Section 37

Where no prosecution has commenced in respect of any article seized under this Act, such article shall be forfeited at the expiration of one month from the date of seizure unless a claim thereto is made before that period in the manner described in subsection (2).

Any person asserting that he is the owner of any such article and that it is not liable to forfeiture may, personally or by his agent authorised in writing, give written notice to the Registrar that he claims the same.

On receipt of such notice, the Registrar may direct that such article be released or may refer the matter to the court for its decision.

On a reference made to it under subsection (3), the court shall issue a summons requiring the person asserting that he is the owner of the article and the person from whom it was seized to appear before it and shall proceed to the examination of the matter.

On proof that an offence against this Act has been committed and that such article was the subject-matter of or was used in the commission of such offence, the court shall order the article to be forfeited notwithstanding that no person may have been convicted of such offence and may, in the absence of such proof, order its release.

Protection of informers.