Section 79 in Sikkim Forests, Water Courses and Road Reserve (Preservation and Protection) Act, 1988
79.
(1)Without prejudice to the powers conferred upon a forest officer under this Act, Government may, by notification, invest any forest officer with all or any of the following powers, that is to say:(a)to enter upon any land and survey, demarcate and make a map of the same;(b)to compel the attendance of witnesses, production of documents and the materials of objection;(c)to hold investigation into forest offence, and in the course of such investigation to receive and record evidence;(d)to notify the seasons and manner in which fire may be kindled, kept or carried in a Reserved Forest or Forest;(e)to grant permits referred to in the provisions of this Act;(f)to give public notice of timber collected under section 45;(g)to notify stations, depots for the receptions and sale of timber and forest produce;(h)to take possession of property under this Act;(i)to stop and check any vehicle suspected of being involved in a forest offence;(j)to compound cases and charge compensation for damages caused by commission of forest offence.(2)Any evidence recorded under clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be admissible in any subsequent trial before a Magistrate:Provided that it has been taken in the presence of the accused person and recorded in the manner as provided under sections 355, 356 or 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
