87. Custody and maintenance of Gram Panchayat records and properties.
(1)The Sarpanch and in his absence the Panch authorised by the Gram Panchayat or by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer in this behalf shall be responsible for the safe custody of the movable property of the Gram Panchayat and such of its records as may be prescribed and immovable property belonging to or vested in the Gram Panchayat shall also remain in his charge.(2)The Panchayat Secretary shall be responsible to maintain up-to-date all the record of the Gram Panchayat in the custody of the Sarpanch or the Panch as under section (1).(3)The Sarpanch or Panch, as the case may be, shall before filing of his nomination papers for election or on vacation of his office due to any cause whatsoever shall handover complete charge of such record and property to the Block Development and Panchayat Officer.(4)If the Sarpanch or the Panch fails to handover such records or property as specified in sub-section (1) within the period as may be prescribed, the Block Development and Panchayat Officer may apply to an Executive Magistrate within whose jurisdiction the Gram Sabha area is situated for securing from such Sarpanch or Panch such records or property, as the case may be.(5)On receipt of an application under sub-section (4), the Executive Magistrate may, by an order, authorise any police officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector to enter and search any place where such records or property are kept or are believed to be kept, and to seize them and the records and property so seized shall be handed over as soon as possible to the Block Development and Panchayat Officer concerned.(6)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, whoever, in contravention of the provisions of this section wilfully evades the handing over of such record or property shall, on conviction by Judicial Magistrate of the Ist class be punishable with imprisonment either description which may extend to 3 yrs. or with fine or with both.
