Section 20 in The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
20. Power of [Central Government] to notify areas as protected
.-(1) If the [Central Government] [ Substituted by A.O. 1937.] [* * *] [The words " after consulting the Local Government" repealed by A.O. 1937. ] is of opinion that excavation for archaeological purposes in any area should be restricted and regulated in the interest of archaeological research, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette specifying the boundaries of the area, declare it to be a protected area.(2)From the date of such notification all antiquities buried in the protected area shall be the property of [the Government] [Substituted by A.O. 1950, for " Crown" . ] and shall be deemed to be in the possession of [the Government] [Substituted by A.O. 1950, for " Crown" . ], and shall remain the property and in the possession of [the Government] [Substituted by A.O. 1950, for " Crown" . ] until ownership thereof is transferred; but in all other respects the rights of any owner or occupier of land in such area shall not be affected.
