Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
16. Exercise of powers conferred by section 10, and
disputes as to compensation, in case of property other than that of a local
authority
(1) If the exercise of the powers mentioned in section 10 in
respect of property referred to in clause (d) of that section is resisted or
obstructed, the District Magistrate may, in his discretion, order that the
telegraph authority shall be permitted to exercise them.
(2) If, after the making of an order under sub-section (1), any
person resists the exercise of those powers, or, having control over the
property, does not give all facilities for their being exercised, he shall be
deemed to have committed an offence under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code,
1860 (45 of 1860).
(3) If any dispute arises concerning the sufficiency of the
compensation to be paid under section 10, clause (d), it shall, on application
for that purpose by either of the disputing parties to the District Judge
within whose jurisdiction the property is situate, be determined by him.
(4) If any dispute arises as to the persons entitled to receive
compensation, or as to the proportions in which the persons interested are
entitled to share in it, the telegraph authority may pay into the court of the
District Judge such amount as he deems sufficient or, where all the disputing
parties have in writing admitted the amount tendered to be sufficient or the
amount has been determined under sub-section (3), that amount; and the District
Judge, after giving notice to the parties and hearing such of them as desire to
be heard, shall determine the persons entitled to receive the compensation or,
as the case may be, the proportions in which the persons interested are
entitled to share in it.
(5) Every determination of a dispute by a District Judge under
sub-section (3), or sub-section (4) shall be final:
PROVIDED that nothing in this sub-section shall affect
the right of any person to recover by suit the whole or any part of any
compensation paid by the telegraph authority, from the person who has received
the same.