Offences under this chapter and trial of such offences and penalties thereof.

(1) Any A person who contravenes any of the provisions of this chapter or deviates from the prescriptions of the sanctioned working plan without the previous sanction of the Forest Officer, shall be punishable with a fine not exceeding Rs. 1,000 or simple imprisonment not exceeding three months or both. (2) Offences under this section shall be triable by a Magistrate of the first or the second class and proceedings under this section may be instituted on a complaint made by the landlord of the notified forest in respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed or by any right-holder of such a notified forest or by the Forest Officer or by any officer specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf. (3) When any person is convicted of an offence under this section, any trees, timber or other forest produce in respect of which the offence is committed may be liable to forfeiture. If such trees, timber or other forest produce has or have been destroyed or converted or otherwise disposed of by him, the value thereof may be recoverable from him in the same way as a fine imposed on him under sub-section (1). (4) Any trees, timber or other forest produce forfeited under this section shall be disposed of in such manner as the Collector may, subject to rules, if any, direct.