(1) The Officer in charge of an Excise Station or any other Excise Officer superior to him may, without the order of a Judicial Magistate, investigate any offence punishable under this Act which a Court having Jurisdiction over the local area would have power to inquire into or try under the provisions of Chapter XIII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 2 of 1974, relating to the place of inquiry or trial.
(2) Any other Excise Officer above the rank of Constable of Excise, specially empowered in this behalf by the State Government, by a notification, published in the Official Gazette in respect of all or any of the offences punishable under this Act may, without the order of a Judicial Magistrate, investigate any such offence which a Court 30 THE ODISHA EXCISE ACT, 2008 having jurisdiction over the local area to which such Officer is appointed would have power to enquire into or try under the aforesaid provisions.
(3) Excise Officers superior in rank to an Officer in charge of an Excise Station may exercise the same powers, throughout the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by such Officer within the limits of his station.