Inquiry by Forest Settlement Officer

The Forest Settlement Officer shall take down in writing all statements made under section 22 and shall at some convenient place inquire into all claims duly preferred under that section and the existence of any rights mentioned in sub-section (3) of section 21 other than landlord's rights and not claimed under section 22 so far as the same may be ascertainable from the records of Government and the evidence of any persons likely to be acquainted with the same.