When an offence under this Act has been committed and the offender is not known or cannot be found or when anything liable to confiscation under this Act is found or seized, the 1[Commissioner], Collector or any other officer authorised by the 2[State] Government in this behalf may make an inquiry and if after such inquiry is satisfied that an offence has been committed, may order the thing found to be confiscated: Provided that no such order shall be made before the expiry of one month from the date of seizure, or without hearing 3[the person, if any, claiming any right thereto] and the evidence, if any, which he produces in support of his claim.
<span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>When an offence under this Act has been committed and the offender is not known or cannot be found or when anything liable to confiscation under this Act is found or seized, the <sup>1</sup>[Commissioner], Collector or any other officer authorised by the <sup>2</sup>[State] Government in this behalf may make an inquiry and if after such inquiry is satisfied that an offence has been committed, may order the thing found to be confiscated:<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>Provided that no such order shall be made before the expiry of one month from the date of seizure, or without hearing <sup>3</sup>[the person, if any, claiming any right thereto] and the evidence, if any, which he produces in support of his claim.<br>