Amendment of section 52

(1) For sub-section (1) of section 52 of the Principal Act, the following shall be substituted, namely.- "(1) When there is reason to believe that a forest offence has been committed in respect of any reserved forest and protected forest or forest produce, the produce and all tools, boats, vehicles, ropes, chains or any other article used in committing such offence may be seized by any forest officer or police officer." (2) After sub-section (5) of Section 52 of the Principal Act, the following shall be added, namely.- "(6) The seized property shall continue to be under custody until confirmation of the order of the authorized officer by the Appellate Authority or until the expiry of the period for initiating 'suo moto' action by him whichever is earlier, as prescribed under Section 52-A. (7) Where the authorized officer having jurisdiction over the case is himself involved in seizure or investigation, the next higher authority may transfer the case to any other officer of the same rank for conducting proceedings under this Section."