The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act,: Oniversal

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The
Antiquities and Art
Treasures Act, 1972
(52 of 1972)
along with
The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973
with
SHORT NOTES
Oniversal
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NEW DELHI - INDIA
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CONTENTS
THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES ACT, 1972
PagE'
IntrodtU:tion 1
Sections
1. Short title, extent and commencement 2
2. Definitions 2
3. Regulation of export trade in antiquities and art treasures 3
4. Application of Act 52 of 1962 3
5. Antiquities to be sold only under a licence 3
6. Appointment of licensing officers 3
7. Application for licence 4
8. Grant of licence 4
9. Renewal of licence 4
10. Maintenance of records, photographs and registers by licensees '1
11. Revocation, suspension and amendment of licences 5
12. Persons whose licences have been revoked may sell antiquities
to other licensees 5
13. Power of Central Government to carry on the business of selling
antiquities to the exclusion of others 5
14. Registration of antiquities 6
15. AppOintment of registering officers 6
J 6. Application for registration and grant of certificate of registration. 6
17. Transfer of ownership, etc., of antiquities to be intimated to the
registering officer 7
18. Provisions of sections 14, 16 and 17 not to apply in certain cases 7
19. Power of Central Government to compulsorily acquire antiquities
and art treasures 7
20. Payment of compensation for antiquities and art treasures
compulsorily acquired under section 19 8
21. Appeals against decisions of licensing officers and registering officers 9
22. Appeals against awards of arbitrators 9
23. Powers of entry, search, seizure, etc. 10
24. Power to determine whether or not an article, etc., is antiquity
or a·rt treasure 10
25. Penalty 10
26. Cognizance of offences 10
27. Magistrate's power to i.J.npose enhanced penalties 11
28. Offences by companies 11
29. Protection of action taken in good faith 11
30. Application of other laws not barred 12
31. Power to make rules 12
32. Repeal 13
33. Amendment of Act 24 of 1958 13
ii Contents
Page
THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES RULES, 1973
Rules
1. Short title and commencement 14
2. Definitions 14
2A. Reference to committee of experts for report as to artistic and
aesthetic value of any human work of art 14
2B. Notice for ascertaining whether the author of a work of art is alive 14
3. Authority competent to issue permits under sub-section (2) of section 3 15
4. Form of application for licence to carry on business or selling antiquities. 15
5. Grant of licence under sub-section (1) of section 8 15
6. Conditions of licence under rule 5 15
7. Renewal of licence under sub-section (1) of section 9 17
8. Maintenance of records, photographs and register by licensee 18
9. Form of declaration under section 12 and rule 7 and period within
which it shall be made 18
10. Amendment of licence 18
11. Application for certificate of registration under section 16 18
12. Form of certificate of registration under section 16 18
13. Transfer of ownership 18
14. Appeal against a decision of the licensing officer or registering officer 18
15. Director-General to sanction prosecution 19
FORM 1.- Application for Licence to carry Business of Selling or
• offering to sell Antiquities 19
FORM IA.- Application for grant of a fresh licence for carrying
business of selling or offering to sell antiquities in lieu
of one, the holder which has died, or the holder(s) of
which has/have transferred his/their·business to
other(s) or t:jle holder(s) of which propose(s) to enter
into partnership / further partnership 20
FORM II.- Licence for carrying on the Business of Selling or
Offering to sell Antiquities 21
FORM IIA.- Licence for carrying on the business of selling or offering
to sell antiquities, in lieu of one the holder of which had
died or the holder(s) of which has/have transferred his/
their Dusiness to other (s) or the holder(s) which propose(s)
to enter into partnership / further partnership 22
FORM IlL-Monthly Return of Sales or Acquisition of Antiquities 23
FORM IV.-Register of Antiquities 23
FORM V.-Declaration of Stock 24
FORM VI.-Declaration of Stock 25
FORM VII.-Application for Registration of Antiquities 25
FORM VIII.--Certificate of Registration of Antiquities 26
FORM IX.-Transfer of Ownership 26
FORM X.- Application for surrender of a licence for carrying on the
business of selling or offering to sell antiquities 27
THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES,
ACT, 1972
INTRODUCTION
Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 (31 of 1947) provided for controlling
-the export of objects of antiquarian or historical interest or significance. The
provisions contained in the said Act were found to be not sufficient with a view
to preserving objects of antiquity and art treasures in India. It was proposed to
make comprehensive law to regulate the export trade in antiquities and art
treasures and to provide for the prevention of smuggling of, and fraudulent
dealings in antiquities. It was also considered necessary" to make provisions in
such law for the compulsory acquisition of antiquities and art treasures for
preserving in public places. To achieve the above objectives the Antiquities and
Art Treasures Bill was introduce.9- in the Parliament.
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
At present 'Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947, provides for controlling
the export of objects of antiquarian or historical interest or significance.
Experience in the working of the Act has shown that in the modem set-up the
provisions contained therein are not sufficient with a view 'to preserving objects
of antiquity and art treasures in India. It is proposed to make a comprehensive
law to regulate the export trade in antiquities and art treasures and to provide
for the prevention of smuggling of, and fraudulent dealings in antiquities. It-is
also considered necessary to make provision in such law for the compulsory
acquisition of antiquities and art treasures for preserving in public places. The
present Bill is intended to achieve the above objectives.
2. The notes on clauses appended to the Bill explain in detail the more
important provisions of the Bill
ACT 52 OF 1972
The Antiquities and Art Treasures Bill having been passed by both the
Houses of Parliament received the assent of the President on 9th September,
1972. It came on Statute Book as THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES
ACT, 1972 (52 of 1972).
AMENDING ACT ,
The Antiquities and Art Treasures (Amendment) Act, 1976 (82 of 1976).
THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES

ACT, 1972
(52 of 1972)
[9th September, 1972]
An Act to regulate the export trade in antiquities and art treasures to provide for the
prevention of smuggling of and fraudulent dealings in antiquities, to provide for the
compulsory acquisition of antiquities and art treasures for preservation in public places
and to provide for certain other matters connected therewith or incidental or ancillary
thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-third Year of the Republic of India
as follows:
1. Short title, extent and commencement.-(l) This Act may be called The
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.
(2) it extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date! as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed
for different provisions of this Act and for different States and any reference in
any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a
reference to the coming into force of that provision.
2. Definitions.-(l) In this Act unless the context otherwise requires/
(a) antiquity" includes
/I
(I) (i) any coin, sculpture, painting, epigraph or other work of art or
• craftsmanship;
(ii) any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave;
(iii) any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, crafts,
literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone
ages;
(iv) any article, object or thing of historical interest;
(v) any article, object or thing declared by the Central
Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to be an
antiquity for the purposes of this Act,
which has been in existence for not less than one hundred
years; and
(II) any manuscript, record or other document which is of scientific
historicat literary or aesthetic value and which has been in
existence for not less than seventy-five years;
1. Came into force on 5-4-1976 throughout India (except the State of Sikkim, vide G.S.R. 279 (E),
dated 5-4-1976.
In Sikkirn sections 2, 3, 4, 19, 20, 22,24, sub-section (1) of section 25, sub-section (1) of section
26, sections 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 came into force on 1-6-1979, Vide G.S.R. 312 (E), dated 15th
May, 1979. .
In Sikkim sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, sub-sections (2) and (3)
of section 25, sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 26 came into force on 15-4-1980, Vide G.S.R.
203 (E), dated 8-4-1980.
2
Sec. 6] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972

3
(b) art treasure" means any human work of art, not being an antiquity,
iI
declared by the Central Government by notification in the Official

