Section Text
(1) The State Government may, by notification, invest any Forest Officer with all or any 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 civil court to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and material objects;
(c) power to issue a search warrant under the1[Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act II of 1974);]
(d) power to hold inquiries into forest offences, and, in the course of such inquiry, to receive and record evidence;
(e) power to notify the seasons and manner in which fire may be kindled, kept or carried in a reserved forest;
(f) power to grant any permission referred to in sections 25 and 50;
(g) power to notify stations for the reception of drift timbers;
(h) power to give public notice of timber collected under section 53;
(i) power to take possession of property under this Act;
(j) power to direct the release of property or withdrawal of charges;
(k) power to stop and check any vehicle suspected to carry forest produce.
2[(l) power to do any other act which, in the opinion of the State Government, is conducive to the better protection and security of forest wealth belonging to the State Government and in particular sandal wood.]
(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 and recorded in the manner provided by1[section 274 or section 275 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act II of 1974).]
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1. Substituted by Act 10 of 1989 w.e.f. 16.3.1989.
2. Inserted by Act 1 of 1981 w.e.f. 23.2.1981.