51A. [ Information regarding rent-free lands.-] [section 51A inserted by Bengal Act 11 of 1934.]
(1)Every owner, holder or occupier of any rent-free land shall be bound to give on demand to the Collector or to the holder of the estate or tenure within which such land is, for the purposes of this Act, included or to his authorised agent all information in his possession regarding the area, situation and description of the land and the names and addresses of all persons owning, holding or occupying it as may be reasonably required for the purpose of the collection or recovery of the cess due on such land.(2)If any such owner, holder or occupier of rent-free land fails without reasonable excuse to comply with such demand within three months after receiving the same, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred rupees, and the provisions of sub-sections (3) to (7) of section 58 of the Bengal Tenancy Act, 1885, shall, so far as may be, apply to the imposition and recovery of the fine.(3)The Collector may, either on the application of the holder of the estate or tenure within which such rent-free land is included, or of his own motion, summon the owner, holder or occupier of any rent-free land to furnish him with the information referred to in sub-section (I) and such owner, holder or occupier shall furnish such information so far as the same may be in his possession.(4)For the purpose of sub-section (3) the Collector shall have power to summon, and enforce the attendance of, witnesses, and compel the production of documents, in the same manner as is provided in the case of a Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
