Recovery of property tax on land or building or any other tax or charge in the case of unknown owner of land or premise or dispute ownership

Recovery of property tax on land or building or any other tax or charge in the case of unknown owner of land or premise or dispute ownership:

1. (1) If any money is due under this Act from the owner of any land or premises on account of property tax or any other tax, expenses or charges recoverable under this Act, and if the owner of such land or premises is unknown or the ownership thereof is disputed, the Chairman may publish twice, at an interval of not less than two months, a notification of such dues and of sale of such land or premises for realisation thereof and after the expiry of not less than one month from the date of last publication of the notification, unless the amount recoverable is paid, may sell such land or premises by public auction to the highest bidder, who shall deposit, at the time of sale, twenty-five percent of the purchase money, and the balance thereof within thirty days of the date of sale. Such notification shall be published in the Official Gazette and in local newspaper and by displaying on the land or the premises concerned.
2. (2) After deducting the amount due to the Municipality as aforesaid, the surplus sale proceeds, if any, shall be credited to the Municipal Fund and may be paid, on demand, to any person who establishes his right thereto to the satisfaction of the Chairman or a court of competent jurisdiction.
3. (3) Any person may pay the amount due at any time before the completion of the sale, whereupon the sale shall be abandoned.