23. Recovery of public money or property from revenue officers or other persons.
(1)The Deputy Commissioner of his own motion, if the Revenue Officer or other person is or was serving in his Department and district, and upon the application of the [Joint Director of Land Records or the Joint Director for Settlement] [Substituted by Act 21 of 2003 w.e.f. 26.5.2003.], if such officer or person is or was serving in the Survey and Land Records Department in his district, may,-(a)take proceedings to recover any public moneys due by such officer or person in the same manner and subject to the same rules as are applicable for the recovery of arrears of land revenue from a defaulter; and(b)issue a search warrant for the purpose of recovering public papers or other property of the State Government, and exercise all such powers with respect thereto as may be lawfully exercised by a Magistrate under the provisions of Chapter VII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.(2)It shall be the duty of all persons in possession of such public moneys, papers or other property of the State Government to make over the same forthwith to the Deputy Commissioner, and every person knowing where any such property is concealed shall be bound to give information of the same to the Deputy Commissioner.(3)Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (2) shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.
