Section 12: Amendment of section 25

Substitute for section 25 of the Principal Act a new section "25"-
Investigation and search without warrant
25 (1) Where in a case of verifiable urgency, or a life is threatened, or to prevent the commission of an offence provided under this Act, and an application to the court or to a Judge in Chambers to obtain a warrant would cause delay that may be prejudicial to the maintenance of public safety or order, an officer of any law enforcement or security agency may, without prejudice to the provisions of section 28 of this Act or any other law, with the assistance of such other officers as may be necessary and while search warrant is being sought for-
(a) enter and search any premises or place if he has reason to suspect that, within those premises, place or conveyance-
(i) an offence under this Act is being committed or likely to be committed,
(ii) there is evidence of the commission or an offence under this Act, or
(iii) there is an urgent need to prevent the commission of an offence under this Act, or
(b) search any person or conveyance found on any premises or place which such officer is empowered to enter and search under paragraph (a) of this subsection ;
(c) stop, board and search any conveyance where the officer has reasons to suspect that there is evidence of the commission or likelihood of the commission of an offence under this Act;
(d) arrest, search and detain any person whom the officer reasonably suspects to have committed or likely to commit an offence under this Act.
(2) Where a seizure is effected in the course of search or investigation under this section, a copy of the list of all the articles, documents and other materials seized shall be made, duly endorsed and handed to the-
(a) person on whom the search is made; or
(b) owner of the premises, place or conveyance seized.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, a woman shall only be searched by a woman.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as derogating from the lawful right of any person in defence of his person or property."