Which of the following is a ground for Stop and Search?

• A. Public nuisance
• B. Disorderly conduct
• C. Offensive weapons
• D. Shoplifting

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that stop and search powers are tied to specific things a person might be carrying, not just to their behavior. An officer can stop and search someone when there is reasonable suspicion they are in possession of items that could be used in crime or to harm others. Offensive weapons are one of those explicit grounds because weapons pose an immediate risk to safety, so detecting and removing them helps prevent harm in public spaces.

Public nuisance and disorderly conduct describe behaviors or offenses, not objects the person is carrying, so they don’t by themselves establish a valid stop and search ground. Shoplifting is a theft-related offense; a search could occur if there’s suspicion of possession of stolen goods, but the ground itself isn’t the act of shoplifting—it's about the potential possession of a weapon or stolen/prohibited items. Therefore, the option referring to offensive weapons is the correct ground.