Section 57 of IFA : Section 57: Procedure When Offender Not Known, Or Cannot Be Found

Explanation using Example

Imagine a situation where a large quantity of illegally logged timber is discovered in a forest reserve, but the individuals responsible for the logging cannot be identified or located. The forest officer seizes the timber and reports the incident to the local magistrate. After a month has passed since the seizure and no one has come forward to claim the timber with a legitimate reason, the magistrate determines that a forest offence has been committed.

The magistrate then issues an order for the confiscated timber to be officially taken into the custody of the forest department. This action is taken under Section 57 of The Indian Forest Act, 1927, which allows for the confiscation of property involved in a forest offence when the offender is unknown or cannot be found, ensuring that the illegally obtained property does not return to the wrong hands and is instead used for the benefit of the forest department or an entitled person deemed by the magistrate.