Penalty for not handing over of records and other properties of village administration

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law,-

1. (a) any part-time Village Officer who ceases to be such part-time village Officer under section 3, shall, on demand, hand over immediately any records any properties of the Village Administration, which are in, or have come into his possession or control, to the officer appointed under section 13;
2. (b) if any such part-time Village Officer fails to comply with the provisions of clause (a),-
   • (i) it shall be lawful for any officer of the Revenue Department not below the rank of a Deputy Tahsildar authorized by the competent authority to enter any building or place where such officer has reason to believe that the part-time Village Officer keeps or is for the time being keeping and records and properties of the village administration and search and seize any such records and properties in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; and the power to search and seize shall include the power to break open any box or reeptacle in which such records and properties may be kept or to break open the door of any premises where the records and properties may be kept.
   • (ii) without prejudice to any action being taken under subclause (i), such part-time Village Officer shall be liable for prosecution and on conviction by a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.