(1) If [the Government] apprehend that any object mentioned in a notification issued under section 18, sub-section (1), is in danger of being destroyed, removed, injured or allowed to fall into decay, [the Government] may pass orders for the compulsory purchase of such object at its market value, and the Superintendent of Archaeology shall there upon give notice to the owner of the object to be purchased.
(2) The power of compulsory purchase given by this section shall not extend to-
(a) any image or symbol actually used for the purpose of any religious observance;
or
(b) anything which the owner desires to retain on any reasonable ground personal to himself or to any of his ancestors or to any member of his family.
Archaeological Excavation [20. Power of Government to notify areas as protected. - (1) If the Government is of opinion that excavation for archaeological purposes in any area should be restricted, or regulated in the interest of archaeological research, the Government may, by notification in the Government Gazette specifying the boundaries of the area, declare it to be a protected area.
(2) From the date of such notification all antiquities buried in the protected area shall be the property of Government and shall be deemed to be in the possession of Government, and shall remain the property and in the possession of the Government until ownership thereof is transferred; but in all other respects the rights of any owner or occupier of and in such area shall not be affected.