Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(1) On admission into a prison, all prisoners shall be thoroughly searched using walk-through, hand-held metal detectors, or through any other detection device approved by the Director General. The search shall not be undertaken by a prison officer who is not of the same gender as the prisoner being searched. (2) The search shall be of the three different types which may be justified under different circumstances as per the judgment of the staff member conducting the search as follows: - (a) an examination of the prisoner's person and clothing which may involve removal of the headgear, muffler, sweater, jacket, overcoat, or any other outer clothing item; or (b) removal and examination of all clothing items of the prisoner; or (c) examination of the newly admitted (or on surrender from parole/furlough/ interim bail) prisoner's body after removal of all clothing items including invasive searching of the orifices of the prisoner’s body in as seemly a manner as is consistent with the necessity of discovering any concealed article: Provided that search in clause (b) or (c) above shall not be conducted in the presence or view of another prisoner and shall be conducted in the presence and be viewed by prison officers, not less than two and of the same gender as the prisoner, as are required for the effective conduct of the search. (3) The search shall be carried out with regard to decency, privacy and dignity of the prisoner being searched and at no stage shall a prisoner be left in a state of complete undress. (4) A prisoner shall cooperate and submit to search as and when ordered to do so. However, invasive searching of the orifices of a prisoner’s body shall be conducted on specific orders of the Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent by the medical staff. (5) If a prisoner refuses to allow the search, such force as is reasonably necessary and proportionate to carry out the search in relation to the prisoner, may be applied. (6) Where in the course of a search, a prison officer finds or comes into possession of anything that he believes to be related to the commission or alleged commission of an offence, he may seize and retain it for use as evidence in any criminal proceedings, or in relation to any proceedings for a breach of prison discipline, for such period from the date of seizure as is reasonable or, until the conclusion of any such proceedings. (7) A register of articles seized shall be maintained by the Deputy Superintendent (Security) and the following details shall be entered in it, namely:- (a) particulars of the item so seized; (b) name of the person from whom it was seized; (c) name of the person by whom it was seized; (d) whether retained or disposed off; (e) details of storage if retained; (f) the manner in which the seized article is disposed off; and (g) such other particulars as the Superintendent considers appropriate. Removal of personal belongings, articles from prisoner.