52. (1) When there is reason to believe that a forest-offence has been committed in respect of any forest-produce, such produce, together with all tools, ¹[vessels], vehicles or cattle used in committing any such offence, may be seized by any Forest-officer or Police-officer ²[or any other officer authorized in this behalf by or under any other law inforce]. ³[(1a) Every officer other than a Forest-officer seizing any property under this section shall hand over all the seized property mentioned under sub-section (1) along with the accused to the nearest forest-office for further legal proceedings:Provided that police-officers need not hand over the accused to the nearest forest-office but shall inform such forest-office of the arrest.] (2) Every officer seizing any property under this section shall place on such property a mark indicating that the same has been so seized, and shall, as soon as may be, make a report of such seizure to the Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the offence on account of which the seizure has been made:Provided that, when the forest-produce with respect to which such offence is believed to have been committed is the property of Government, and the offender is unknown, it shall be sufficient if the officer makes, as soon as may be, a report of the circumstances to his official superior.