Validation of levy of penal assessment before the passing of Act; Saving of pending suits

Every proceeding taken by a Collector for the recovery of any sum of money by way of penal or prohibitory assessment or charge from any person who has unauthorizedly occupied any land hereby declared to be the property of Government shall, if such sum has been recovered prior to the passing of this Act, be deemed to have been lawfully taken, provided that this section shall not apply to any suits pending when this Act comes into force in a Court of First Instance or in a Court of Appeal or affect the validity and operation of any decree or order already passed by a court of competent jurisdiction.