Section 22. Determination of ownership of awards for property appropriated

1.  In the event there may be adverse and conflicting claims asserted to
  an award for property appropriated by the state or any part thereof,  or
  if  there  be  any  apparent  lien  or  encumbrance  on  the property so
  appropriated, or on any interest therein, or any dower or other interest
  which has been asserted by any party  as  affecting  the  rights  to  an
  award, or which has caused the attorney general or other official of the
  state  to  refuse to make payment of any portion of the award, the court
  may, upon motion of a party in an action to determine the amount of said
  award, order the interpleader or joinder of anyone claiming  or  imputed
  to have such a claim or interest.
    The  court  shall determine the respective interests and rights of the
  parties to the award and the method of apportionment thereof, and direct
  to whom the same shall be paid.
    2. In the event the court is unable for any reason  to  determine  the
  various interests in the award for the property appropriated, and in any
  other case as justice requires, it may, in and by its award and judgment
  direct the comptroller to deposit the amount awarded as compensation for
  the  property  appropriated in any bank in which moneys belonging to the
  fund from which such compensation is payable may be  deposited,  to  the
  account  of  such  award.  In  any  case  where the court has directed a
  deposit in accordance with this subdivision, the comptroller may, at his
  option, deposit such money  in  a  sub-account  of  the  eminent  domain
  account established by section ninety-seven-dd of the state finance law.
  Any  deposits  made  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  shall  be paid and
  distributed to the persons entitled  to  the  same  as  ordered  by  the
  supreme court on application of any person interested in such award.