Section 458 of CrPC : Section 458: Procedure Where No Claimant Appears Within Six Months

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where the police recover a large number of mobile phones from a suspected thief's house. The police suspect these phones are stolen and seize them. They issue a public notice asking for anyone with a claim to these phones to come forward within a certain period.

In this case, if no rightful owners claim the phones within the specified period, and the suspect cannot provide any proof of legal purchase or ownership of the phones, the Magistrate has the authority to order that the phones be forfeited to the State Government. Following this order, the State Government can sell the phones, and the proceeds from the sale will be managed as per prescribed rules.

If the suspect disagrees with the Magistrate's order, he has the right to appeal to a higher court that typically handles appeals from the Magistrate's court.