Section 53: Settlement of reference as to mutual rights and liabilities of persons interested in water course

(1) Whenever a difference arises between two or more persons in regard to their mutual rights or liabilities in respect of the use, construction or maintenance of a water course, any such person may apply in writing to the Divisional Irrigation Officer stating the matter in dispute; and such officer shall thereupon give notice to the other persons interested that, on a day to be named in such notice, he will proceed to enquire into the said matter, and, after such enquiry, he shall pass his order thereon unless he transfers (as he is hereby empowered to do) the matter to the Collector who shall thereupon enquire into and pass his order on the said matter.

(2) Such order shall be final as to the use or distribution of water for any crop sown or growing at the time when such order is made and shall thereafter remain in force until set aside by the decree of a Civil Court.