Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973
457.Procedure by Police upon seizure of property.-
(1) Whenever the seizure of property by any police officer is
reported to a Magistrate under the provisions of this Code, and such property
is not produced before a Criminal Court during an inquiry or trial, the
Magistrate may make such order as he thinks fit respecting the disposal of such
property or the delivery of such property to the person entitled to the
possession thereof, or if such person cannot be ascertained, respecting the
custody and production of such property.
(2) If the person so entitled is known, the Magistrate may order
the property to be delivered to him on such conditions (if any) as the
Magistrate thinks fit and if such person is unknown, the Magistrate may detain
it and shall, in such case, issue a proclamation specifying the articles of
which such property consists, and requiring any person who may have a claim
thereto, to appear before him and establish his claim within six months from
the date of such proclamation.