The Supreme Court has ruled that forest officials have no power to order forfeiture of items like vehicles and weapons from poachers if the offence has been compounded at the executive level. A bench of the apex court ruled the power of forfeiture is vested with only the competent court and no such power can be exercised by forest officials who can merely compound an offence. It said any power of forfeiture conferred upon the executive authority merely on suspicion or accusation may amount to depriving a person of his property without authority of law.

The apex court passed the ruling while interpreting Section 54(1) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.