Procedure in confiscation.

(1) When in any case tried by a criminal court, the court decides that anything is liable to confiscation under section 6, it may, after hearing the person, if any, claiming any right thereto and the evidence, if any, which he produces in support of his claim, order confiscation.

(2) When an offence under this Act has been committed and the offender is not known or cannot be found or when anything liable to confiscation under this Act and not in the possession of any person cannot be satisfactorily accounted for, the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf may hold an inquiry and may order confiscation :

Provided that no such order shall be made before the expiration of one month from the date of seizing the thing liable to confiscation or without hearing the person, if any, claiming any right thereto and the evidence, if any, which he produces in support of his claim.