Confiscation

(1) Where an Authorised Officer seizes any electric supply-line material or when any such electric supply-line material is produced before him or is made over to him by the Police, he shall, if he is satisfied that an offence under this Act has been committed in respect thereof, order the confiscation of the electric supply-line material together with all tools, ropes, chains, vehicles, vessels and other conveyance used in committing such offence within the prescribed time: Provided that no order confiscating any electric supply-line material or any tools, ropes, chains, vehicles, or other conveyances used in committing the offence shall be made, unless the person from whom the property is seized is given- (a) a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is proposed to confiscate such property, tools, ropes, chains and vehicles, vessels and other conveyance; (b) an opportunity of making representation in writing within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice against the grounds of confiscation; and (c) a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter. (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1) no order confiscating any vehicle, vessel or other conveyance shall be made, if the owner of such vehicle, vessel, or other conveyance prove to the satisfaction of the Authorised Officer that it was used in carrying the electric supply-line material without the knowledge or connivance of the owner himself and his agent, if any, and the person in charge of the vehicle, vessel or other conveyance had taken all reasonable and necessary precautions against such use.