Section 29

Section 29 is the practical access power that makes Section 28's investigatory framework operational. Where Section 28 imports Income-tax Act search and seizure powers (which apply to physical premises and documents), Section 29 specifically addresses the digital dimension: access to computer systems, apparatus, data, and connected material. The access power is triggered by 'reasonable cause to suspect' a contravention has been, is being, or is about to be committed — a forward-looking threshold that allows access before a contravention is complete, enabling preventive action against a CA that appears to be about to issue fraudulent certificates. The phrase 'notwithstanding anything contained in any other law' in Section 29(1) overrides potentially conflicting provisions in other legislation, including provisions that might otherwise protect the confidentiality of computer systems or data. This override is necessary because a Certifying Authority will operate computer systems containing sensitive subscriber data and cryptographic key material — Section 29 ensures that these confidentiality interests cannot be used to obstruct a legitimate regulatory investigation. Section 29(2) creates an affirmative duty to cooperate: any person in charge of or concerned with a computer system must provide 'reasonable technical and other assistance' to the Controller or authorised officer. This duty to assist is critical in investigations involving complex technical systems where the investigator may not have the technical knowledge to navigate the system without operator assistance.