(1) When the Controller receives a deposit under section 18, he shall forthwith cause to be affixed in a conspicuous place at his office a notification of the receipt thereof containing a statement of all material particulars, and, if the amount of the deposit is not paid away under sub-section (2) within the period of fifteen days next following the date on which the notification is so affixed, the Controller shall forthwith in cases referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 18 cause a notice of the receipt of the deposit to be posted free of charge at the landlord's local office, if any, and at some conspicuous place in the locality in which the holding is situated, and, in cases referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of the said section, cause a like notice to be served free of charge on every person who, he has reason to believe, claims or is entitled to the deposit.
(2) The Controller may pay the amount of any deposit notified under sub-section (1) to any person who proves to his satisfaction to be entitled to the same or is entitled to the amount as a result of a settlement referred to in subsection (1) of section 18 or he may, if he thinks fit, retain the amount pending the decision of a Civil Court as to the person so entitled.
(3) If no payment is made under sub-section (2) before the expiration of three years from the date of notice issued under sub-section (1) or three months after the decision of the Civil Court, whichever is later, the amount deposited may in the absence of any order of a Civil Court to the contrary be repaid to the depositor upon his application and on his returning the receipt given by the Controller when the rent was deposited.