Seizure of property liable to confiscation

Seizure of property liable to confiscation. (1) When there is reason to believe that a forest offence has been committed in respect of any forest produce, such produce, together with all tools, boats, vehicles or cattle or any other property used in committing any such offence, may be seized by any Forest Officer or Police Officer. (2) Any Forest Officer or Police Officer may, if he has reason to believe that a vehicle has been or is being used for the transport of forest produce in respect of which there is reason to believe a forest offence has been or is being committed, require the driver or other person in charge of such vehicle to stop the vehicle and cause it to remain stationary as long as may reasonably be necessary to examine the contents in the vehicle and inspect all records relating to the goods carried which are in the possession of such driver or other person in charge of the vehicle. (3) Every officer seizing any property under this section shall, as soon as may be, make a report of such seizure,— (a) where the offence on account of which the seizure has been made is in respect of timber, ivory, gulmavu (machilus macrantha) bark, dalchini bark, halmaddi (exudation of ailanthus malabaricum), canes, firewood or charcoal which is the property of the State Government or in respect of sandalwood, to the concerned authorised Officer under section 71A; and (b) in other cases, to the magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence on account of which the seizure has been made; Provided that when the forest produce with respect to which such offence is believed to have been committed is the property of Government, and the offender is unknown, it shall be sufficient if the officer makes, as soon as may be, a report of the circumstances to his official superior.