23. Seizure and detention of mica removed without pass.
(1)Any officer authorized in this behalf by the [State] [The words 'the Crown for the purposes of' repealed by para 3 and Schedule XVI of the A.L.O.] Government may seize any mica which is removed from any place mentioned in sub-section (1), Section 14 by a person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 authorized 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month from the date of detention, the mica shall be forfeited to the [* *] [The Words 'the Crown for the purposes of 11 repealed by para 3 and Schedule XVI of the A.L.O.] [State] [Substituted para 4(1) Schedule XVI of the A.L.O.] Government:Provided that when any such claim is rejected, the claimant may, within three months of the order rejecting the claim, apply to the Civil Court to set aside 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.
