Any Forest-officer of a rank not inferior to that of a Ranger who, or whose subordinate, has seized any tools, boats, carts or cattle under section 52, may release the same on the execution by the owner thereof a bond for the production of the property so released, if and when so required, before the Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence on account of which the seizure has been made.
STATE AMENDMENT
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (UTs).--
Section 53.-For section 53, substitute the following section, namely:--
53 Power to release property seized under section 52.- Any forest officer of a rank not inferior to that of a Range Officer, who, or whose subordinate, has seized any tools, arms, boats, carts, equipment, ropes, chains, machines, vehicles, cattle or any other article used in committing any forest offence, including the forest produce, under section 52, may release the same on the execution by the owner thereof, of a security in a form of a bank guarantee, of an amount not less than the value of such property, as estimated by such officer, for the production of the property so released when so required by the Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence or by the authorised officer empowered under sub-section (2) of section 52, on account of which the seizure has been made:
Provided that when any forest produce is seized at a remote location from where it is not practicable to transport it immediately, the officer who, or whose subordinate has effected such seizure under section 52, may entrust the same (Supardnama) to any responsible person on the execution of a bond thereof, by such person, for the production of the property so entrusted if and when required by the Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence or before the authorised officer empowered under sub-section (2) of section 52, on account of which the seizure has been made.
[Vide the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order, 2020, notification No. S.O. 1123(E) dated (18-3-2020) and Vide Union Territory of Ladakh Reorganisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Order, 2020, notification No. S.O.3774(E), dated (23-10-2020).]
STATE AMENDMENT
Orissa
Amendment of sections 52 and 53, (16 of 1927).--In section 52 and 53 of the said Act, for the word "carts" wherever it occurs the word "vehicle" shall be substituted.
[Vide the Orissa Act 11 of 1954, s. 3]
Tripura.--
Amendment of section 53.--In section 53 of the principal Act, for the words "carts or cattle", the words and mark "carts, vehicles or cattle" shall be substituted.
[Vide the Tripura Act 10 of 1984, s. 6]
Uttar Pradesh
Amendment of section 53--In section 53 of the principal Act,--
(i) for the words "vehicles or cattle" the words "vehicles, cattle, ropes, chains or other articles" shall be substituted.
(ii) after the words "the seizure has been made" the words "except in respect of cases falling under section 52-A for which the procedure laid down in that section shall be followed" shall be inserted.]
[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 1 of 2001, s. 8]