Gazette, to be an art treasure for the purposes of this Act haVing
regard to its artistic or aesthetic value.
Provided that no declaration under this clause shall be made in
respect of any such work of art so long as the author thereof is alive:
(c) "export" means taking out of India to a place outside India;
(d) "licensing officer" means an officer appointed as such under
section 6;
(e) . "registering officer" means an officer appointed as such under
section 15;
(f) "prescribed; means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
(2) Any reference in this Act to any law which is not in force in any area
shall, in relation to that area, be construed as a reference to the corresponding
law, if any, in force in that area.
3. Regulation of export trade in antiquities and art treasures.-(l) On and
from the commencement of this Act, it shall not be lawful for any person, other
than the Central Government or any authority or agency authorized by the
Central Government in this behalf, to export any antiquity or art treasure.
(2) Whenever the Central Government or any authority or agency referred
to in sub-section (1) intends to export any antiquity or art treasure such export
shall be made only under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a
permit issued for the purpose by such authority as may be prescribed.
4. Application of Act 52 of 1962.-The Customs Act, 1962, shall have effect
in relation to ':ill antiquities and art treasures, the export of which by any person
(other than the Central Government or any authority or agency authorized by the
Central Government) is prohibited under section 3 save in so far as that Act is
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and except that (notwithstanding
anything contained in section 125 of that Act) any confiscation authorized under
that Act shall be made unless the Central Government on an application made to
it in this behalf, otherwise directs.
5. Antiquities to be sold only under a licence.-1 [As from the date of expiry
of a period of six months from the commencement of this Act] no person shall,
himself or by any other person on his behalf, carry on the business of selling or
offering to sell any antiquity except under and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of a licence granted under section 8.
Explanation.-In this section and in sections 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18
"antiquity" does not include ancient and historical records other than those
declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance.
6. Appointment of licensing officers.-The Central Government may, by
notified order,
(a) appoint such persons, being gazetted officers of Government, as it
thinks fit, to be licensing officers for the purposes of this Act;
1. Subs. by Act 82 of 1976, sec. 2, for liOn and from the expiry of period of two months of the
commencement of this Act" (w.r.e.f. 4-6-1976).
4 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972
commercial purposes, with acknowledgement of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Laws Database as the source (© UNESCO). [Sec. 6
(b) define the limits of the area within which a licensing officer shall
exercise the powers conferred on licensing officers by or under this
Act.
7. Application for licence.-(1) Any person d~siring to carry on, himself or
by any other person on his behalf, the business of selling or offering to sell
antiquities may make an application for the grant of a licence to the licensing
officer having jurisdiction.
(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be made in such form and
shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed.
8. Grant of licence.-(1) On receipt of an application for the grant of a
licence under section 7, the licensing officer may, after holding such inquiry as he
deems fit, grant a licence to the applicant having regard to the following factors,
namely:
(a) the experience of the applicant with respect to trade in antiquities;
(b) the village, town or city where the applicant intends to carry on
business;
(c) the number of persons already engaged in the business of'selling, or
offering for sale of antiquities in the said village, town or city; and
(d) such other factors as may be prescribed:
Provided that no licence shall be granted to the applicant if he is convicted
of an offence punishable under the Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 (31 of
1947) unless a period of ten years has elapsed since the date of the conviction.
(2) Every licence granted under this section shall be on payment of such fees
as may be prescribed.
(3) Every licence granted under this section shall be for such period, subject
to such conditions and in such form and shall contain such particulars, as may
be prescribed.
(4) No application for the grant of a licence made under section 7 shall be
rejected unless the applicant has been given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard in the matter.
9. Renewal of licence.-(l) A licence granted under section 8 may, on an
application made by the licensee, be renewed by the licensing officer for such
period and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
(2) No application made under this section shall be rejected unless the
applicant has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.
10. Maintenance of records, photographs and registers by licensees.-(l)
Every holder of a licence granted under section 8 or renewed under section 9
shall maintain such records, photographs and registers, in such manner and
containing such particulars, as may be prescribed.
(2) Every record, photograph and register maintained under sub-section (1)
shall, at all reasonable times, be open to inspection by the licensing officer or by
any other gazetted officer of <;ovemment authoHsed in writing by the licensing
officer in this behalf.
5
11. Revocation, suspension and amendment of licences.-(l) If the licensing

