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Section10
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Powers of entry and inspection

In force From 19 Nov 1986 Act 29 of 1986 As on 17 Oct 2026

Act 29 of 1986 Ministry Environment, Forest and Climate Change Enacted 23 May 1986 In force 19 Nov 1986 Cited by 1 provision Instruments 40

Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 deals with powers of entry and inspection. Subject to the provisions of this section, any person empowered by the Central Government in this behalf shall have a right to enter, at all reasonable times with such assistance as he considers necessary, any place-- (a) for the purpose of performing any of the functions of the Central Government e The Act came into force on 19 Nov 1986.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any person empowered by the Central Government in this behalf shall have a right to enter, at all reasonable times with such assistance as he considers necessary, any place--

(a) for the purpose of performing any of the functions of the Central Government entrusted to him;

(b) for the purpose of determining whether and if so in what manner, any such functions are to be performed or whether any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or any notice, order, direction or authorisation served, made, given or granted under this Act is being or has been complied with;

(c) for the purpose of examining and testing any equipment, industrial plant, record, register, document or any other material object or for conducting a search of any building in which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act or the rules made thereunder has been or is being or is about to be committed and for seizing any such equipment, industrial plant, record, register, document or other material object if he has reasons to believe that it may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act or the rules made thereunder or that such seizure is necessary to prevent or mitigate environmental pollution.

1[(2) Every person carrying on any industry, operation or process of handling any hazardous substance shall render assistance, as may be required, to the person empowered by the Central Government under sub-section (1) for carrying out the functions under that sub-section and if he fails to do so without any reasonable cause, he shall be liable to penalty provided under section 14B.

(3) If any person willfully delays or obstructs any person empowered by the Central Government under sub-section (1) in the performance of his functions under sub-sections (1) or (2), he shall be liable to penalty provided under section 14B.

(4) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), shall, so far as may be, apply to any search or seizures under this section as they apply to any search or seizures made under the authority of a warrant issued under section 94 of that Code.]

Section 10, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (Act 29 of 1986).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

This section refers to

  1. s. 14B Penalty for contravention of sections 9, 10 and 11

Referred to by 1

  1. s. 14B Penalty for contravention of sections 9, 10 and 11

Made under this section, and citing it

1 instrument states that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.

Another 39 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 10

What does Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act deal with?

Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act is headed "Powers of entry and inspection". Subject to the provisions of this section, any person empowered by the Central Government in this behalf shall have a right to enter, at all reasonable times with such assistance as he considers necessary, any place-- (a) for the purpose of performing any of the functions of the Central Government e

How do I find court cases under Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Environment Act 10, section 10 Environment Act, section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act, and has it changed?

Its own text turns on section 14B (Penalty for contravention of sections 9, 10 and 11), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities order 2016 dated 07. 10. 2016 (2016).

When did Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act come into force?

Section 10 of the Environment (Protection) Act, cited as Environment Act 10, came into force on 19 Nov 1986, having been enacted on 23 May 1986. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.