163. [ Rates of rent and damages payable for unauthorized occupation of ryoti land. [Section 163 and 163-A were substituted for the original section 163 by section 86 of the Madras Estates Land (Amendment) Act, 1934 (Madras Act VIII of 1934).]
- A person who unauthorizedly occupies for agricultural purposes ryoti land which at the time of the occupation is not held by any ryot, shall be liable to pay for each revenue year or portion thereof the rent fixed for that land or, if no rent has been fixed, such sum as the Collector may, on application, determine to be fair and equitable.He shall also be liable to pay, as damages for the unauthorized occupation, such sum not exceeding one year's rent as so fixed or determined, as the Collector may on application award, and the landholder may recover all sums due under this section as if they were arrears of rent.
