This Act may be called The Lunatic Soldiers' Property Act, 1873:

Local extent. It extends to the whole of British India, and, so far as regards subjects of Her Majesty, to the dominions of Native Princes and States in India in alliance with Her Majesty;

Commencement. And it shall come into force on the passing thereof.

In this Act

Officer . Officer means a Commissioned Officer of Her Majesty's Army, or of Her Majesty's Indian Army; and

Soldier . Soldier means a Soldier of Her Majesty's Army, or a European Soldier of Her Majesty's Indian Army, including a Warrant and a Non-Commissioned Officer.

When an Officer or Soldier becomes insane on service, but is not removed, put on half-pay, of discharged, on the ground of insanity, such Committee of Officers as the Governor General in Council may from time to time prescribe, shall immediately secure all such of his effects as are within the territories to which this Act extends.

Such effects shall be liable to be applied in or towards payment of any expenses necessarily incurred in the maintenance and removal of such Officer or Soldier to any place in India, and of any such expenses and debts incurred and owing by him as would, under Part I of the Regimental Debts' Act, 1863, be preferential charges on his moveable property in case he had died on service, with the like preference in the like order, and subject to the like provision fo decision of doubt or difference, as would in that case apply, as nearly as may be, mutatis mutandis.

If any person who would, if such Officer or Soldier were dead, be entitled to take out representation to him (otherwise than as a creditor), or his wife (if any), or any near relative, pays in full the expense and debts aforesaid, the said Committee shall no further interfere in relation to the property.

If such payment is not made, then, within one month after the insanity is known at the quarters where the property is, the said Committee may sell and convert into money such part of the property as they think fit,

and, after paying out of the proceeds the expenses attending the discharge of their duties, shall pay there out the expenses and debts aforesaid,

and shall dispose of any property then remaining in their hands in such manner as may from time time be prescribed by the Governor General in Council, or by such Officer as he appoints in this behalf, to the end that the same may be applied for the benefit of the Officer or Soldier to whom it belongs.

Every payment or application of money, and every sale or other disposition of property, made by any Committee in pursuance of this Act, shall be valid as against all persons whomsoever.

Indemnity. And every Officer belonging to any such Committee shall be discharged from all liability in respect of the money or other property so paid, applied or disposed of.

The Governor General in Council may, from time to time, prescribe such regulations as may seem fit for the better execution of any of the purposes of this Act.