Section 26. Purchase of antiquities by State Government.

(1) If the State Government apprehends that any antiquity mentioned in a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 25 is in danger of being destroyed, removed, injured, misused or allowed to fall into decay, or is of opinion that, by reason of its historical or archaeological importance, it is desirable to preserve such antiquity in a public place, the State Government may make an order for the compulsory purchase of such antiquity at its market value, and the Collector shall thereupon give notice to the owner of the antiquity to be purchased. (2) Where a notice of compulsory purchase is issued under sub-section (1) in respect of any antiquity, such antiquity shall vest in the State Government with effect from the date of the notice. (3) The power of compulsory purchase given by this section shall not extend to any image or symbol actually used for bona fide religious observances.