Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
(1) If having regard to the value of the properties held by any person to whom this Chapter applies, either by himself or through any other person on his behalf, his known sources of income, earnings or assets, and any other information or material available to it as a result of a report from any officer making an investigation under section 58E or otherwise, the competent authority for reasons to be recorded in writing believes that all or any of such properties are illegally acquired properties, it may serve a notice upon such person (hereinafter referred to as the person affected) calling upon him within a period of thirty days specified in the notice to show cause why all or any of such properties, as the case may be, should not be declared to be illegally acquired properties and forfeited to the State Government under this Chapter and in support of his case indicate the sources of his income, earnings or assets, out of which or by means of which he has acquired such property, the evidence on which he relies and other relevant information and particulars. (2) Where a notice under sub-section (1) to any person specifies any property as being held on behalf of such person by any other person, a copy of the notice shall also be served upon such other person. 58-I. Forfeiture of property in certain cases.— (1) The competent authority may, after considering the explanation, if any, to the show cause notice issued under section 58H, and the materials available before it and after giving to the person affected and in a case where the person affected holds any property specified in the notice through any other person, to such other person, also a reasonable opportunity of being heard, by order, record a finding whether all or any of the properties in question are illegally acquired properties: Provided that if the person affected (and in a case where the person affected holds any property specified in the notice through any other person, such other person also), does not appear before the competent authority or represent his case before it within a period of thirty days specified in the show cause notice, the competent authority may proceed to record a finding under this sub-section ex parte on the basis of evidence available before it. (2) Where the competent authority is satisfied that some of the properties referred to in the show cause notice are illegally acquired properties but is not able to identify specifically such properties, then, it shall be lawful for the competent authority to specify the properties which, to the best of its judgment, are illegally acquired properties and record a finding accordingly under sub-section (1) within a period of ninety days. (3) Where the competent authority records a finding under this section to the effect that any property is illegally acquired property, it shall declare that such property shall, subject to the provisions of this Chapter stand forfeited to the State Government free from all encumbrances. (4) In case the person affected establishes that the property specified in the notice issued under section 58H is not an illegally acquired property and therefore not liable to be forfeited under the Act, the said notice shall be withdrawn and the property shall be released forthwith. (5) Where any shares in a company stand forfeited to the State Government under this Chapter, the company shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or the article of association of the company, forthwith register the State Government as the transferee of such shares.