12. Validation of action taken, etc., under notification No.S.O.1764, dated 16th June, 1992.- Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority--
(a) any thing done or purported to be done or any action taken or purported to be taken by the Central Government, except as provided in the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 20A, immediately before the commencement of this Act, in pursuance of the notification of the Government of India in the Department of Culture (Archaeological Survey of India) number S.O.1764, dated the 16th June, 1992 issued under rule 34 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, shall be deemed to be and deemed to have always been done or taken validly and in accordance with law at all material times [except as provided in the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 20A] and no action taken or thing done (including any order made, agreement entered into, or notification issued for constituting any Expert Advisory Committee) in connection with any permission granted or licence issued for any construction in a prohibited area or a regulated area in respect of a protected monument, shall be deemed to be invalid or ever to have become invalid except as provided in the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 20A merely on the ground that the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 or the rules, orders or notifications issued thereunder did not contain any provision for constitution of an Expert Advisory Committee or Advisory Committee, as the case may be;
(b) no suit, claim or other proceedings shall be instituted, maintained or continued in any court, tribunal or other authority for any permission or licence granted by the Central Government or the Director-General under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 or any rule, order or notification made thereunder for carrying out any repair, renovation or construction work or for undertaking any public work or public project before the commencement of this Act;
(c) no claim or challenge shall be made in or entertained by any court, tribunal or other authority solely on the ground that the Central Government or the Director-General did not take into consideration any of the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, as amended by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, in granting any permission or licence for the purpose of carrying out any mining or repair, renovation or construction work in a prohibited area or a regulated area at any time between the 16th day of June, 1992 and the date of commencement of this Act.
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