1. Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972

2. Object
This is an Act to regulate the export trade in antiquities and art treasures, prevention of its smuggling , compulsory acquisition and preservation in public place

3. Important Definition(S-2) Cl-1
Antiquities
Art Treasures
Licensing Officer

4. Section -3 Regulation of Export trade in Antiquities and Art Treasures
After the commencement of this Act, no person other than the Central Govt. or its authorized agency can export antiquities and treasures . If the govt. decides to make such exports ,it shall be done strictly in accordance with the permit issued.

5. Section – 5 Antiquities to be sold only under a license
After this Act, no person shall sell or offer to sell any antiquity except under a license. The licensing officers shall be appointed by Central govt. under section 6.

6. Section – 7 Application for license
The person desiring to sell the antiquities shall make the application to the licensing officer having the jurisdiction

7. Section – 10 Maintenance of the record, photographs and registers by the licensee
The holder of the license shall be bound to maintain records and registers and make it available for the inspection by the licensing officer

8. Section – 14 Registration of Antiquities
Central govt. may issue the notification specifying certain antiquities which are to be compulsorily registered under this Act. The purpose of such registration shall be conserving such art and preserve such antiquity for appreciation of cultural heritage of India.
Every person who owns or controls such antiquities shall within 3 months from the date of notification shall register such antiquities if the notification covers the items in his ownership.

9. Section – 17 Transfer of ownership of antiquities to be intimated to Registering officers
If the ownership or control over antiquity is transferred, it shall be intimated to registering officer

10. Section 9 – Power of the Central Govt
Section 9 – Power of the Central Govt. to compulsorily acquire antiquities and art treasures
The Central govt. can make the compulsory acquisition of antiquities for preserving it in public places. If the govt. make such decision it shall issue an order and the Collector of Dt. in which such antiquity is kept shall intimate the particulars of the order to the owner of antiquities and which will be followed by taking the possessions by the force, if necessary. The owner of the antiquity can make the representation to the govt. within 30 days and it will meritoriously heard. The govt. can either resent or confirm its previous order. But this compulsory acquisition does not extent to any object which is used in bonfide for religious purpose.

11. Section -20 payment of compensation
Where antiquities are compulsorily acquired ,owner shall be paid with adequate compensation on the basis of either of the agreement between govt. and party or arbitration proceedings.

12. Section – 23 Power of search
Any authorized officer of Central can make the search and seizure under this Act and Rules and to initiate prosecution for its contravention.

13. Section – 24 Power to determine some questions.
If any dispute arises whether an article is antiquity or not ,it shall be referred to the Director General of Archeological Survey of India and his decision on such question shall be final.

14. Section – 25 Penalty
Exporting or attempt to export antiquity without license is punishable up to 3 years with fine apart from prosecution under Customs Act.

15. Section – 26 Cognizance of offence
No prosecution shall be instituted except by the sanction of an officer of govt. and upon cl.3 of section – 25 on complaint by authorized officer.