officer is satisfied either on a reference made to him in this behalf or otherwise
that
(a) a licence granted under section 8 has been obtained by
misrepresentation of an essential fact, or
(b) the holder of a licence has, without reasonable cause, failed to comply
with the conditions subject to which the licence has been granted or
has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made
thereunder,
then, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the holder of the licence
may be liable under this Act, the licensing officer may, after giving the holder of
the licence an opportunity of showing cause, revoke or suspend the licence.
(2) Subject to any rules that may be made in this behalf, the licensing officer
may also vary or amend a licence granted under section 8.
12. Persons whose licences have been revoked may sell antiquities to other
licensees.-Notwithstanding anything contained in section 5, any person whose
licence has been revoked under section 11 may, after making a declaration before
the licensing officer, within such period, in such form and in the such manner,
as may be prescribed, of all the antiquities in his ownership, control or possession
immediately before such revocation, sell such antiquities to any other person
holding a valid licence under this Act:
Provided that no such antiquity shall be sold after the expiry of a period of
six months from the date of revocation of the licence.
13. Power of Central Government to carry on the business of selling
antiquities to the exclusion of others.-(l) If the Central.Government is of
opinion that with a view to conserving antiquities,or in the public interest it is
necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
declare that with effect on and from such date as may be specified in the
notification, the Central Government or any authority or agency authorised by
the Central Government in this behalf shall alone be entitled to carryon the
business of selling or offering for sale of antiqUities.
(2) On the issue of a notification under sub-section (1),
(a) if shall not be lawful for any person, authority or agency, other than
the Central Government or any authority or agency authorized-by the
Central Government, to carry on the business of selling or offering for
sale any antiquity on and from the date specified therein;
(b) the provisions of this act, in so far as they relate to the licensing of
persons carrying on the business of selling or offering for sale of
antiquities shall cease to have effect· except as respects things done or
omitted to be done before such cesser of operation and section 6 of
.the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897) shall apply upon such
cesser of operation as if those provisions had been repealed by a
Central Act:
Provided that every licence granted under section 8 and in force on the date
aforesaid shall, notwithstanding that the period specified therein has not expired,
cease to be in' force.
6 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 [Sec. 13
(3) Every person whose licence has ceased to be in force under the proviso
to clause (b) of sub-section (2) shall, within such period, in such form and in such
manner as may be prescribed, make a declaration before the licensing officer of
all the antiquities in his ownership, control or possession immediately before the
date specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1).
. 14.. Registration of antiquities.-(l) The Central Government may, from
time to time~ by notification in the Official Gazette, specify those antiquities
which shall be registered under this Act.
(2) In specifying the antiquities under sub-section (I), the Central
Government shall have regard to the following factors, namely:
(i) the necessity for conserving the objects of art;
(ii) the need to preserve such objects within India for the better
appreciation of the cultural heritage of India;
(iii) such other factors as will, or are likely to, contribute to the
safeguarding of the cultural heritage of India.
(3) Every person who owns, controls or is in possession of any antiquity
specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1) shall register such
antiquity before the registering officer
(a) in the case of a person who owns, controls or possesses such antiquity
on the date of issue of such notification, within three months of such
date; and
(b) in the case of any other person, within fiftee!1 days of the date on
which he comes into ownership, control or possession of such
I
antiquity,
and obtain a certificate in token of such registration.
COMMENTS
Where it is clear that the team of experts in the Archaeological Department have
examined the articles seized from petitioner and have arrived at a definite conclusion that
some of them were antiquities and they did not require to conduct chemical test to prove
that they were more than 100 years old and petitioner did not make any attempt to show
that these articles were not 100 years old, it was rightly concluded by courts below that
these were antiquities requiring registration and non-registration thereof, was an offence
under the Act; S.R. Kiran v. Central Bureau of Investigation, Bangalore, 1999 Cri LJ 3079
(Kar).
15. Appointment of registering officers.-The Central Goverrunent may, by
notified order,
(a) appoint such persons, as it thinks fit, to be registering officers for the
purposes of this Act; and
(b) define the limits of the area within which a registerLt1.g officer shall
exercise the powers conferred on registering officers by or under this
Act.
16. Application for registration and grant of certificate of registration.-(l)
Every person required to register any antiquities before the registering officer
under section 14 shall make an application to the registering officer for the grant
of a certificate of registration.
I
l!II
Sec. 19] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 7
(2) Every application under sub-section (1) l[shall in the case of such
antiquities or class of antiquities as the Central Governm&lt.may, by notification
in the official Gazette, specify, be accompanied] by sueJ\'photographs of the
antiquity which is to be registered and by such number or copIes, not exceeding
six, as may be prescribed and shall be made in ~\lch form and shall contain such
particulars as may be prescribed.
(3) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the registering officer
may, after holding such inquiry as he deems fit, grant a certificate of registration
containing such particulars as may be prescribed.
(4) No application made tmder this section shall be rejected unless the
applicant has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.
17. Transfer of ownership, etc., of antiquities to be intimated to the
registering officer.-Whenever any person transfers the ownership, control or
possession of any antiquity specified in any notification issued under sub-section
(1) of section 14 such person shall intimate, within such period and in such form
as may be prescribed the fact of such transfer to the registering officer.
18. Provisions of sections 14, 16 and 17 not to apply in certain cases.
Nothing in section 14 or section 16 or section 17 shall apply to any antiquity
kept
(i) in a museum; or
(ii) in an office; or
(iii) in an archive; or
(iv) in an educational or cultural institution,
owned, controlled or managed by the Government 2[ or by any local authority or
by any such body as the Central Government may, for reasons to be recorded in
writing approve for the purpose of this section by general or special order].
19. Power of Central Government to compulsorily acquire antiquities and
art treasures.-(l) If the Central Government is of opinion that it is desirable to
preserve any antiquity or art treasure in a public place, that Government may
make an order for the compulsory acquisition of such antiquity or art treasure.
(2) On the making of an order under sub-section (1) the Collector of the
district in which such antiquity or art treasure is kept shall give notice to the
owner thereof intimating him of the decision of the Central Government to
acquire the same and it shall be lawful for the Collector to take possession of such
antiquity or art treasure, for which purpose the Collector may use such force as
nnay be necessary. .
(3) Where the owner of any antiquity or art treasure, the possession of which
has been taken over by the Collector under sub-section (2) objects to the taking
over of such possession, he may,' within a period of thirty days from the date on
which such possession was taken over, make a representation to the Central
Government putting forth his objections.
Provided that the Central Government may entertain the representation after
the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the owner of such
1. Subs. by Act 82 of 1976, sec. 3 for "shall be accomplished IJ (w.r.e.f. 4-6-1976).
2. Ins. by Act 82 of 1976, sec. 4 (w.r.e.f. 4-6-1976).
..-
8 Th~~itieS and Art Treasures Act, 1972
[Sec. 19
antiquity or art treasure was prevented by sufficient cause from making the
representation in time.
(4) On receipt of any representation under sub~section (3), the Central
Government, after making such inquiry as it deems fit and after giving to the
objector an opportunity of being heard in the matter, shall, within a period of
ninety days from the date of receipt of the representation, either rescind or
confirm the order made by it under sub-section (1).
(5) Where any order made by the Central Government under sub-section (1)
is rescinded under sub-section (4) the antiquity or art treasure shall be returned
to the owner thereof without delay and at the expenses of the Central
Government.
(6) Where the order made by the Central Government under sub-section (1)
is confirmed under sub-section (4) the antiquity or art treasure shall vest in the
Central Government with effect from the date on which the possession thereof
has been taken over by the Collector under sub-section (2).
(7) The power of compulsory acquisition conferred by this section shall not
extend to any object, being an antiquity or art treasure, used for bona fide religious
observances.
Explanation.-In this section, "public place" means any place which is open
to the use of the public, whether on payment of fees or not, or whether it is
actually used by the public or not.
COMMENTS
Antiquities and art treasures are price less objects. They can provide immense
material for study of Hindu and Buddhist culture in the State of Orissa. Malkhana of
Courts are certainly not the places of storage of such articles. With a view to provide,
interested persons, materials for their study and research, they can be handed over to the
State Museum; In the matter of Preservation of Antiquities involved in Criminal Trials, AIR
1999 Ori 53.
20. Payment of compensation for al1tiquities and art treasures
compulsorily acquired under section 19.-(1) Where any .antiquity or art
treasure is compulsorily acquired under section 19, there shall be paid
compensation, the amount of which shall be determined in the manner and in
accordance with the principles hereinafter set out, that is to say,
(a) where the amount of compensation can be fixed by agreement, it shall
be paid in accordance with such agreement;
(b) where no such agreement can .be reached, the Central Government
shall appoint as arbitrator a per?on who is, or has been, or is qualified
for appointment as, a 'Judge of a High Court;
(c) the Central Government may, in any particular case, nominate a
person having expert knowledge as to the nature of the antiquity or
art treasure compulsorily acquired to assist the arbitrator and where
such nomination is made, the person to be compensated may also
nominate an assessor for the same purpose;
(d) at the commencement of the proceedings before the arbitrator, the
Central Government and the person to be cOlnpensated shall state
what/ in their respective opinion, is a fair amount of compensation;
I
Sec. 22] The Antiquities a.nd Art Treasures Act, 1972
commercial purposes, with acknowledgement of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Laws Database as the source (© UNESCO). 9
(e) the arbitrator shalt after hearing the dispute, make an award
determining the amount of compensation which appears to him to be
just and specifying the person or persons to whom such
compensation shall be paid and. in making the award he shall have
regard to the circumstances of each case and the provisions of sub
section (2);
(f) where there is any dispute as to the person or persons who are
entitled to the compensation, the arbitrator shall decide such dispute
and if the arbitrator finds that more persons than one are entitled to
compensation, he shall apportion the amount thereof amongst such
persons;
(g) nothing in' the Arbitration Act, 1940 (10 of 1940) shall apply to
arbitration under this section.
(2) While determining the compensation under sub-section (I), the arbitrator
shall have regard to the following factors, namely:
(i) the date or the period to which the antiquity or art treasure belongs;
(ii) the artistic, aesthetic, historical, architectural, archaeological or
anthropological importance of the antiquity or art treasure;
(iii) the rarity of the antiquity or art treasure;
(iv) such other matters as are relevant to the dispute.
(3) The arbitrator appointed under sub-section (I), while holding arbitration
proceedings under this section, shall have all the powers of a Civil Court, while
trying a suit, under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, (5 of 1908) in respect of
the following matters, namely:
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and
examining him on oath; .
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) reception of evidence of affidavits;
(d) requisitions any public record from any court or office;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses.
21. Appeals against decisions of licensing officers and registering
officers.-(I) Any person aggrieved by a decision of a licensing officer under
section 8 or section 9 or section 11 or by a decision of a registering officer under
section 16 may, within thirty days from the date on which the decision is
communicated to him, prefer an appeal to such authority as may be prescribed:
Provided that the appellate authority may entertain the appeal after: the
expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was
prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.
(2) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (I), the appellate auttlOrity
shall, after giving the appellant and opportunity of being heard, pass such orders
as it deems fit.
22. Appeals against awa~ds of arbitrators.-Any person aggrieved by an
award of the arbitrator made Under section 20 may, within thirty days from the
date on which the award is communicated to him, prefer an appeal to the High
Court within whose jurisdiction he resides:
10
The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972
commercial purposes, with acknowledgement of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Laws Database as the source (© UNESCO). [Sec. 22
Provided that the High Court may entertain the appeal after th~ expiry of the
said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant was p'revented by a
sufficient cause from filing the app'eal in time.
23. Powers of entry, search, seizure, etc.-(l) Any person, being an officer of
Government, authorized in this behalf by the Central Government, may, with a
view to securing compliance with the provisions of this Act or to satisfying
himself that the provisions of this Act have been complied with
(i) enter and search any place;
(ii) seize any antiquity or art treasure in respect of which he suspects that
any provision of this Act has been, is being, or is about to be,
contravened and thereafter take all measures necessary for securing
the production of the antiquity or art treasure so seized in a court and
for its .safe custody, pending such production.
(2) The provisions of sections 102 and 103 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (5 of 1898)* relating to search and seizure shall, so far as may be, apply to
searches and seizures under this section.
24. Power to determine whether or not an article, etc., is antiquity or art
treasure.-If any question arises whether any article, object or thing or
manuscript, record or other document is or is not an antiquity or is or is not an
art treasure for the purposes of this Act, it shall be referred to the Director
General, Archaeological Survey of India, or to an officer not below the rank of a
Director in the Archaeological Survey of India authorized by the Director
General, Archaeological Survey of India and the decision of the Director General,
Archaeological Survey of India or such officer, as the case may be, on such
question shall be final.
25. Penalty.-(l) If any person, himself or by any other person on his behalf,
exports or attempts to export any antiquity or art treasure in contravention of
section 3, he shall, without prejudice to any confiscation or penalty to which he
may be liable under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) as
applied by section 4, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not
be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine.
(2) if any person contravenes the provisions of section 5 or section 12 or sub
section (2) or sub-section (3) of section 13 or section 14 or section 17, he shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or
with fine or with both and the antiqutty in resp:ect of which the offence has been
committed shall be liable to confiscation.
(3) If any person prevents any licensing officer from inspecting any record,
photograph or register maintained under section 10 or prevents any officer
authorized by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 23 from
entering into or searching any place under that sub-section, he shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or
with fine, or with both.
26. Cognizance of offences.-(l) No prosecution for an offence under sub
section (1) of section 25 shall be instituted except by or with the sanction of such
officer of Government as may be prescribed in this behalf.
* See Now section 100 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
11
(2) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under sub-section

