(1) Whenever any Magistrate has reason to believe
(a) that any person residing within the local limits of his jurisdiction has in his possession any arms or ammunition for any unlawful purpose, or
(b) that such person cannot be left in the possession of any arms or ammunition without danger to the public peace or safety,
the Magistrate may, after having recorded the reasons for his belief, cause a search to be made of the house or premises occupied by such person or in which the Magistrate has reason to believe that such arms or ammunition are or is to be found and may have such arms or ammunition, if any, seized and detain the same in safe custody for such period as he thinks necessary, although that person may be entitled by virtue of this Act or any other law for the time being in force to have the same in his possession.
(2) Every search under this section shall be conducted by or in the presence of a Magistrate or by or in the presence of some officer specially empowered in this behalf by the Central Government.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 22
Section 22 authorizes magistrates and empowered police officers to search vessels, vehicles, and conveyances where arms or ammunition are reasonably suspected to be unlawfully kept or transported, and to seize such articles.
In vehicular recovery cases, verify whether the police complied with search protocols: was a search warrant obtained, or if conducted under emergency powers, were the reasons for belief recorded in writing prior to stopping the vehicle? Cross-examine the investigating officer on the vehicle logbook and verify whether independent witnesses witnessed the vehicular search under Section 100 CrPC / Section 103 BNSS.