Power of Sub-divisional Officer to recover records and money

(1) Where on the application of a Grama Panchayat the Sub-divisional Officer is of the opinion that nay person, who in the capacity of a member, Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch or Officer or other employee of the Said Grama Panchayat had in his custody any record or money belonging to it, after his removal or suspension from or the termination of his Office is not likely to deliver such record or pay such money, the Sub-divisional Officer may, by a written order, require that the record or money so detained be delivered or paid to the Grama Panchayat forthwith. (2) If any such person as aforesaid shall not deliver the record or pay the money as directed, it shall be lawful for the Sub-divisional Officer- (a) for recovering such money, to direct that such money be recovered as an arrear of land revenue and on such direction being given such money shall be recoverable as arrear of land revenue from such person; and (b) for recovering any such record to issue a search warrant and to exercise all such powers with respect thereto as may be lawfully exercised by a Magistrate under the provisions of Chapter VII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898). (3) No action under Sub-Section (1) or (2) shall be taken unless reasonable opportunity has been given to the person concerned to show cause why such action should not be taken against him.