Acquisition of rights in or guardianship of an ancient monument.

(1) The Director, Archaeology, with the sanction of the Government, may purchase or take a lease of any protected monument. (2) The Director, Archaeology, with the like sanction, may accept a gift or bequest of any protected monument. (3) The owner of any protected monument may, by written instrument, constitute the Director, Archaeology the guardian of the monument, and the Minister may, with the sanction of the Government accept such guardianship. (4) When the Director, Archaeology has accepted the guardianship of a monument under sub-section (3), the owner shall, except as expressly provided in this Act, have the same estate, right, title and interest in and to the monument as if the Director, Archaeology had not been constituted guardian thereof. (5) When the Director, Archaeology has accepted the guardianship of a monument under sub-section (3), the provisions of this Act relating to agreements executed under section 5 shall apply to the written instrument executed under the said sub-section. (6) Where a protected monument is without an owner, the Director, Archaeology may, with the prior sanction of the Government, assume the guardianship of the monument.