Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Jammu and Kashmir Treasure Trove Act, 1954

General195425 sections

The Jammu and Kashmir Treasure Trove Act, 1954, establishes a legal framework for managing valuable items discovered hidden in the soil or structures. It mandates that finders of such "treasure" must notify the local Tehsildar, who then reports to the Deputy Commissioner. The Act balances the interests of the finder, the landowner, and the State, often dividing the treasure equally between the government and the private parties involved. It provides procedures for resolving ownership disputes through civil courts and imposes penalties, including potential imprisonment, for those who fail to report findings or attempt to conceal the identity of the treasure.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title
  2. 2. Application
  3. 3. The finder of such a treasure shall be entitled to such a compensation as may be deemed reasonable by an authority after taking into consideration the value of the treasure or rate prevalent therein.
  4. 4. Owner
  5. 5. Notice by finder of treasure
  6. 6. Procedure by Tehsildar on receiving notice
  7. 7. Procedure by the Deputy Commissioner on the report of Tehsildar
  8. 8. Notification requiring claimants to appear
  9. 9. Forfeiture of right on failure to appear
  10. 10. Matters to be enquired into and determined by the Deputy Commissioner or Tehsildar
  11. 11. Treasure how to be divided
  12. 12. Time to be allowed for suit by persons claiming the treasure
  13. 13. When treasure may be declared ownerless. Appeal against such declaration
  14. 14. Subject to such appeal every such declaration shall be conclusive.
  15. 15. When no other person claims as owner of place, etc., finder to be declared owner
  16. 16. When only one such person claims and his claim is not disputed, treasure to be divided; and when the person other than the finder so claimed and the claim of such person is disputed
  17. 17. In case of dispute as to ownership of place, etc., treasure to be deposited
  18. 18. Settlement of such dispute
  19. 19. And division
  20. 20. Power to acquire the treasure on behalf of Government
  21. 21. Decision of Deputy Commissioner to be final and suit against him for acts done bona fide
  22. 22. Officer making an enquiry to exercise powers of Civil Court
  23. 23. Power to make rules
  24. 24. Penalty on finder failing to give notice
  25. 25. Penalty on owner abetting offence

PDF: pending for this language.