25. Establishment of depots for safe custody of loads.
(1)The Collector shall provide one or more suitable depots at which goods carried by animals or things impressed under this Act may be deposited.(2)Any person depositing any goods at a depot shall on demand by the person in charge of the depot give to the best of his information the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee of the goods and of the owner of the animal or thing by or in which the goods were being carried and a description of the goods.(3)The Collector shall cause a notice to be sent by registered post to the consignor and consignee of the goods, informing them of the deposit of the goods and calling upon the consignee to take delivery thereof.(4)If delivery of goods is not taken within three months from date of the deposit, the Collector may cause them to be sold by auction, provided that if the goods are perishable they may be sold forthwith.(5)The responsibility of the [Central Government] [Substituted for the words 'Local Government' by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937.] for the loss, destruction or deterioration of goods deposited at a depot under this section shall be that of a bailee under section 151 and 152 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, provided that the [Central Government] [Substituted for the words 'Local Government' by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937.] shall not be liable for any loss resulting in any way from the detention of the goods or from their sale under sub-section (4).(6)The Collector shall pay the sum realised from the sale to the person who appears to him to be entitled thereto, and after such payment no suit to recover such sum or any part thereof shall be brought against the [Government by any person claiming to be entitled thereto] [Substituted for the word 'Crown' by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.]:Provided that nothing herein contained shall affect the liability of any person to whom any sum has been paid by the Collector under this sub- section to pay the same to the person lawfully entitled thereto.
