Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Seizure of property liable to confiscation :– (1) When there is reason to believe that a forest offence has been committed in respect of any forest produce, such produce, together with all tools, ropes, chains, boats, vehicles or cattle used in committing any such offence may be seized by any Forest Officer or Police Officer. (2) Every Officer seizing any property under this Section shall place on such property a mark indicating that the same has been so seized and shall, as soon as may be, except where the offender agrees in writing to get the offence compounded 3[under Section 72] 4[either produce the property seized before an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Conservator of Forests authorised by the State Government in this behalf by notification (hereinafter referred to as the authorised officer] or make a report of such seizure to the Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence on account of which the seizure has been made : Provided that when the forest produce with respect to which such offence is believed to have 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 the circumstances to his official superior and the Divisional Forest Officer. 2[(2-a) When an authorised officer seizes an forest produce under Sub-Section (1) or where any such forest produce is produced before him under Sub-Section (2) and he is satisfied that a forest offence has been