Chapter: 32 COMPANIES ORDINANCE
Section Num: 152B Version Date 30/06/1997
Entry and search of premises
(1) If a magistrate is satisfied on information on oath laid by an inspector appointed by the Financial Secretary, or by any person acting under the authority of the Financial Secretary, that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that there are on any premises any books or papers of which production ought to be made but has not been made under section 145 or of which production has been required by virtue of section 152A and which have not been produced in compliance with that requirement, the magistrate may issue a warrant authorizing any police officer, together with other persons named in the warrant and any other police officer, to enter the premises specified in the information (using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose) and to search the premises and take possession of any books or papers appearing to be such books or papers its aforesaid, or to take, in relation to any books or papers so appearing, any other steps which may appear necessary for preserving them and preventing interference with them. (Amended 72 of 1994 s. 7)
(2) Every warrant issued under this section shall continue in force until the end of the period of 1 month after the date on which it is issued.
(3) Any books or papers of which possession is taken under this section may be retained for a period of 3 months or, if within that period any criminal proceedings to which the books and papers are relevant are commenced, until the conclusion of those proceedings.
(4) A person who obstructs the exercise of a right of entry or search conferred by virtue of a warrant issued under this section, or who obstructs the exercise of a right so conferred to take possession of any books or papers, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine and imprisonment. (Amended 7 of 1990 s. 2)
(Added 6 of 1984 s. 107)
[cf. 1967 c. 81 s. 110 U.K.]