Procedure when offender is not known or cannot be found -Where

the

4[Magistrate or Authorised Officer] is of opinion that a forest offence was committed but the offender is not known or cannot be found, he may on an application made in this behalf order the property, in respect of which the offence was committed and which was seized, 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

4[Magistrate or

Authorised Officer] considers to be entitled to the same: Provided that before making any such order the

4[Magistrate or

Authorised Officer] shall cause a notice of any application made under this . Inserted by Act No. 17 of 1976, section 2. . Section substituted by Act No. 17 of 1976, section . . Substituted by Act 15 of 2016, section 12. . Substituted by Act 15 of 2016, section 13.

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 such manner as he thinks fit: Provided further that no such order shall be made until the expiration of thirty days 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.