62 Custody and release of records

 

(1) Where the Commissioner seizes any books of accounts or other documents, he shall give the dealer or the person present on his behalf, as the case may be, a receipt for the same and obtain acknowledgement of the receipt so given to him.

PROVIDED that if the dealer or person from whose custody the books of accounts or other documents are seized refuses to give an acknowledgement, the Commissioner may leave the receipt at the premises and record this fact.

(2) The Commissioner shall keep in his custody the books of accounts, registers, other documents seized under section 60 of this Act for a period not exceeding one year, and thereafter shall return the same to the dealer or person from whose custody or power they were seized;

PROVIDED that the Commissioner may, before returning the books of accounts, registers and other documents, require the dealer or the person, as the case may be, to give a written undertaking that the books of accounts, registers and other documents shall be presented whenever required by the Commissioner for any proceedings under this Act:

PROVIDED FURTHER that the Commissioner shall, when requested, allow the person whose books of accounts, registers and documents have been seized, reasonable access to the books of accounts, registers and documents for the purpose of inspection and shall allow the person the opportunity to make copies thereof at the persons own expense.

PROVIDED ALSO that the period of custody of the books of accounts, registers and other documents seized under section 60 of this Act may be extended beyond one year if any proceedings under this Act are pending or for reasons to be recorded by the Commissioner in writing.