(1) For enforcing the provisions of this Act, a debt settlement officer may enter and search any place without any warrant where such officer has reason to believe that any document evidencing transactions relating to a loan given to any debtor is kept or concealed, and may seize such documents and detain the same in his custody for such period as he thinks fit.
Creditor required to pay value of pledged or mortgaged property in certain cases.
Offences.
Powers of debt settlement officers in inquiries.
5 of 1908.
Protection of action taken in good faith.
Inquiries and proceed.ings to be judicial proceedings.
45 of 1860.
Powers of entry, search and seizure.
The Gujarat Rural Debtors' Relief Act, 1976 13 of 45
(2) Except as provided in sub-section (7), the other provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall, so far as may be applicable, apply to such search or seizure as they apply to any search or seizure made under the provisions of the said Code.
22. In any proceeding under this Act, any party may be represented by an agent authorised in writing or, with the permission of the debt settlement officer, or as the case may be, the Appellate Officer, by a legal practitioner.
23. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, or in any contract, or instrument having force by virtue of any such law and notwithstanding any custom or usage to the contrary.
24. It is hereby declared that the provisions of this Act are for giving effect to the policy of the State towards securing the principles specified in article 46 of the Constitution.