16. Seizure and detention of mica removed without pass.
(1)Any officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government may cease any mica which is removed from any place mentioned in subsection 1 of section 11 by a person who does not carry a pass as required by that sub-section or who does not produce such pass when required to do so, and may detain such mica at the nearest police station until the ownership thereof is established to the satisfaction of any Magistrate authorised in this behalf by the Controller.(2)If the ownership of such mica is disputed or if the ownership thereof is not established to the satisfaction of the Magistrate, he shall refer the matter to the Controller. If any claim made to the ownership of such mica is rejected by the Controller, or if no claim is made within one month from the date of detention, the mica shall be forfeited to the State Government:Provided that when any such claim is rejected, the claimant, may, within 3 months from the order rejecting the claim, apply to the civil court to set a side such order and the court., if satisfied that such claimant is the owner of the mica, shall make an order for the delivery' thereof to him.
