be published.
