Section 19 in The ANCIENT MONUMENTS PRESERVATION ACT, 1977(1920 A.D.)
19. Purchase of sculptures carvings or like object by the Government.––
(1)If 2[the Government] apprehend that any object mentioned in a notification issuedunder section 18, sub-section (1) is in danger of being destroyed, removed, injuredor allowed to fall into decay, 2[the Government] may pass orders for the compulsorypurchase of such object at its market value, and the 3[Director, Archaeology] shallthereupon give notice to the owner of the object to be purchased.(2)The power of compulsory purchase given by this section shall notextend to––(a)any image or symbol actually used for the purpose of any religiousobservance ; or(b)anything which the owner desires to retain on any reasonableground personal to himself or to any of his ancestors or to anymember of his family.ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION
