Section 48: Procedure in regard to perishable property seized under section 44

(1) Except where a forest offence has been compounded, the ¹[Magistrate or Authorised Officer] may direct the sale of any property seized under section 44, which is subject to speedy and natural decay, and if in the opinion of the officer seizing such property, it is not possible to obtain the orders of the ¹[Magistrate or Authorised Officer] in time, such officer may sell the property himself, remit the scale proceeds into the nearest Government treasury and make a report of such seizure, sale and remittance to the¹[Magistrate or Authorised Officer] and thereupon the 1[Magistrate or Authorised Officer] shall take such measures as may be necessary for the trial of the accused.

(2) The¹[Magistrate or Authorised Officer] may deal with the proceeds of the sale of any property held under sub-section (1) in the same manner as he might have dealt with the property if it had not been sold.