Section 17
(1) If the Central Government apprehends that antiquities are being sold or removed to the detriment of India or of any neighboring country, it may, by notification in the official Gazette, prohibit or restrict the bringing or taking by sea or by land of any antiquities or class of antiquities described in the notification into or out of the territories to which this Act extends or any specified part of the said territories.
17. (1) If the Central Government apprehends that antiquities are being sold or removed to the detriment of India or of any neighboring country, it may, by notification in the official Gazette, prohibit or restrict the bringing or taking by sea or by land of any antiquities or class of antiquities described in the notification into or out of the territories to which this Act extends or any specified part of the said territories.
(2) Any person who brings or takes or attempts to bring or take any such antiquities into or out of (the said territories) or any part of the said territories in contravention of a notification issued under subsection (1), shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
(3) Antiquities in respect of which an offence referred to in sub-section (2) has been committed shall be liable to confiscation.
(4) An officer of Customs, or an officer of Police of a grade not lower than Sub-Inspector, duly empowered by the Central Government in his behalf, may search any vessel, cart or other means of conveyance, and may open any baggage or package of goods, if he has reason to believe that goods in respect of which an offence has been committed under sub-section (2) are contained therein.
(5) A person who complains that the power of search, mentioned in sub-section (4) has seen vexatiously or improperly exercised may address his complaint to the Central Government and the Central government shall pass such order and may award such compensation, if any, as appears to it to be just.