(2) or sub-section (3) or section 25 except upon complaint in writing made by an
officer generally or specially authorized in this behalf by the Central
Government.
(3) No court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the
First Class shall try any offence punishable under this Act.
COMMENTS
Recovery of antiquities articles from house of Petitioner, not registered as required
under section 14. Team of experts in the Archaeological Department examined all the
articles and found that few of them were antiquities. Opinion filed by them is final under
section 24. In respect of these articles chemical test to prove that they were 100 years old
was not required to be conducted. Non-registration of antiquities in an/offence under the
Act and imposition of fine not illegal or irregular. However, petitioners were given an
opportunity to make application for registration of antiquities instead of confiscating
them; S.R. Kiran v. Central Bureau of Investigation, Bangalore, 1999 Cri LJ 3079 Kar.
27. Magistrate's power to impose enhanced penalties.-Notwithstanding
anything contained in section 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898:\ it
shall be lawful for any Presidency Magistrate or any Magistrate of the First Class
to pass any sentence under this Act in excess of his power under section 32 of the
said Code.*
28. Offences by companies.-(l) Where an offence under this Act has been
committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was
committed was in charge of, or was responsible to, the company for the conduct
of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be
guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished
accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such
person liable to any punishment under this Act if he proves that the offence was
committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to
prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (I), where an offence
under this Act has been committed with the consent or connivance ot or is
attributable to, any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or
other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer
shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be
proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.-,-For the purpose of this section,
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other
association of individuals; and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
29. Protection of action taken in good faith.-No suit, prosecution or other
legal proceeding shall lie against the Government or any officer of the
Government for anything which is in good faith done or is intended to be done
under this Act.
"" See Now section 29 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
-........
12 The Antiquities and Arl Treasures Act, 1972

[Sec. 30
30. Application of other laws not barred.-The provisions of this Act shall
be in addition to/ and not in derogation off the provisions of the Ancient
Monuments Preservation Act/ 1904 (7 of 1904) or the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958/ (24 of 1958) or any other law for the
time being in force.
31. Power to make rules.-(l) The Central Government may, by notification
in- the Official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of giving effect to the
provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
power, such rules may provide for- .
\
(a) the authority for issue of permit under sub-section \(2) of section 3;
(b) the fonn in which an application for the grant of licence may be a
made tmder sub-section (1) of section 7 and the particulars which
such application shall contain;
(c) the factors to which regard may be had while granting a licence
under sub-section (1) of section 8;
(d) the fees on payment of which/ the period for which/ the conditions
subject to which and the form in which a licence may be granted
under sub-section (1) of section 8 and the particulars which such
licence shall contain;
(e) the fees on payment of which and the period for which a licence may
be renewed under sub-section (1) of section 9;
(f) the records, photographs and registers which are to be maintained
I'
under section 10 and the manner in which such records, photographs
and registers shall be maintained and the particulars which such
records, photographs and registers shall contain;
(g) the nature of the photographs of the antiquity and the number of
copies thereof which shall accompany an application -fur the grant of
a certificate of registration to be made under sub-section (1) of section
16 and the fonn in which such application may be made and the
particulars which such application shall contain;
(h) the particulars which a certificate of registration granted under sub
section (3) of section 16 shall contain;
(i) the authority to which an appeal may be preferred under sub-section
(1) of section 21; and
G) any other matter which has to be or may be prescribed.
(3) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid/ as soon as may be after it
is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period
of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more
successive sessions, and iff before the expiry of the session immediately following
the session or the successive sessions aforesaid/ both Houses agree in making any
modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should nofbe made/
the rule Shall thereafter have effect only in such modified from or be of no effect,
as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall
I be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

32. RepeaI.-(l) The Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 (3 of 1947) is

hereby repealed.
(2) For the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that every licence issued
under section 3 of the Act repealed under sub-section _(1) and in force at the
commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding that -the period specified
therein has no expired, cease to be in force. .
33. Amendment of Act 24 of 1958.-In the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958,
(i) in section 1, for sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be
substituted, namely:- .
"(2) It extends to the whole of India.",
(ii) after section 2, the following section shall be inserted, nan1ely:
"2A. Co'nstruction of references to any iaw not in force the in
State of Jammu and Kashmir-Any reference in this Act to any law
which is not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall, in
relation to that State, be construed as a reference to the corresponding
law, if any, in force in that State.";
(iii) in section 23,
(a) in sub-sections (2) and (4), for the words "compulsory purchase",
the words "compulsory acquisition" shall be substituted;
(b) in sub--section (3), for the words "compulsory purchase of any
such antiquities at their market value", the words" compulsory
acquisition of any such antiquities" shall be substituted;
(iv) in section 26,
(a) in sub-section (1), for the words "compulsory purchase of such
antiquity at its market value", the words"compulsory acquisition
of such antiquity" and for the words lito be purchased", the
words "to be acquired" shall be substituted;
(b) in sub-sections (2) and (3), for the words "compUlsory purchase",
the words compulsory acquisition" shall be substituted;
II
(v) in section 28, for sub-section (2)1 the following sub-section shall be
substituted, namely:
"(2) For every antiquity in respect of which an order for
compulsory acquisition has been made under sub-section (3) of
section 23 or under sub-section (1) of section 26, there shall be paid
compensation and the provisions of sections 20 and 22 of the
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 shall, so far as may be, apply
in relation to the determination and payment of such compensation as
they apply in relation to the determination and payment of
compensation for any antiquity or art treasure compUlsorily acquired
under section 19 of that Act."
THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES
RULES, 19731
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 31 of the Antiquities and Art Treasures
Act, 1972 (52 of 1972), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules,
namely:
1. Short title and commencement.-(l) These rules ITLay be called the
Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973.
(2) They shall come into force in a State on the date on which the Act comes
into force in that State.
2. Definitions.-(a) "Act" means the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act,
1972;
tl
(b) "Forrn means a form appended to these rules;
tl
(c) "licensee means a holder of a licence granted under the Act;
(d) "section" means a section of the Act.
2[2A. Reference to committee of experts for report as to artistic and
aesthetic value of any human work of art.-Where having regard to the nature
and other matters pertaining to any human work of art which the Central
Govermnent propi)sed to declared to be an art treasure under clause (b) of
section 2 of the Act, the Central Government considered it necessary so to do, it
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a committee consisting of
not less than three persons having expert knowledge as to like works of art to
consider and submit a report on the artistic and aesthetic value of the work of art
so proposed to be declared.]
2[2B. Notice for ascertaining whether the author of a work of art is alive.
(1) With a view to deterniining whether the author of any human work of art
which the Central Government proposes to declare to be an art treasu.re under
clause (b) of section 2 of the Act is alive the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, give notice of its intention to make such
declaration and require
(a) that in case the author thereof is alive, he shall, within MO months
from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette,
communicate the fact and his address to the Central Government;
(b) that any other person knowing such author to have been alive within
thirty years, to make known to the Central Government 3[within two
months from the date of publication of the notification in Official
Gazette] the name of the author and the fact of the author being alive
and his address or, as the case may be, the date on which the author
was last seen alive, and the last known address of the author.
(2) A copy of a'notice published under sub-rule (1) may also be published in
any Indian or Foreign newspaper or journal.]
1. Vide G.S.R. 405 (E), dated 31st August, 1973, published in the Gazette of India, Extra. Pt, II,
Sec, 3 (i), dated 31st August, 1973.
2. Ins. by G.5.R. 683 (Et dated the 6th December, 1979 (w.e.f. 6-12-1979).
3. Ins. by G.5:R. 815 (E), dated 2nd November, 1983 (w.e.f. 2-11-1983).
14
Rule 6J The Antiquities and Art Treasures' Rules, 1973

