Search of place suspected to contain stolen property, forged documents, etc.
What this section does
A District Magistrate, Sub-divisional Magistrate, or first-class Magistrate who has reason to believe that a place is used for deposit or sale of stolen property or specified objectionable articles may issue a warrant authorising a police officer above the rank of constable to enter, search, seize property or articles, convey them before a Magistrate, and arrest persons found there who appear to have been privy to such activities. Objectionable articles include counterfeit coin, counterfeit currency notes, counterfeit stamps, forged documents, false seals, obscene objects under BNS s.294, and instruments or materials used to produce any of these.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- District Magistrate · Sub-divisional Magistrate · Magistrate of the first class · Police officer above rank of constable
- Time limit
- None specified
Derived from CrPC s.94.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 97, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 97 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.