Drug Inspector Power and duties

The Central Government or a State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint such persons as it thinks fit, having the prescribed qualifications, to be Inspectors for such areas as may be assigned to them by the Central Government or State Government, as the case may be.

The powers which may be exercised by an Inspector and the duties which may be performed by him, the drugs or (classes of drugs or cosmetics or classes of cosmetics) in relation to which and the conditions, limitations or restrictions subject to which, such powers and duties may be exercised or performed shall be such as may be prescribed.

No person who has any financial interest [in the import, manufacture or sale of drugs or cosmetics] shall be appointed to be an Inspector under this section.

Every Inspector shall be deemed to be public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and shall be officially subordinate to such authority [having the prescribed qualifications,] as the Government appointing him may specify in this behalf.

Inspect

Powers of Inspectors

Subject to the provisions of section 23 and of any rules made by the Central Government in this behalf, an Inspector may, within the local limits of the area for which he is appointed—

Inspect

Any premises wherein any drug or cosmetic is being manufactured and the means employed for standardizing and testing the drug or cosmetic.

Any premises wherein any drug or cosmetic is being sold, or stocked or exhibited or offered for sale, or distributed.

Take samples of any drug or cosmetic

Which is being manufactured or being sold or is stocked or exhibited or offered for sale, or is being distributed.

From any person who is in the course of conveying, delivering or preparing to deliver such drug or cosmetic to a purchaser or a consignee.

Powers of Inspectors

At all reasonable times, with such assistance, if any, as he considers necessary

Search any person, who, he has reason to believe, has secreted about his person, any drug or cosmetic in respect of which an offence under this Chapter has been, or is being, committed; or

Enter and search any place in which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Chapter has been, or is being, committed.

Stop and search any vehicle, vessel or other conveyance which, he has reason to believe, is being used for carrying any drug or cosmetic in respect of which an offence under this Chapter has been, or is being, committed,

and order in writing the person in possession of the drug or cosmetic in respect of which the offence has been, or is being, committed, not to dispose of any stock of such drug or cosmetic for a specified period not exceeding twenty days, or, unless the alleged offence is such that the defect may be removed by the possessor of the drug or cosmetic, seize the stock of such drug or cosmetic and any substance or article by means of which the offence has been, or is being, committed or which may be employed for the commission of such offence.

(cc) examine any record, register, document or any other material object found 4 [with any person, or in any place, vehicle, vessel or other conveyance referred to in clause (c)], 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 or the rules made thereunder.

(cca) require any person to produce any record, register, or other document relating to the manufacture for sale or for distribution, stocking, exhibition for sale, offer for sale or distribution of any drug or cosmetic in respect of which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Chapter has been, or is being, committed.

(d) exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Chapter or any rules made thereunder.

(2) The provisions of [the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)] shall, so far as may be, apply to any search or seizure under this Chapter as they apply to any search or seizure made under the authority of a warrant issued under 1 [section 94] of the said Code.

(2A) Every record, register or other document seized under clause (cc) or produced under clause (cca) shall be returned to the person, from whom they were seized or who produce the same, within a period of twenty days of the date of such seizure or production, as the case may be, after copies thereof or extracts there from certified by that person, in such manner as may be prescribed, have been taken.

(3) If any person wilfully obstructs an Inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by or under this Chapter, [or refuses to produce any record, register or other document when so required under clause (cca) of subsection (1),] he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.