Whenever property is seized by any police officer and 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 an order regarding the disposal of the property or the delivery of the property to the person entitled to its possession. If the rightful owner cannot be identified, the Magistrate may issue orders regarding the custody and production of the property.

If the person entitled to the property is known, the Magistrate may order its delivery to that person, subject to any conditions deemed appropriate. If the rightful owner is unknown, the Magistrate may detain the property and issue a proclamation detailing the property and requesting any person who may have a claim to it to appear before the Magistrate and establish their claim within six months from the date of the proclamation.