Procedure where existence of public right is denied

¹⁷⁴[(1) Where an order is made under section 133 for the purpose of preventing obstruction, nuisance or danger to the public in the use of anyway, river, channel or place, the Magistrate shall, on the appearance before him of the person against whom the order was made, question him as to whether he denies the existence of any public right in respect of the way, river, channel or place, and if he does so, the Magistrate shall, before proceeding under section 137 ¹⁷⁵[∗ ∗ ∗], inquire into the matter.

(2) If in such inquiry the Magistrate finds that there is any reliable evidence in support of such denial, he shall stay the proceedings until the matter of the existence of such right has been decided by a competent Civil Court; and, if he finds that there is no such evidence, he shall proceed as laid down in section 137 ¹⁷⁶[∗ ∗ ∗].

(3) A person who has, on being questioned by the Magistrate under sub-section (1) failed to deny the existence of a public right of the nature therein referred to, or who, having made such denial, has failed to adduce reliable evidence in support thereof, shall not in the subsequent proceedings be permitted to make any such denial ¹⁷⁷[∗ ∗ ∗].]

¹⁷⁴ Section 139A was inserted by section 26 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 1923 (Act No. XVIII of 1923)

¹⁷⁵ The words and figure "or section 138" were omitted by section 2 and Schedule of the Law Reforms Ordinance, 1978 (Ordinance No. XLIX of 1978)

¹⁷⁶ The words, figure and comma "or section 138, as the case may require" were omitted by section 2 and Schedule of the Law Reforms Ordinance, 1978 (Ordinance No. XLIX of 1978)

¹⁷⁷ The comma, words and figure ", nor shall any question in respect of the existence of any such public right be inquired into by any jury appointed under section 138" were omitted by section 2 and Schedule of the Law Reforms Ordinance, 1978 (Ordinance No. XLIX of 1978)