15
3. Authority competent to issue, permits under sub-section (2) of

section 3.-The Director-General shall be authority competent to issue permit
under section 3 for the export of any antiquity or art treasure.
Explanation.-For the purposes of rules, the expression "Director-General"
means the Director-General, Archaeological Survey of India and includes an
officer not below the rank of the Director, Archaeological Survey of India l[duly
authorized in this behalf by the Director-Ceneral].
4. Form of application for licence to carry on business or selling
antiquities.-Every application for a licence to carry on the business of selling or
offering to sell antiquities, shall be made in Form I and shall be accompanied
with a chaHan of 2[rupees two thousand] in token of having paid the fee for the
licence applied for.
5. Grant of licence under sub-section (1) of section 8.-(1) On receipt of an
application for licence to carry on the business of selling or offering to sell the
antiquities, the licensing officer shall, in addition to considering the factors
mentioned in a clause (a), (b) and (c) of sub-section (1) of section 8 consider the
bona fide intention of the applicant and if satisfied about such intention, may
grant a licence to the applicant in Form II.
3J(2) Every licence granted under sub-rule (1), shall be valid for two years
from the date of issue. This period of two years may be extended by one year by
the licensing officer, if application for such extension is received by him at least
two months before the date of expiry and 4[the licensee (i) has been submitting
all the prescribed returns; (ii) has satisfactorily maintained all the prescribed
records; and (iii) continues to comply with all the conditions laid down for the
grant of licence]:
5[Provided that an application for extension under this sub-rule may be
entertained by the licensing officer even up to one month before the date of
expiry if he is satisfied that the delay in applying for extension was due to
circumstances beyond the control of the applicant.]
6. Conditions of licence under rule 5.-Every licence granted under rule 5
shall be subject to the following conditions, namely:
(a) The licence shall not be transferable:
Provided that where a licensee transfers his business to another
person the transferee may, on an application made in 6[Form I A] be.
granted a fresh licence, without payment of a licence-fee, for the
unexpired peried of the licence of the transferor, by the licensing
.officer, having regard to the factors mentioned in rule 5:
6[Provided further that in the case of the death of licensee when the
licensee is an individual, a fresh licence for. the unexpired period of
1. Added by G.S.R. 546 (E) dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f. 30-11-1978).
2. Subs. by G.S.R. 746 (E), dated 28th August, 1992 (w.e.f. 28-8-1992).
3. Subs. by G.S.R. 564 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f. 30-11-1978).
4. Subs. by G.S.R. 56 (E), dated 10th February, 1981 (w.e.f. 10-2-1981).
5. Ins. by G.S.R. 56 (E), dated 10th February, 1981 (w.e.f. 10-2-1981).
16 The Antiquities and ·Art Treasures Rules, 1973

. [Rule 6
the licence can be granted in Form II A without payment of any fee,

to the legal heir of the late licensee subject to the condition that an
application in Form IA is made by that heir to the licensing officer
l[within three months of the date of death of the licensee], and the
licensing officer is satisfied with the factors mentioned in rule 5, in
regard to the applicant.]
2[(b) No licensee shall enter into partnership, or if the licensee is already a
partnership firm, into further partnership, in regard to the business
covered by the licence:
Provided that if the licensee wants to enter into partnership or
further partnership, as the case may be, in regard to the business
covered by the licence, all the proposed partners including the
existing one(s) may apply in Form IA to the licensing officer and if the
licensing officer is satisfied with all the facts mentioned in rule 5 in
regard to all the proposed partner(s), he may issue a fresh licence in
Form II A for the unexpired period of the licence without payment of
any fee.]
(c) Where a firm in respect of which a licence is granted is dissolved
every person who was a partner of that firm imrnediately before the
dissolution shall, within ten days of such dissolution, send a r~ort
thereof to the licensing officer. \ "
(d) Where a licensee carries on his business at more than one place he
shall obtain a separate licence for each place.
J.
2[(e) No licensee shall shift his business covered by the licence to new
premises during the currency of the licence. However, if he wants to
do so, he may apply in Form IA to the licensing officer and if the
licensing officer is satisfied with the fact mentioned in section 8 (b) of
the said Act, in regard to the proposed premises, he may modify the
licence accordingly. The modified licence shall be valid in regard to
the new premises only from the date of such, modification.]
(f) The licensee shall if so required by the licensing officer permit the
licensing officer's photographer to take photographs of antiquities in
the possession of the licensee.
(g) the licensee shall cause his licence to be prominently displayed at his
licensed premises
(h) the licensee shall submit to the licensing officer in Fonn III, a monthly
return of sales and acquisition of antiquities, within fifteen <lays of the
expiry of the month to which the return relates and shall also, on
demand, within such time as the licensing ,officer may specify,
produce such records;
(i) Where a licence is revoked or suspended under the Act, the licensee
shall not be entitled to any compensation for such revocation or
suspension, nor shall he be entitled to claim refund of any sum paid
in respect of his licence.
------
2. Ins. by G.S.R. 56. (E), dated, 10th February, 1981 (w.e.f. 10-2-1981).
Rule 7J The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973

