Section 16A
Power to seal
Where the Director General or any authorized officer has reasonable cause to believe that any house, building, premise or other place is being used as a care centre which is not registered under the provisions of this Act, the Director General or the authorized officer may take such steps as he may deem necessary or by any means seal such care centre.
(2)
The person using the house, building, premise or place as a care centre which has been sealed shall—
(a)
within twenty-one days of such seal produce to the
Director General or the authorized officer the certificate of registration of the care centre; and
(b)
bear any cost incurred arising out of such action.
(3)
The seal shall be removed if—
(a)
such person complies with the requirement of subsection
(2)
; or
(b)
an order of the court is obtained against such person for him to cease using the house, building, premise or place as a care centre, whichever is the earlier.
(4)
The Director General or the authorized officer acting under this section shall not be liable for any cost arising out of such action or damages to the house, building, premise or place sealed under this section unless such damage was wilfully done.
(5)
Any action taken under this section in respect of any house, building, premise or other place shall not prohibit the prosecution of any person using such house, building, premise or place as a care centre in contravention of this Act.
Care Centres 17