Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
When the offender is not known or cannot be found, the Magistrate, if he is of opinion that offence has been committed, may, on application in this behalf order the property in respect of which the offence has been committed to be confiscated and taken possession of by or under the authority of the Divisional Forest Officer, or to be made over to any person whom the Magistrate considers to be entitled to the same: Provided that no such order shall be made until the expiration of one month from the date of seizing such property or without hearing the person, if any, claiming any right thereto, and the evidence, if any, which he may produce in support of his claim. The Magistrate shall cause a notice of any application under this section to be served upon any person who, he has reason to believe, is interested in the property seized, or shall publish such notice in the manner he deems fit.