1[(j) In case of termination of a licence through expiry/dissolution of

partnership,. the ex-holders of the licence shall be allowed to
antiquities in his/her/their possession on the date of termination to
a licensee or recognized museum in India within six months of the
date of termination of the licence provided the ex-holder of the
licence has/have properly declared his/her/their stock in Form V as
laid down in conditions (k) and (m).]
l[(k) Two months before the date of expiry of a licence, every licensee shall
send to the licensing officer a declaration of stock in Form V and
another declaration of stock in Form VI immediately after six months
from the date of expiry.]
1[(1) In the case of revocation of a licence for now compliance with any
condition for the grant of a licence, an ex-licensee shall submit a
declaration of stock in Form V to the licensing officer within fifteen
. days of revocation.]
l[(m) In the case of dissolution of a partnership firm, which holds a licence,
every partner in the firm shall immediately on dissolution jointly, or
severally, send to the licensing officer· a declaration of stock in
Form V and another declaration of stock, in Form VI immediately
after six months from the date of dissolution.]
l[(n) A licensee who wants to surrender his licence shall apply in Form X
to the licensing officer. The application shall be accompanied by a
declaration of stock in Form V. If the licensing officer is satisfied that
there has been compliance with all the conditions of the licence by the
licensee, he may accept the surrender and the licence shall be deemed
to have terminated from the date of such acceptance. This shall not
entitle the licensee to any compensation by way of refund of licence
fee in any form.]
1[(0) The licensee who has surrendered his licence shall be allowed to
sell the antiquities declared to another licensee or recognized
museum in India up to six months from the date of acceptance of the
surrender of his licence provided that on the expiry of such six
months, he shall send to the licensing officer a declaration of stock in
Form VL]
7. Renewal of licence under sub-section (1) of section 9.-C>n an application
made by ~e licensee for the renewal of the licence and on payment of a fee of
2[rupees one thousand] the licence may be renewed 3[for a further period of two
years at one time]:'
l[Provided that such application is received by the licensing officer at least
two months before the date of expiry of the licence and is accompanied by a
declaration of stock in Form V.]
1. Ins, by C.5.R. 564 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f. 30-11-1978).
2. Subs. by G.S.R. 746 (E), dated 28th August, 1992 (w.e.f. 28-8-1992).
18 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973

[Rule 8
8. Maintenance of records, photographs and register by licensee.-Every

licensee shall maintain the following records, namely:
(a) a register of antiquities 1[***] in Form IV separately for each category
of antiquity for which he has been authorized to carryon business of
selling or offering to sell; and
(b) photo albums separately for each category of antiquities having clear
photographs in at least post-card size, pasted in the album together
with a loose photograph bearing the serial number of his register.
9. Form of 2[dec1aration under section 12 and rule 7] and period within
which it shall be rnade.-Every person whose licence has been revoked under
section 11 shall make before the licensing officer:
(a) a declaration in Form V, within fifteen days from the revocation of his
licence; and
(b) a declaration in Form VI, immediately after a period of six months
from the date of revocation of his licence.
10. Amendment of licence.-A licence may be waived or amended by the
licensing officer suo motu or on an application made in that behalf by the
licensee:
Provided that no amendment or variation shall be made suo motu by the
licensing officer unless the licensee has been given a reasonable opportunity of
bemg heard in the matter.
11. Application for certificate of registration under section 16.-(1) Every
application for a certificate of registration under section 16 shall be made in Form
VII to the registering officer having jurisdiction over the area in which the
applicant resides.
(2) Every such application shall be accompanied by 2[three copies of
photographs in post or quarter size] in sharp focus, of each antiquity in the
applicants' possession, and if so required by the registering officer by an equal
number of photographs of different sides, or facets of such antiquity.
12. Form of certificate of registration under section 16.-The certificate of
registration under section 16 shall be granted in Form VIII.
13. Transfer of ownership.-When any person transfers the ownership
control or possession of a registered antiquity to any other person; the transfer
shall be intimated in Form IX by the transferor within fifteen days of the date of
transfer to the registering officer having jurisdiction over. the area where the
transferor resides and also to the registermg officer having jurisdiction over the
areas where the transferor resides.
14. Appeal against a decision of the licensing officer or registering
officer.-Any person aggrieved by a decision of a licensing officer under
section 8 or section 9 or section 11 or by a decision of a registering officer under
section 16 may, within thirty days from the date on which the decision is
communicated prefer an appeal to the Director-General, Archaeological Survey
of India.
1. Omitted by C.5.R. 654 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f. 30-11-1978).
Form IJ The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973
19
1[15. Director-General to sanction prosecution.-The Director-General shall

be the officer competent in terms of sub-section (1) of section 26 of the Act, to
institute, or to sanction institution of prosecution for offences under sub-section
(1) of section 25 of the Act.)
I[Note.-The declaration in Forms V and VI referred to in conditions (j) to (0)
of rule 6 and sub-rule (b) of rule 9, shall be made either by registered post or in
person.]
FORM I
APPLICATION FOR LICENCE TO CARRY BUSINESS OF SELLING OR
OFFERING TO SELL ANTIQUITIES
(See rule 4)
*1. Name and address of applicant/s.

**2. Name and address of firm including its branches or collaterals and other
names (aliases) and addresses during the last 10 years.
3. Names and addresses of partners, if any, including adult members of the
family having an interest in, or share in, the business.
4. Addresses of showroom/sale premises.
5. Addresses of all godowns and repositories including residential premises of
the constituents.
6. The period for which the applicant has been in business giving the details of
his experience.
7. Whether the applicant/firm (including all constituents individually and
jointly) was convicted of any offence punishable under the Antiquities (Export
Control) Act, 1947, or, in any other case involving theft or smuggling of
antiquities. If so, details thereof may be stated.
8. Whether the applicant/firm (including all constituents individually or jointly)
is a subject of prosecution!investigation/inquiry regarding the infringement of
the Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 or the theft of antiquities or art
treasures.
9. Whether all stock up to the date of application has been entered in the
applicant's register.
10. The village, town or city, including District and State, where the applicant
intends to carryon the business.
11. Nature, i.e. details of the varieties of antiquities in which the applicant wishes
to deal in, such as, stone sculptures, metal works, wood works, coin~,
paintings, jewellery and the like. ~
12. Categorywise list of all objects on hand claimed by the applicants to be
antiquities including those which have been registered with registering officer.
13. Proof of deposition of licence fee, i.e. treasury challan of Rs. 100 payable into
the Account No bearing No dated to be attached.
14. I declare that the above information is correct and complete to the best of my
knowledge and belief. r/We also undertake to observe the provisions of the
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, and the rules made thereunder.
I also enclose an attested* copy of the Income-tax Certificate for the preceding year
(20 20 ) and the Registration No. of the business establishment. I also undertake to
1. Ins. by C.s.R. 564 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f. 30-11-1978).
20 The AnUquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973

commercial purposes, with acknowledgement of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Laws Database as the source (© UNESCO). [Form I
intimate any change of address or acquisition of new godown within a week.** I also
undertake to maintain such records, photographs and registers and furnish at my
expense periodical returns with such particulars and photographs as may be required
under the rules. I also undertake to make available every record, photograph and register
maintained in this connection for the inspection of the licensing officer, or any other
gazetted officer of Goverrunent authorized in writing by the licensing officer in this
behalf.
Seal of the organization
Place................. Name and signature of the applicant
Date .
*Any change of address has to be promptly (within a week of shifting) intimated to
the licensing officer.
-r'o be attested by a gazetted officer with seal of office.
l[FORM IA
(See rule 6)
APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF A FRESH LICENCE FOR CARRYING
BUSINESS OF SELLING OR OFFERING TO SELL ANTIQUITIES IN LIEU
OF ONE, THE HOLDER WHICH HAS DIED, OR THE HOLDER(S) OF
WHICH HASIHAVE TRANSFERRED HISrrHEIR BUSINESS TO OTHER(S)
OR THE HOLDER(S) OF WHICH PROPOSE(S) TO ENTER INTO
PARTNERSHIPIFURTHER PARTNERSHIP
1. Name and address of appHcant(s).

2. Name and address of firm including its branches or collaterals and other name
(aliases) and addresses during the last 10 years.
3. Name and addresses of partners, if any, including adult members of th~ family
having an interest in or share in, the business.
Note.-In case this application is in consequence of proposed entry into, or proposed
enlargement of the existing partnership, the required details should be applied separately
for the existing holders and the proposed partners.
4. Address of showroom/ sale premises.
5. Address of all godowns and repositories including residential premises of the
constituents.
6. The p~riod for which the applicant has been in business giving the details of his
experience.
7. Whether the applicant/ firm (including all constituents individually and jointly)
was convicted of any offence punishable under the Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947,
or in any other case involving theft or 'smuggling of antiquities. If so, details thereof may
be stated.
8. Whether the applicant/firm (including all constituents individually or jointly) is a
subject of prosecution/investigation/inquiry regarding the infringement of the
Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 or the theft of antiquities or art treasures.
9. Whether all stock up to the date of application has been entered in the applicant's
register.
10. The village, town or city, including District and State, where the applicant intends
to carry on the business.
11. Nature, i.e. details of the varieties of the business which applicant wishes to deal
in, such as stone sculptures, metal works, wood works, coins, paintings, manuscripts,
jewellery and the like.
1. Ins. by G.5.R. 564(E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f. 30-11-1978).

