Power of District and Subdivisional Magistrate to remove encroachments

Power of District and Subdivisional Magistrate to remove encroachments- Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 159 and 161, a District Magistrate or a Subdivisional Magistrate may within his jurisdiction, on being so empowered by the State Government, order any person responsible for any obstruction or encroachment or projection as specified in Sections 159 and 161 to remove or alter such obstruction or encroachment or projection within a period not less than forty-eight hours and on non-compliance with such order may take all necessary steps to remove or alter such obstruction or encroachment or projection and realize the expenses thereby incurred from the person concerned as fine in a Criminal Court: Provided that in case the person or person responsible for such obstruction, encroachment or projection is/are not known or cannot be found the procedure laid down in Section 160 shall be followed.