Who can order for search and seizure and under what circumstances?

1. Proper officer not below the rank of Joint Commissioner can himself or authorize any other CGST officer in FORM GST INS-01 (Chapter-XVII-Inspection, Search and Seizure of the CGST Rules) to carry out search and seize goods, documents, books or things.
2. Such authorization can be given only where the proper officer has reasons to believe that any goods liable to confiscation or any documents or books or things, which in his opinion shall be useful for or relevant to any proceedings under this Act, are secreted / hidden in any place.
3. Where any goods, documents, books or things are liable for seizure, the proper officer or an authorized officer shall make an order of seizure in FORM GST INS-02.

(ICAI FAQ PUBLICATIONS : – 06-09-2017 -INSPECTION, SEARCH, SEIZURE AND ARREST  : FAQ NO.6)