Form II] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973
21
12. Categorywise list of all objects on hand claimed by the applicants to be antiquities
including those Which have been registered with registering officer.
13. Particulars of the licence in lieu of which a fresh licence is needed.
(a) No.
(b) Date.
(c) Name(s) of the licensee.
(d) Period with dates for which issued/renewed.
14. The circumstance in consequence of which this application has been made.
(Death of the licensee/transfer of business/entry into partnership enlargement of the
existing partnership). Proof must be furnished.
15. I/We declare that the above information is correct and complete to the best of
my/our knowledge and belief. I/We also undertake to observe the provisions of the
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, and the rules made thereunder. I/We also
enclose an attested copy of the Income-tax Certificate for the preceding year
(20 20 ) and the Registration Numb'er of the business establishment. I/We also
undertake to intimate any change of address of acquisition of new godown within a
week. I/We also undertake to maintain such records. Photographs and registers and
furnish at my lour expense periodical returns with such particulars and photographs as
may be reqUired under the rules. I/We also undertake to make available every record
photograph and register maintained in this connection for the inspection of the licensing
officer, or any other gazetted officer of Government authorized in writing by the licensing
officer in this behalf.
Seal of the Organization.
Place. Name and signature of the applicant.
Date ..
To be attested by a gazetted officer with seal of officer. Any change of address has
to be promptly intimated to the licensing office.)
FORM II
Licence No .
Date of issue ..
LICENCE FOR CARRYING ON THE BUSINESS OF SELLING OR
OFFERING TO SELL ANTIQUITIES
[See rule 5 (1)]
Not Transferable
Whereas (son of) of (address) has applied for a licence for carrying
on the business of selling or offering to sell antiquities and has undertaken to observe the
provisions of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, and the rules made thereunder
and has further deposited the sum of Rs. 100 (Rupees one hundred) only as required by
the rules.
I .licensing officer, do hereby grant this licence under sub-rule (1) of
rule 5 of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973 for the period of
................years with effect from .
The licence is granted subject to the provisions of the said Act, and rules and is
further subject to the following conditions:
22 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973 [Form II
(1) Accordingly licensee will deal only in the following categories of antiquities. The
area where the business will be carried on will be
(1) (5)
(2) (6)
(3) (7)
(4) (8)
Seal of office Signature
Place . Name
Date . Licensing Officer (Designation)
l[FORM IIA
(See rule 6)
Licence No .
Date of Issue ..
LICENCE FOR CARRYING ON THE BUSINESS OF SELLING OR OFFERING
TO SELL ANTIQUITIES, IN LIEU OF ONE THE HOLDER OF WHICH HAD
DIED OR THE HOLDER(S) OF WHICH HAS/HA VE TRANSFERRED HISITHEIR
BUSINESS TO OTHER (S) OR THE HOLDER(S) WHICH PROPOSE(S) TO
ENTER INTO PARTNERSHIPIFURTHER PARTNERSHIP
Whereas the holder(s) of licence No dated valid from to

............... has/have died/transferred his/her/their business to other/propose(s) to enter
into partnership / further partnership.
And whereas the heir/transferee/proposed/partners whose particulars are given
below, has/have applied for the issue of a fresh licence in lieu of the licence aforesaid for
the unexpired period or the licence aforesaid.
Name: .
Father's Name: .
Address: ..
And whereas the applicants aforesaid have undertaken to observe the provisions of
the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 and the rules made thereunder, as amended
from time to time.
I, .licensing officer do hereby grant this licence under sub-rule (1) of
rule 5 of the Antiquities and· Art Treasures Rules, 1973 for the period with effect
from .
The licence is granted subject to the provisions of the said Ac.t, and rules and is
further subject to the following conditions:
(1) The licensee will deal only in the following categories of antiquities. The area
where the business will be carried on will be-
(1 )
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
1. Ins. by G.5.R. 564 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.e.f.30-11-1978).

Form IV] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973 23
Seal of Office
Place . Signature
Date . Name
Licensing Officer]
FORM III
Name of the firm (Licensee) ..
MONTHLY RETURN OF SALES OR ACQUISITION OF ANTIQUITIES
[See rule 6 (h)]
For the month of ..
1. Serial Number................................. 1. Serial Number .

(in the register) (in the register)
2. Description of object....................... 2. Description of object.. ..
with a photograph. with photograph
*3. Address of person to 3. Address of person from .
whom sold........................................ whom acquired
Seal of Organization tSignature of licensee
Place .
Date ..
>I- The nationality of foreigners to whom an antiquity is sold together with their address in India
and at home and passport number should be recorded.
t. In the case of a firm, the signature of the head of the organization.
FORM IV
REGISTER OF ANTIQUITI-ES
[See J;Ule 8 (a)]
Antiquities such as stone sculpture/terracottas/metal/objects/objects of bone and

ivory /jewellery /woodwork/seals/medals/coins/paintings/manuscripts and -textiles.
Serial No. Identification Material Size Approximate
of objects and Age
description
1
2 3 4 5
Date of Source of acquisition including Mode of

acquisition the name of the person/firm acquisition
from whom acquired with address
6 7 8
Price paid for Registration

Date of
acquisition No.
registraHon
--
9 10 11
24 The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973 [Form IV

Date of sale, if any Name and address of person Place where

or firm to whom sold** object is kept
12
13 14
Reference to
Photo No. Photographs in
Photo album No.

and page 6x6 ern. size
15
16 17
(To be pasted in the register)

** In the case of a foreigner his addresses in India and at home and passport number should also
be recorded.
l[FORM V
DECLARAnON OF STOCK
[See conditions under rule 6 Q), (k), (I), (m), (n), rule 7 and rule 9 (a)]
Particulars of objects (category-wise)
Serial No. Identification and Material Approximate

in the register <;!€scription of the size
object registered
or unregistered)
1 2 3 4
Date of registration
Registration No.
if registered
5
6
I/We declare our stock of antiquities as hereabove on the date of declaration.
Seal of Organization
Place .
Date . Signature of the Licensee
Name of the firm
Licence No ]
Form VII] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973
IIFORM VI
DECLARATION OF STOCK
[See conditions under rules 6 (k), (m), (0) and 9 (b)]
Particulars of objects sold out of the stock declared on .
Serial No. Description of the Name and address Date of sale

in the objects with of the licensee /
register photographs license firms to
whom sold
1 2 3 4
Price at Approximate age Balance with details (registration

which sold No. etc.) of the object in hand
5 6 7
I/We hereby declare the stock of antiquities as hereabove held by me/us on the date
of making this declaration.
Seal of the Organization
Place ..
Date .
Signature of Licensee
N arne of the firm
Licence No ]
FORM VII
Licence No .
. APPLICAnON FOR REGISTRAnON OF ANTIQUmES
(See rule 11)
1. Name of applicant (person or firm)

2. Address of applicant (person or firm).
3. Identification and description of object with
l[three copies of photographs in postcard or quarter size.]
4. Material.
5. Size.
6. Approximate date.
7. SOurce of acquisition. .
8. Where the applicant has come into ownership, control or possession of any
antiquity which is already registered under the Act, registration number of such antiquity
and the name of registering officer, who had registered it.
9. Date of acqUIsition
10. Mode of acquisition
11. ~rice paid, if any.
12. (a) Present location, and
(b) Condition of preservation and security.
13. If the antiquity is already registered under the Act, whether its registration
certificate has been attached.
I declare that the above information is correct and complete to the best of my ,
knowledge and belief. I also undertake to observe the provisions of the Antiquities and
Art Treasures Act, 1972, and the rules made thereunder.
Seal of the Organization
Place....... ..... ...... Signature
1. Subs. by G.S.R. 564 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.eJ. 30-11-19~8).
26 The Antiquities' and Art Treasures Rules, 1973

[Form VII
Date........ Name of the applicant .
1. If the application is on behalf of an organization, the name thereof should be given.

