Procedure when offender not known, or cannot be found
Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 deals with procedure when offender not known, or cannot be found. When the offender is not known or cannot be found, the Magistrate may, if he finds that an offence has been committed, order the property in respect of which the offence has been committed to be confiscated and taken charge of by the Forestofficer or to be made over to the person whom the Magistrate The Act came into force on 21 Sep 1927.
When the offender is not known or cannot be found, the Magistrate may, if he finds that an offence has been committed, order the property in respect of which the offence has been committed to be confiscated and taken charge of by the Forestofficer or to be made over to the person whom the Magistrate deems to be entitled to the same:
Provided that no such order shall be made until the expiration of one month from the date of seizing such property, or without hearing the person, if any, claiming any right thereto, and the evidence, if any, which he may produce in support of his claim.
STATE AMENDMENTS
Maharashtra
Amendment of section 57 of Act 16 of 1927.--In section 57 of theprincipal Act, for the word forfeited the word confiscated shall be substituted.
[Vide Maharashtra Act 21 of 2015, s. 8].
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (UTs).--
Section 57.--For section 57, substitute the following section, namely:--
"57. Procedure when the offender is not known or cannot be found.-- When the offender is not known or cannot be found the Magistrate may, if he finds that an offence has been committed, but subject to section 52B, order the property in respect of which offence has been committed, to be confiscated or forfeited together with all tools, arms, boats, carts, equipment, ropes, chains, machines, vehicles, cattle or any other article used in committing the offence, and taken charge of by the Forest officer, or to be made over to the person whom the Magistrate deems to be entitled to the same:
Provided that, no such order shall be made until the expiration of one month from the date of seizing such property or without hearing the person, if any, claiming any right thereto, and the evidence, if any, which he may produce in support of his claim."
[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).]
Uttar Pradesh
Amendment of section 57--In section 57 of the principal Act, for the words "The Magistrate may" the words "the Magistrate, subject to section 52-D may." shall be substituted.
[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 1 of 2001, s. 10]
Uttarakhand.--
Amendment of section 57.--In section 57 of the principal Act, for the words "The Magistrate may" the words "The Magistrate, subject to section 52-D, may" shall be substituted.
[Vide Uttarakhand Act 10 of 2002, s. 10]
Maharashtra.--
Amendment of section 57 of Act XVI of 1927.-- In section 57 of the principal Act, for the portion beginning with the words "the Magistrate may" and ending with the words to be confiscated" the following shall be substituted, namely:--
"the Magistrate may, if he finds that an offence has been committed, but subject to section 61G, order the property in respect of which the offence has been committed, to be forfeited together with tools, boats, vehicles or cattle and other articles used in committing the offence.".
[Vide Maharashtra act VII of 1985, s. 12]
Section 57, The Indian Forest Act, 1927 (Act 16 of 1927).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Questions about Section 57
What does Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act deal with?
Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act is headed "Procedure when offender not known, or cannot be found". When the offender is not known or cannot be found, the Magistrate may, if he finds that an offence has been committed, order the property in respect of which the offence has been committed to be confiscated and taken charge of by the Forestofficer or to be made over to the person whom the Magistrate
How do I find court cases under Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Indian Forest Act 1927 57, section 57 Indian Forest Act 1927, section 57 of the Indian Forest Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 52 (Seizure of property liable to confiscation), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 3 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.
When did Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act come into force?
Section 57 of the Indian Forest Act, cited as Indian Forest Act 1927 57, came into force on 21 Sep 1927, having been enacted on 21 Sep 1927. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 52. Seizure of property liable to confiscation4491 words
- 38. Protection of forests at request of owners2928 words
- 61. Saving of power to release property seized2876 words
- 82. Recovery of money due to Government2108 words
- 20. Notification declaring forest reserved1635 words
- 2. Interpretation clause1380 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.