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BNSS, 2023
Start Practicing
BNSSChapter VIISection 96
Section96

When searchwarrant may be issued

AI Assist

Summary

If the Court believes a summoned or requisitioned person will not produce a required document or thing, or that no one is known to possess it, or that a general search would aid the inquiry or trial, it may issue a search warrant authorising search or inspection. A warrant to search items in the custody of the postal authority can be granted only by a District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Example

Priya asks the Court to obtain her landlord’s rent receipts, but the landlord refuses to hand them over and the Court cannot locate some invoices. The Court may issue a search warrant so an officer can search the landlord’s premises and inspect or seize the receipts. If the papers are with the postal authority, only a District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate can authorise a warrant to search them.

Bare Act

Enacted text

(1) Where-

  • (a) any Court has reason to believe that a person to whom a summons order under section 94 or a requisition under sub-section (1) of section 95 has been, or might be, addressed, will not or would not produce the document or thing as required by such summons or requisition; or

  • (b) such document or thing is not known to the Court to be in the possession of any person; or

  • (c) the Court considers that the purposes of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Sanhita will be served by a general search or inspection, it may issue a search-warrant; and the person to whom such warrant is directed, may search or inspect in accordance therewith and the provisions hereinafter contained.

(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, specify in the warrant the particular place or part thereof to which only the search or inspection shall extend; and the person charged with the execution of such warrant shall then search or inspect only the place or part so specified.

(3) Nothing contained in this section shall authorise any Magistrate other than a District Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate to grant a warrant to search for a document, parcel or other thing in the custody of the postal authority.

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VII

Chapter VII

Processes to Compel The Production of Things

In this chapter

  • 94Summons to Produce document or other thing
  • 95Procedure as to letters
  • 96When searchwarrant may be issued
  • 97Search of place suspected to contain stolen property, forged documents, etc
  • 98Power to declare certain publications forfeited and to issue searchwarrants for same
  • 99Application to High Court to set aside declaration of forfeiture
  • 100Search for Persons wrongfully confined
  • 101Power to compel restoration of abducted females
  • 102Direction, etc., of search-warrants
  • 103Persons in charge of closed place to allow search
  • 104Disposal of things found in search beyond jurisdiction
  • 105Recording of search and seizure through audio video electronic means
  • 106Power of police officer to seize certain property
  • 107Attachment, forfeiture or restoration of property
  • 108Magistrate may direct search in his presence
  • 109Power to impound document, etc., produced
  • 110Reciprocal arrangements regarding processes
Previous · Section 95Procedure as to lettersNext · Section 97Search of place suspected to contain stolen property, forged documents, etc