2. If the application is on behalf of an organization, the signature should be that of
the head of that organization.
FORM VIII
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF ANTIQUITIES
(See rule 12)
Whereas resident of has applied for registration of the antiquity /

antiquities mentioned below, and has undertaken to observe the provision of the
Antil\r~~~~.. ~~~.. ~~~ ..~~.~~.sures Act, 1972, and the rules made thereunder
I, registering officer do hereby grant this certificate under section 16
of the said for ilie object described below together with authenticated
photographs.
. 1. Name of object
2. Material
3. Size (height and width)
4. Approximate date
5. Location.
The certificate is granted subject to the provision of the said Act and the rules made
thereunder and is further subject to the conilition that in the event of change of location
of the antiquity from area of registration to another or its sale, the fact must be
communicated by the owner to the registering officer, with the name and address of the
person/firm to whom/which it was sold or gifted.
Seal of office Signature
Place . Name of registering officer
Date . Designation
l[FORM IX
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
(See rule 13)
N.B. I.-This Form must be completed (in triplicate) simultaneously with the transfer
of ownership. .
2. One copy shall be sent to the registering officer concerned and the other two copies
to the Director-General, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi by registered post so
as to reach them within ten days of transfer.
3. In case the object is an unregistered antiquity each copy of this Form shall be
accompanied by a photograph (in sharp focus) of the object in postcard or quarter size.
If the sides of the object are decorated differently than the front, the photographs, as
stated above, shall be sent in respect of each such side also in .addition to the front side.
4. The responsibility for com~letion of the above formalities rests with the seller /
giver if the object has been sold, glfted or donated; otherwise with the new owner of the
object. . .
SECTION A (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SELLER/GIVER)
1. Name of Owner .
2 Address of Owner .
3. *Licence No. . .
4. Serial No. in Register .
5. Serial No. in A15um .
6. Name/Subject of object .
7. Nature (e.g. sculpture, painting, manuscript, coins, etc.) .
8. Whether it is registered ? .
If so
(i) Name and Station of registering officer .' ..
(ii) Registration No ..
9. Material .
10. Size .
11. Price offered ~ : .
Place .,.......... Signature of Owner
Date............. Name (In Block Letters) as signed and Seal.
1. Subs. by G.S.R. 564 (E), dated. 30th November, 1978 (w.eJ. 30-11-1978).
Form Xl DISCLAIMER: As Member States provide national legislations, hyperlinks and explanatory notes (if any), UNESCO does not guarantee their accuracy, nor their up-dating on
The Antiquities and Art Treasures Rules, 1973
*. Applicable in the case of dealers only.
SECTION B (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE NEW OWNER)
1. Name ..
2. Complete address
(i) Present '"
(ii) Permanent ..
3. Mode of acquisition .
(e.g. purchase, gift, inheritance, donation, etc.)
4. Present location of object ..
5. Safeguards for preservation and security of the object ..
6. fNationality .
7. tPassport No .
8. tDuration of stay in India .
9. Purpose of visit ..
I hereby declare that the information given above by me is correct and complete to
the best of my knowledge and belief. I undertake to observe the provisions of the
Antiquitie$ and Art Treasures Act, 1972 and the rules made thereunder as in force from
time to time. .
I am aware that the object now acquired by me is an antiquity that it cannot be taken
or sent out of the territorial limits of India except on the authority of a permit issued by
Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India and that any attempt to take or send
out of India without such a valid permit is punishable under the law.
Place. .. Signature
Date .. Name (in Capital letters assigned]
t. Applicable in the case of foreigners only.
l[FORM Xl
APPLICATION FOR SURRENDER OF A LICENCE FOR CARRYING ON THE
BUSINESS OF SELLING OR OFFERING TO SELL ANTIQUITIES
[See rule 6 (n)]
1. Name of the applicant. ..

2. Present address of the applicartt. .
3. Particulars of the licence to be surrendered:
(a) Number ..
(b) Date ..
(c) Name of the holder ..
(d) Period with dates of validity ..
4. Reason for surrendering the licence ..
I/We hereby declare my/our intention or surrendering the licence aforesaid, of
which I/we/am/are/holder (s) and am/are aware that on the acceptance of this
surrender, I/we will not be entitled to any compensation by way of refund of licence fee
or in any other form.
I/We hereby attach a declaration of Form V of the stock of antiquities held by me/
us on the date of this declaration and hereby undertake to submit another declaration of
Form VI immediately six months after the date of acceptance of this surrender.
Place . Signature and name of the applicant

Date . No. of licence
Seal of the firm]
1. Ins. by G.S.R. 564 (E), dated 30th November, 1978 (w.eJ. 30-11-1978).

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DISCLAIMER: As Member States provide national legislations, hyperlinks and explanatory notes (if any), UNESCO does not

guarantee their accuracy, nor their up-dating on

Antiquities and Art

Treasures Act, 1972

Law Publishing Co. Pvt. Ud.

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

C-FF-IA, Ansal's Dilkhush Industrial Estate,

GT. Kamal Road, Delhi-110 033

Computer Typeset at Aesthetic & Printed at Taj Press, New Delhi.

THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES ACT, 1972

THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES RULES, 1973

2A. Reference to committee of experts for report as to artistic and

aesthetic value of any human work of art 14

3. Authority competent to issue permits under sub-section (2) of section 3 15

4. Form of application for licence to carry on business or selling antiquities. 15

5. Grant of licence under sub-section (1) of section 8 15

6. Conditions of licence under rule 5 15

7. Renewal of licence under sub-section (1) of section 9 17

8. Maintenance of records, photographs and register by licensee 18

9. Form of declaration under section 12 and rule 7 and period within

which it shall be made 18

10. Amendment of licence 18

11. Application for certificate of registration under section 16 18

12. Form of certificate of registration under section 16 18

13. Transfer of ownership 18

14. Appeal against a decision of the licensing officer or registering officer 18

15. Director-General to sanction prosecution 19

FORM 1.- Application for Licence to carry Business of Selling or

• offering to sell Antiquities 19

FORM IA.- Application for grant of a fresh licence for carrying

business of selling or offering to sell antiquities in lieu

of one, the holder which has died, or the holder(s) of

which has/have transferred his/their·business to

other(s) or t:jle holder(s) of which propose(s) to enter

into partnership / further partnership 20

FORM II.- Licence for carrying on the Business of Selling or

Offering to sell Antiquities 21

FORM IIA.- Licence for carrying on the business of selling or offering

to sell antiquities, in lieu of one the holder of which had

died or the holder(s) of which has/have transferred his/

their Dusiness to other (s) or the holder(s) which propose(s)

to enter into partnership / further partnership 22

FORM IlL-Monthly Return of Sales or Acquisition of Antiquities 23

FORM IV.-Register of Antiquities 23

FORM V.-Declaration of Stock 24

FORM VI.-Declaration of Stock 25

FORM VII.-Application for Registration of Antiquities 25

FORM VIII.--Certificate of Registration of Antiquities 26

FORM IX.-Transfer of Ownership 26

FORM X.- Application for surrender of a licence for carrying on the

business of selling or offering to sell antiquities 27

THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES,

THE ANTIQUITIES AND ART TREASURES

Sec. 6] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972

declared by the Central Government by notification in the Official

11. Revocation, suspension and amendment of licences.-(l) If the licensing

(2) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under sub-section

12 The Antiquities and Arl Treasures Act, 1972

Sec. 33] The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972