Section 16 in The Orissa Saw Mills and Saw Pits (Control) Act, 1991
16. Burden of Proof.
(1)Where wood whether sawn or unsawn is recovered from a saw mill or saw pit for which no valid licence exists in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the Rules, it shall until the contrary is proved, be presumed that the saw mill or saw pit was in operation, and the burden of so proving the contrary shall lie on the accused.(2)Where, in any prosecution for an offence against this Act or the Rules, it is established that any wood declared unlawful was seized in the premises of a saw mill of a person, or at any site where sawing was being done, it shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed that such person has contravened the provisions of the Act or the Rules, and the burden of so proving the contrary shall lie on the accused.
