Owner to furnish security

(1) Where it appears to the Assessing Authority necessary so to do, for the proper realisation of the tax or surcharge levied under this Act, it may, after giving an opportunity of being heard require any owner to furnish security of an amount not exceeding twenty thousand rupees in the manner prescribed. (2) Where the security furnished by an owner under sub-section (1) is in the form of surety bond and the surety becomes insolvent or is otherwise incapacitated or dies or withdraws, the owner shall, within fifteen days of the occurrence of any of the aforesaid events, inform the Assessing Authority and shall within thirty days of such occurrence furnish a fresh surety bond. (3) The Assessing Authority may, by an order in writing for good and sufficient cause and after giving the owner a reasonable opportunity of being heard, forfeit the whole or any part of the security furnished by the owner for realising any amount of tax or penalty payable by him under this Act. (4) Where by reason of an order under sub-section (3), the security furnished by any owner is rendered insufficient, he shall make up the deficiency in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed. (5) The Assessing Authority may, on application by an owner, release the security furnished by him or any part thereof, if the same is no longer required to be retained for the purposes of this Act.