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Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878. (ACT NO. VI OF 1878. 1. ) (12 February 1878). An Act to amend the law relating to treasures found in India.
It defines treasure specifically as "anything of any value hidden in the soil" and worth as little as 10 rupees (16 cents; 10 pence). The finder of such treasure, according to this law, needs to inform the most senior local official of the "nature and amount or approximate value of such treasure and the place where it was found". Also, if the finder fails to hand over the booty to the government, the "share of such treasure ... shall vest in Her Majesty", the Queen of England. It needs to be amended as its irrelevant now as the British left India in 1947 after India gained independence.
Law not user friendly for Tresure Hunters
The Law is not user friendly and encouraging to Hobby Metal detector enthusiasts or to professional Treasure hunters as practically all finds belong to the local Government however reforms in the law are being sought.
All major metal detecting, excavations and treasure hunts per se are carried out by India's nodal agency setup for the purpose, the Archaeological Survey of India.