Section 40 of Madras District Police Act, 1865

Breaking open Zenanah or female apartment.—If information be received that a person accused of any offence for which a warrant may issue, has concealed himself in a Zenanah or female apartment in the actual occupancy of women, the Officer employed to execute the warrant shall take such precautions as may be necessary to prevent the escape of the accused; and if such person shall not deliver himself up, the Police Officer authorized to execute the warrant, may break open the Zenanah, and execute the process intrusted to him giving notice at the same time to any woman in the Zenanah that she is at liberty to withdraw.