Nothing in the TelanganaMinor Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1971, shall apply to minor forest produce in the scheduled areas in respect of which the provisions of this regulation apply.
7. Establishment of check post or barrier and search and seizure etc: ---(1) The Corporation may, with a view to secure compliance with the provisions of this Regulation, direct the setting up of check posts of erection of barriers or both wherever deemed necessary.
(2) Any officer authorized by the Corporation in this behalf may, with a view to securing compliance with the provisions of this regulation or the rules thereunder or to satisfying himself that the said provisions have been complied with.
(i) stop and search any person, boat, vehicle or receptacle used orintended to be used for the transport of a minor forest produce.
(ii) enter and search any place ; and
(iii) where there is reason to believe that an offence punishable under this regulation or any rule made thereunder has been committed in respect of any minor forest produce, seize such minor forest produce together with the receptacles, if any, in which it is contained and all tools, ropes, chains, boats, vehicles or cattle used in committing any such offence.
(3) Every officer seizing minor forest produce and other property under Clause (iii) of sub-section (2) shall place on such produce or other property a mark indicating that the same has been so seized and shall, except where the offender agrees in writing forthwith to get the offence compounded in the manner prescribed, make a report of such seizure to the Magistrate.
(4) The officer who has seized any property other than the minor forest produce, under Clause (iii) of sub-section (2) may release the same on the execution by the owner thereof a bond or the production of the property so seized, if and when so required, before the Magistrate.
(5) Upon the receipt of any report under sub-section (3), the Magistrate shall, except where the offence is compounded, take such measures as may be necessary for the trial of the accused and the disposal, of the minor forest produce and other property according to law.
(6) The minor forest produce and other property seized under Clause (iii) of sub-section (2) shall be kept in the custody of the officer until the compensation for compounding the offence is paid or until an order of the Magistrate directing its disposal is received.
(7) The provisions of Section 102 and 103 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, (Act 5 of 1898) relating to search and seizure shall, so far as may be, apply to searches and seizures under this section.
5