(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any police officer, not below the rank of a Inspector, or any other officer of the Central Government or State Government authorised by the Central Government in this behalf may enter any public place and search and arrest without warrant any person who is reasonably suspected of having committed or of committing or of being about to commit any offence under this Act.
(2) Where any person is arrested under sub-section (1) by an officer other than a police officer, such officer shall, without unnecessary delay, take or send the person arrested before a Magistrate having jurisdiction in the case or before the officer-in-charge of a police station.
(3) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall, subject to the provisions of this section, apply, so far as may be, in relation to any entry, search or arrest, made under this section.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 80
Section 80 confers extraordinary powers of entry, search, and arrest without warrant upon police officers and authorized government officers in public places, subject to strict conditions of reasonable suspicion and immediate post-search procedural reporting.
Note that Section 80 warrantless powers apply strictly to 'public places'; if police search private commercial data centres or residential premises without a search warrant obtained from a Magistrate under Section 93 CrPC, challenge the search as unconstitutional and ultra vires.