26Power to intercept postal articles for public good

(1) On the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety or tranquility, the Central Government, or a State Government, or any officer specially authorized in this behalf ¹[by the Central or the State Government], may, by order in writing direct that any postal article or class or description of postal articles in course of transmission by post shall be intercepted or detained, or ²[shall be disposed of in such manner as the authority issuing the order may direct].

(2) If any doubt arises as to the existence of a public emergency, or as to whether any act done under sub-section (1) was in the interest of the public safety or tranquility, a certificate ³[of the Central Government or, as the case may be, of the State Government] shall be conclusive proof on the point.