12. Offences under this Chapter and trial of such offences and penalties therefor.
(1)Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be punishable with fine not exceeding fifty rupees for the first offence and with fine not exceeding one hundred rupees or simple imprisonment not exceeding three months or both for the second or any subsequent offence.(2)Offences under this Section shall be triable by a Magistrate of the first or second class, and proceedings under this Section may be instituted on a complaint made by the landlord of the forest in respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed or by any right-holder of such forest or by Forest Officer or by any officer specially empowered by the [State] [Substituted by A.L.O.] Government in this behalf.(3)When any person is convicted of an offence under this Section, he shall forfeit any tree, timber or other forest-produce in respect of which the offence is committed, if such trees, timber or other forest produce is or are still in his possession or under his control or, if such trees, timber or other forest produce has or have been destroyed or converted or otherwise disposed of by him, the value thereof shall be recoverable from him, in the same way as a fine imposed on him under sub-section (1).(4)Any trees, timber or other forest produce forfeited under this section shall be disposed of in such manner as the Collector may, subject to rules, if any, direct.
