Power to recover records and articles and recover money

Power to recover records and articles and recover money --

1. (1) Where the prescribed authority is of the opinion that any person has in his possession any record or articles or money of the Gram Panchayat [or Gram Nirman Samiti and Gram Vikas Samiti] [or Gram Sabha Samiti] it may, by a written order, require that such record or articles or money be delivered or paid forthwith to such officer as the prescribed authority may appoint in this behalf to the Gram Panchayat or Gram Nirman Samiti and Gram Vikas Samiti or Gram Sabha Samiti.
2. (2) If any person fails to deliver the record or articles or pay the money as directed under sub-section
3. (1) or refuses to do so, the prescribed authority may seize the record or articles or may cause the money to be recovered and may order him to be arrested and sent to civil jail for a period not exceeding 30 days.
4. (3) The prescribed authority may -
   • (a) for the recovery of any such money direct that such money be recovered as arrears of land revenue, and
   • (b) issue search warrant for the recovery of any such record or articles and may exercise all such powers as may be lawfully exercised by a Magistrate under the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (No. 2 of 1974).
5. (4) No action shall be taken under sub-section
6. (1) or (2),
7. (3) unless the person concerned is given a reasonable opportunity to show cause as to why such action should not be taken against him.
8. (5) Any person against whom any action is taken under this section shall be disqualified for being a member of any Panchayat or Gram Nirman Samiti and Gram Vikas Samiti or Gram Sabha Samiti for a period of six years from the commencement of such action.