(1) The1[ State Government ] may invest any Forest-officer with all or of the following powers, that is to say:-
(a) power to enter upon any land and to survey, demarcate and make a map of the same;
(b) the powers of a Civil Court to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and material objects;
(c) power to issue a search-warrant under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)2; and
(d) power to hold an inquiry into forest-offences, and, in the course of such inquiry, to receive and record evidence.
(2) Any evidence recorded under clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be admissible in any subsequent trial before a Magistrate, provided that it has been taken in the presence of the accused person.
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1. Substituted by the A.O. 1950, for "Provincial Government".
2. See Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
Section 73 - Forest officers deemed public servants
All Forest-officers shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860).
Section 74 - Indemnity for acts done in good faith
No suit shall lie against any public servant for anything done by him in good faith under this Act.
Section 75 - Forest-officers not to trade
Except with the permission in writing of the1[ State Government ] , no Forest-officer shall, as principal or agent, trade in timber or other forest-produce, or be or become interested in any lease of any forest or in any contract for working any forest, whether in or outside 2[ the territories to which this Act extends ].
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1. Substituted by the A.O. 1950, for "Provincial Government".
2. Substituted by the Adaption of Laws (No. 3) Order, 1956, for "Part A States and Part C States".