When any such application as aforesaid is made the Revenue-officer shall issue a notice to all persons who seem to him prima facie to have a right equal or prior to that of the applicant, and shall also cause local proclamation to issue in the village in or from which the holding was cultivated, inviting all persons claiming to be heirs of the tenant who made the transfer to appear before him on a date to be fixed ; and shall, after hearing such of the persons to whom notice was issued as may appear, and any other persons who may apply to be heard in the matter, decide who from among such of them as desire to be placed in possession is first entitled to be so placed :
     Provided that in the case of a sub-lease, if the tenant who made the sub-lease appears and pays within such period as the Revenue-officer may determine the amount of the consideration, if any has passed, for which the sub-lease was made, and the costs of the applicant if he would otherwise have been successful, the Revenue-officer may replace the tenant himself in possession of the land, if he is satisfied that the tenant made sub-lease in ignorance of the law and is able and willing to cultivate the holding.