Seizure of Property Liable to Confiscation
(1) When there is reason to believethat a forest offence has been committed in respect of any forest produce, suchproduce, together with all tools, boats, vehicles or 1 [cattle or any otherproperty used] in committing any such offence, may be seized by any ForestOfficer or Police Officer.
(2)Any Forest Officer or Police Officer may, if he has reason to believe that avehicle has been or is being used for the transport of forest produce inrespect of which there is reason to believe a forest offence has been or isbeing committed, require the driver or other person in charge of such vehicleto stop the vehicle and cause it to remain stationary as long as may reasonablybe necessary to examine the contents in the vehicle and inspect all recordsrelating to the goods carried which are in the possession of such driver orother person in charge of the vehicle.
(3)Every officer seizing any property under this section 2 [x x x] shall, as soonas may be, 3 [make a report of such seizure,-
(a)where the offence on account of which the seizure has been made is in respectof timber, ivory, 4 [gulmavu (machilus macrantha) bark, dalchini bark, halmaddi(exudation of ailanthus malabaricum), canes], firewood or charcoal which isthe property of the State Government or in respect of sandalwood, to theconcerned authorised Officer under section 71A; and
(b)in other cases, to the magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence onaccount of which the seizure has been made;]
Providedthat when the forest produce with respect to which such offence is believed tohave been committed is the property of Government, and the offender is unknown,it shall be sufficient if the officer makes, as soon as may be, a report of thecircumstances to his official superior.
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1.Substituted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.
2.Omitted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.
3.Substituted by Act 1 of 1981 w.e.f. 23.2.1981.
4.Inserted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.