Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(I) Whcn thcre is reason to believe that an offence has bccn committed in respect PkqBsrl~ of any mincrel, such mineral, together with all tools, vehicles or other conveyance zzdm p.uled in committing any such offence may bc seized by any oficer authorised by thcs Qovernment in that bchalf (heleinafter ~eferred to as the Authorised Officer) or a Police Ofimr. (21 Every Ofiwr scjzing any property undu this section shall place on such proprty a mark in such manner as may bc prcscribcd, 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 Offencc: cornpoandcd, either produoe the property seized before the Competent Authority or make a report 'of such seizuer to the Magidrate having J~risdiction to try the offience on account of which the sejme ha8 km made. (3) Where any mineral seized under sub-section (I) is produced before the Competent Authority under subsection (2) and he is satisfied that an offence bas ken committed in respect thereof, ' he may order codscation of the * mineral so seized and produd, together with the tools, vehicles or other conveyances used in committing such offence. (4) No order confiscating any property shaIl be made ~ d e t suMection (3) unless tfre person from whom the property is seized is given- (a) a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is proposed to confimb such property ; (b) an opportunity of making a representation in writing within such reasonable time as may be specified in .- the notice against the grounds for codsca- 6rration ; and (c) a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter. 45) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (4) no order of confiscation under sub-section (3) of any tool, vehicIe or other conveyance shall be made if the owner thereof proves to the satisfaction of Competent Authority that it h s used without his knowledge or, connivance or the knowledge or connivance of bis agent, If any, or the person incharge of the tool, vehicle or other conveyance . in committing the offence and ther each of them had taken all msoaable and m s a r y prautions against such use. -(6) The property set& under this section shall bc kept in the custody of the authorised oFcer or with any third :party until the compensation for comp- ounding the offence IS paid or until an order of the Magistrate dir~ting its disposal is rmived. -, (7) Any Officer above the rank of the Competent Authority empower@ by the Government in this behalf by notification, may, within thirty days from the date or'the order of confiscalion by the Competent Authority under sub-section (3), on an application call for and examine the remrds of the case and may make such enquiry or -use such enquiry to be made and pass such order as he may think fir: Provided that no order prejudicial to any person shall be passed without .giving htm an opportunity of being heard.