26. Purchase of antiquities by Central Government.- (1) If the Central 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 Central Government may make an order for the compulsory acquisition of such antiquity and the Collector shall thereupon give notice to the owner of the antiquity to be acquired.
(2) Where a notice of compulsory acquisition is issued under subsection (1) in respect of any antiquity, such antiquity shall vest in the Central Government with effect from the date of the notice.
(3) The power of compulsory acquisition given by this section shall not extend to any image or symbol actually used for bona fide religious observances.
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