The Bhopal Gas Trasadi (Jangam Sampatti Ke Vikrayon Ka Shoonya Ghoshit Kiya Jana) Adhiniyam, 1985

(1) This Act may be called the Bhopal Gas Trasadi (Jangam Sampatti Ke Vikrayon Ka Shoonya Ghoshit Kiya Jana) Adhiniyam, 1985. (2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 24th day of January, 1985.

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,— "affected area" means the area comprised within the limits of Municipal Corporation, Bhopal.

(1) Any person residing in the affected area who has under panic caused leakage of injurious gas from Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal sold any of his movable property during the period 3rd December, 1984 to 24th December, 1984 to any person may apply to the competent authority to be appointed by the State Government with shall not be below the rank of Collector for declaring the transaction of sale to be void. (2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall contain the following particularly namely:- (i) name of the seller with address; (ii) name of the purchaser with address, (iii) details of movable property sold; (iv) consideration received; (v) date and place of sale; and (vi) such other particulars as may be required. (3) The statements in the application shall be verified by the applicant in manner required by law for the verification of plaints.

(1) The competent authority may on receipt of an application under section 3, in the circumstances of the case deem whether the transaction of sale is of the nature specified in section 3 and that section 3 applies to such transaction, it shall after recording reasons to conduct an enquiry into such transaction in the manner as it may think fit provided. (2) The competent authority shall by a notice served on the parties to the transaction inform them to place all relevant facts and documents before it at the place and on the date and time specified in the notice. (3) The competent authority shall at the place and at the date and time specified in the notice after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard and after such enquiry as it may deem proper, decide whether the transaction of sale of movable property is of the nature described in section 3 and if it is satisfied that the sale was made under panic, it may pass an order declaring the transaction to be void.

(1) If after the enquiry the competent authority is satisfied that— (i) the transaction of sale is of the nature specified in section 3; and (ii) the consideration paid in such transaction of sale was not adequate according to the market value of such property prevalent on the date of sale, it shall declare such transaction to be void notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and shall— (a) pass an order to return the property sold on repayment of the amount of consideration by the seller; (b) if the purchaser fails to return the property within fifteen days of the order passed under clause (a) or where in the opinion of the competent authority it is not feasible to return the property, pass order directing the purchaser to pay the difference of price under sub-section (2); (c) pass such other consequential orders as may be necessary. (2) Where the purchaser fails to return the property or for any reason to be recorded in writing it is not possible to return the property to the seller, the competent authority shall fix the price of such property according to the market value of such property prevalent on the date of sale and order the purchaser to pay the difference, if any, between the price so fixed and the amount of consideration actually paid to the seller within a period of fifteen days. (3) If the purchaser fails to pay the difference of price ordered to be paid under sub-section (2) within the period specified therein the same shall be recoverable as an arrear of land revenue and the amount so recovered shall be paid to the seller.

Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 5, shall, without prejudice to any action that may be taken by the competent authority under sub-section (3) of section 5, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.

Any person aggrieved by an order of the competent authority under section 5, may within a period of thirty days of passing of such order, appeal to such authority as may be appointed by the State Government in this behalf, in such form and manner as may be prescribed and accompanied such fee: Provided that in computing the period aforesaid, time requisite for obtaining the copy of the order appealed against shall be excluded.

Every order by the appellete authority in appeal or any order of the competent authority shall, if no appeal is filed, be final and shall not be called in question in any court, tribunal or authority by way of appeal or revision or in any original suit application or execution proceeding.

No civil court shall have any jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal with any question which is by or under this Act required to be settled, decided or dealt with by the competent authority or the Appellate Authority.

All enquiries and proceedings before the competent authority appellate authority shall be deemed to be judicial proceeding with in the meaning of section 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (No. 45 of 1860) and for the purposes of section 196 thereof.

The Bhopal Gas Trasadi (Jangam Sampatti Ke Vikrayon Ka Shoonya Ghoshit Kiya Jana) Adhyadesh, 1985 (No. 4 of 1985) is hereby repealed.