SECTION 22. Vexatious search, seizure, etc., by Central Excise Officer. -
Any Central Excise or other officer exercising powers under this Act or under the rules made thereunder who -
(a) without reasonable ground of suspicion searches or causes to be searched any house, boat or place;
(b) vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any person;
(c) vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes the movable property of any person, on pretence of seizing or searching for any article liable to confiscation under this Act;
(d) commits, as such officer, any other act to the injury of any person, without having reason to believe that such act is required for the execution of his duty;
shall, for every such offence, be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.
Any person wilfully and maliciously giving false information and so causing an arrest or a search to be made under this Act shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with both.