Power of Government to control traffic in antiquities.

(1) If 1[the Government] apprehends that antiquities are being sold or removed to the detriment of the State or of any neighbouring country, it may, by notification in the Government Gazette, prohibit or restrict the bringing or taking of any antiquities or class of antiquities described in the notification into or out of the State or any specified part of the State. (2) Any persons who brings or takes or attempts to bring or take any such antiquities into or out of the State or any part of the State in contravention of a notification issued under sub-section (1), shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1[twenty thousand rupees, or with imprisonment which may extend to three months or with both]. (3) Antiquities in respect of which an offence referred to in sub-section (2) has been committed shall be liable to confiscation. (4) A Revenue Officer not lower in rank than a Naib-Tehsildar, 2[an Officer of Police not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or an Officer of Archaeology Department not below the rank of Assistant Director], duly empowered by 3[the Government] in this behalf, may search any vessel, cart or other means of conveyance, and may open any baggage or package of goods, if he has reasons to believe that goods in respect of which an offence has been committed under sub-section (2) are contained therein. (5) A person who complains that the power of search mentioned in sub-section (4) has been vexatiously or improperly exercised may address his complaint to 3[the Government] and 3[the Government] shall pass such order and may award such compensation, if any, as appears to it to be just.