Contested claim.

1. (1) In the case of a contested claim, the Competent Authority shall investigate the claim by taking on record all evidence produced by the claimant and he shall decide the case within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the claim, after such inquiry as he deems fit to make, and issue notice of the decision to the parties concerned.
2. (2) Inquiry to be conducted by the Competent Authority under sub-section (1) shall be of summary nature and for the purpose of such inquiry the Competent Authority may summon and examine on oath any person and may compel production of any document or thing. The decision of the Competent Authority under sub-section (1) shall be final: Provided that nothing contained in this section shall prevent the Competent Authority from disposing

of any perishable articles which come into his possession by public auction in the manner prescribed, at any time before the decision on the claim, and if the claimant is successful in proving his claim, the sale proceeds shall be handed over to the claimant.

CHAPTER-V Miscellaneous