§ 902. — Cancellation; investigation before suit.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 43USC902]
TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS
CHAPTER 21--GRANTS IN AID OF RAILROADS AND WAGON ROADS
Sec. 902. Cancellation; investigation before suit
If at any time prior to the institution of suit by the Attorney
General to cancel any patent or certification of lands erroneously
patented or certified a claim or statement is presented to the Secretary
of the Interior by or on behalf of any person or persons, corporation or
corporations, claiming that such person or persons, corporation or
corporations, is a bona fide purchaser or are bona fide purchasers of
any patented or certified land by deed or contract or otherwise, from or
through the original patentee or corporation to which patent or
certification was issued, no suit or action shall be brought to cancel
or annul the patent or certification for said land until such claim is
investigated in said Department of the Interior; and if it shall appear
that such person or corporation is a bona fide purchaser as aforesaid,
or that such persons or corporations are such bona fide purchasers, then
no such suit shall be instituted and the title of such claimant or
claimants shall stand confirmed; but the Secretary of the Interior shall
request that suit be brought in such case against the patentee, or the
corporation, company, person, or association of persons for whose
benefit the patent was issued or certification was made for the value of
the land as hereinbefore specified.
(Mar. 2, 1896, ch. 39, Sec. 3, 29 Stat. 43.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 903 of this title.
