Ancient Monuments Preservation Act,1904
Act No : 7
Section : POWER TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL TRAFFICE IN ANTIQUITIES
SECTION 17: POWER TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL TRAFFICE IN ANTIQUITIES
- (1) If the16[Central Government] apprehends that antiquities are being sold or removed to the detriment of India or of any neighbouring country, lit] may, by notification' in the16[Official Gazette], prohibit or restrict the bringing or taking by sea or by land of any antiquities or class of antiquities described in the notification into or out of16[the territories to which this Act extends] or any specified part of16[the said territories].
(2) Any person who brings or takes or attempts to bring or take any such antiquities into or out of16[the said territories] or any part of16[the said territories] in contravention of a notification issued under sub-section (1), shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
(3) Antiquities in respect of which an offence referred to in sub-section (2) has been committed shall be liable to confiscation.
(4) An officer of Customs, or an officer of Police of a grade not lower than Sub-Inspector, duly empowered by the16[Central Government] in this behalf, may search any vessel, cart or other means of conveyance, and may open any baggage or package of goods, if he has reason to believe that goods in respect of which an offence has been committed under sub-section (2) are contained therein.
(5) A person who complains that the power of search mentioned in sub-section (4) has been vexatiously or improperly exercised may address his complaint to the16[Central Government], and the16[Central Government] shall pass such order and may award such compensation, if any, as appears to it to be just.
Read All Comments
