(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the notification, appoint for any one or more police stations, as may be specified in the notification, one or more police officers to be known as the Vigilance Officer :
Provided that, such officer shall not be below the rank of an Inspector of Police.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Vigilance Officer,-
(i) to detect and prevent the contravention or violation of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, in the area of his jurisdiction and report such cases to the nearest police station within the area of his jurisdiction; and upon filing of complaint to the police station by any victim or any member of his family, to ensure due and speedy action thereon and to give necessary advice, guidance and help to the concerned police station ;
(ii) to collect evidence for the effective prosecution of persons contravening the provisions of this Act; and to report the same to the police station of the area in which such contravention has been or is being committed ;
(iii) to discharge such other functions as may be assigned to him, from time to time, by the State Government, by general or special order issued in this behalf.
(3) Any person who obstructs the discharge of the official duties or the work of the Vigilance Officer, appointed under sub-section (1), shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine, which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both.
(4) The Vigilance Officer shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).