FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL HUNTING AND TRADECentral

Section 58N of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

1[58N. Constitution of Appellate Tribunal.-- (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an Appellate Tribunal to be called the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property consisting of a Chairman, and such number of other members (being officers of the State Government not below the rank of a Principal Secretary to the Government), as the State Government thinks fit, to be appointed by that Government for hearing appeals against the orders made under section 58F, section 58-I, sub-section (1) of section 58K or section 58L.

(2)The Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal shall be a person who is or has been or is qualified to be a Judge of a High Court.
(3)The terms and conditions of service of the Chairman and other members shall be such as may be prescribed.]

Summary

The State Government creates a special court called the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property.
This Tribunal handles appeals against property seizure, forfeiture, and trust property orders.
The group consists of a Chairman and other members appointed by the State Government.
The Chairman must be or have been a High Court judge, or be qualified to be one.
Other members must be senior state officers at or above the rank of Principal Secretary.

Practical examples

1The State of Karnataka sets up a Tribunal in Bengaluru. They appoint a retired High Court judge as the Chairman to oversee cases where hunters are challenging the seizure of their trucks.

2To fill the remaining seats on the Tribunal, the government selects two active Principal Secretaries from the state administration who have extensive legal and administrative experience.

FAQ

1. What is the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property under the Wild Life Act?

It is a body constituted under Section 58N of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to hear appeals regarding seized or forfeited property.

2. Who can be the Chairman of the Tribunal under Section 58N of the Wild Life law?

Under Section 58N of the Wild Life law, the Chairman must be a person who is, has been, or is qualified to be a Judge of a High Court.

3. What rank must Tribunal members hold under Section 58N of the Wild Life Protection law?

Members other than the Chairman must be state officers not below the rank of a Principal Secretary to the Government.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 58N of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, who has the power to constitute the Appellate Tribunal?

Q2.According to Section 58N of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, what is the minimum rank for members other than the Chairman?

Q3.Which of these is NOT an order that can be appealed to the Tribunal under Section 58N of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972?

Q4.Under Section 58N of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which qualification is required for the Chairman?

58MPreviousSection 58M Certain transfer to be null and void.58ONextSection 58O Appeals.

←Section 58M Section 58O→