Procedure when offender is not known or cannot be found

(1) When the offender is not known or cannot be found, the Magistrate inquiring in the offence, if he finds that an offence has been committed, may on application in this behalf, order the property in respect of which the offence has been committed to be confiscated and taken possession of by a Forest Officer specially empowered in this behalf, or to be made over to such Forest Officer or other person as the Magistrate may consider entitled to the same: Provided that no such order shall be made till the expiration of one month form the date of the seizure of such property, or without hearing the person if any, claiming right thereto and the evidence, if any, which he may produce in support of his claim. (2) The Magistrate shall either cause a notice of any application under sub-section (1) to be served upon any person whom he has reason to believe to be interested in the property seized, or publish such notice in any way which he may thinks fit.