Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958

No.24 of 1958

[28th August, 1958]

<

Contents
Sections	Particulars
1	Short title, extent and commencement
2	Definitions
3	Certain ancient monuments, etc., deemed to be of national importance
4	Power of Central Government to declare ancient monuments, etc., to be of national importance
5	Acquisition of rights in a protected monument
6	Preservation of protected monument by agreement
7	Owners under disability or not in possession
8	Application of endowment to repair a protected monument
9	Failure or refusal to enter into an agreement
10	Power to make order prohibiting contravention of agreement under section 6
11	Enforcement of agreements
12	Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by instrument executed by owner
13	Acquisition of protected monuments
14	Maintenance of certain protected monuments
15	Voluntary contributions
16	Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration
17	Relinquishment of Government rights in a monument
18	Right of access to protected monuments
19	Restrictions on enjoyment of property rights in protected areas
20	Power to acquire protected area
21	Excavations in protected areas
22	Excavations in areas other than protected areas
23	Compulsory purchase of antiquities, etc., discovered during excavation operations
24	Excavations, etc., for archaeological purposes
25	Power of Central Government to control moving of antiquities
26	Purchase of antiquities by Central Government
27	Compensation for loss or damage
28	Assessment of market value or compensation
29	Delegation of powers
30	Penalties
31	Jurisdiction to try offences
32	Certain offences to be cognizable
33	Special provision regarding fine
34	Recovery of amounts due to the Government
35	Ancient monuments, etc.
36	Power to correct mistakes, etc
37	Protection of action taken under the Act
38	Power to make rules
39	Repeals and savings

An act to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological site and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.

Comment: we avail this opportunity to direct the government of India to maintain all national monuments under the respective acts referred to above and to ensure that all of them are properly maintained so that the cultural and historical heritage of India and the beauty and grandeur of the monuments, sculptures secured through breathless and passionate labor workmen ship, craftsmanship and the skills of the Indian architects, artists and masons is continued to be preserved. Rajeev mankotia v. Secretary to the president of India, air 1997 supreme court 2766

Be it enacted by parliament in the ninth year of the republic of India as follows:-