(1) If any claim is preferred within the period specified under section 5, the Competent Authority shall investigate the claim by taking on record all evidence produced by the claimant and he shall decide the case within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the claim, after such inquiry as he deems fit to make, and issue notice of the decision to the parties concerned.
(2) The decision of the Competent Authority under sub-section (1) shall be subject to the provisions of sections 7.
(3) Inquiry to be conducted by the Competent Authority under sub-section (1) shall be of summary nature and for the purpose of such inquiry the Competent Authority may summon and examine on oath any person and may compel production of any document or thing.
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(4) It shall be the duty of the Competent Authority to obtain full information from the public records and by personal inquiries in respect of the property, being in all cases careful not to infringe any private rights or to occasion unnecessary trouble or vexation to individuals.
(5) Any income accruing from any such property shall be kept in Government treasury till the final disposal of all claims in respect thereof.