Purchase of antiquities by Government

Purchase of antiquities by Government.—(1) If the Government apprehends that any antiquity mentioned in a notification issued under sub-section

1. (1) of section 22 is in danger of being destroyed, removed, injured, misused or allowed to fall into decay or is of opinion that, by reason of its historical or archeological importance, it is desirable to preserve such antiquity in a public place, the Government may make an order for the compulsory purchase of such antiquity at its market value and the Deputy Commissioner shall thereupon give notice to the owner of the antiquity to be purchased.
2. (2) Where a notice of compulsory purchase is issued under sub-section (1), in respect of any antiquity, such antiquity shall vest in the Government with effect from the date of notice.
3. (3) The power of compulsory purchase given by this section shall not extend to any image or symbol actually used for bona fide religious observances.