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. **Footnotes:** 1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for "by the Governor General in Council". 2. Subs. by Act 3 of 1912, s. 6, for "shall be delivered to the Government or to an officer thereof mentioned in the order, to be disposed of in such manner as the Governor General in Council may direct". 3. Subs. by A.O. 1937, for "singed by a Secretary to the G. of I. or to the L.G.".