Decision of claims to property by or against the Council

(1) In any municipal area to which a survey of lands, other than lands ordinarily used for the purposes of agriculture only, has been or shall be extended under any law for the time being in force, where any property or any right in or over any property is claimed by or on behalf of the Council, or by any person as against the Council, it shall be lawful for the Director after inquiry of which due notice has been given, to pass an order deciding the claim. (2) Any suit instituted in any civil court after the expiration of one year from the date of any order passed by the Director under sub-section (1) or, if one or more appeals have been made against such order within the period of limitation, then from the date of any order passed by the final appellate authority as determined according to law for the time being in force in the State of Goa shall be dismissed (although limitation has not been set up as a defence) if the suit is brought to set aside such order or if the relief claimed is inconsistent with such order, provided that the plaintiff has had due notice of such order. (3) (a) The powers conferred by this section on a Director may also be exercised by Additional Director; (b) the inquiry referred to in this section shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions relating to conduct of formal inquiry or inquiry contained in any relevant law for the time being in force in the State of Goa.