Seizure of property liable to confiscation

(1) When there is reason to believe that a forest offence has been committed in respect of any timber or forest produce, such timber or produce, together with all tools, ropes, chains, beats, vehicles and cattle used in committing any such offence, may be seized by a 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 any scheduled timber in respect of which there is reason to believe that 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 remain stationery as long as may reasonably be necessary for examination of the contents in the vehicle and inspection of all records relating to the scheduled timber and in possession of such driver or other person in charge of the vehicle or any other person in the vehicle. (3) Every officer seizing any property under this section shall place on such property or the receptacle (if any) in which it is contained, a mark indicating that the same has been so seized, and shall as soon as may be, (a) where the offence on account of which the seizure has been made is in respect of the scheduled timber which is the property of the Government or in respect of which the Government have nay interest. To the concerned authorized officer under section 49 A., 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 timber or forest produce with respect to which such offence is believed to have been committed is the property of the Central or State 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.