Confiscation of things by Prohibition and Excise Officers in certain cases.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force where, anything liable for confiscation under section 12 is seized and detained under the provisions of this Act, the officer seizing and detaining such property shall without any unreasonable delay, produce the said seized property before the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise who has jurisdiction over the area. (2) On production of the said seized property under sub-section (1), the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise if satisfied that an offence under this Act has been committed may whether or not a prosecution is instituted for the commission of such an offence, order confiscation of such property: Provided that the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise specially empowered in that behalf may accept such sum of money as may be prescribed in lieu of confiscation and release the animals or vessels or carts or other vehicles reasonably suspected of involvement in any offence falling under sub-clause (i) of clause (b) of section 8 of this Act. (3) while making an order of confiscation under sub-section (2), the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise may also order that such of the properties to which the order of confiscation relates which in his opinion need not be preserved; or are not fit for human consumption be destroyed. (4) Where the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise after passing an order of confiscation under sub-section (2) is of the opinion that it is expedient in public interest so to do, he may order the confiscated property or any part thereof to be sold by public auction or dispose of departmentally. (5) The Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise shall submit a full report of all particulars of confiscation to the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise within twenty four hours of such confiscation. (6) The Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise shall, for purposes of this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 when making enquiries under this section in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) receiving evidence on affidavits; (b) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; and (c) compelling the production of documents.