The Collector may, at any time after making a declaration under sub-section (1) of section 8, and before delivering or dividing the treasure trove as hereinbefore provided, declare, by writing under his hand, his intention to acquire, on behalf of the Government, the treasure trove or any specified portion thereof, by payment to the persons entitled thereto, of a sum equal to the value of the materials of such treasure trove or portion, together with one-fifth of such value, and may place such sum in deposit in a Government treasury to the credit of such persons;
and thereupon such treasure trove or portion shall be deemed to be the property of the Government and the money so deposited shall be dealt with, as far as may be, as if it were such treasure trove or portion:
Provided that the person entitled to payment under this section, if he questions the value of the materials or portion thereof fixed by the Collector, may, within two months from 7 the date of the order of the Collector to acquire, institute a suit in the civil court to have the value of such materials fixed.
16. Decision of Collector final and no suit to lie against him for acts done in good faith.
— Subject to the provisions of section 15 no decision passed or act done by the Collector under this Act shall be called in question in any civil court, and no suit or other proceedings shall lie against him for anything done in good faith in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act.