Public Safety (Emergency Powers) Act, 1923

Restitution of stolen property.

7.—Whenever any stolen property shall be recovered by or otherwise come into the custody of a responsible officer, such responsible officer may upon being satisfied that such property is in fact stolen property and being satisfied of the identity of the owner, order such stolen property to be restored to the owner thereof notwithstanding that the person by whom such property was stolen has not been charged, tried, or convicted: Provided always that if such owner has already received compensation under the Damage to Property (Compensation) Act, 1923 (No. 15 of 1923) for the loss of such stolen property he shall before such stolen property is actually restored to him, repay or return to the Minister for Finance such compensation or such lesser sum as may be deemed by such Minister to be the fair value of such stolen property at the time of the restoration thereof.