Consider the following statements with regard to seizure of property under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 :
1. Any police officer may seize any property which may be suspected to be stolen.
2. Any police officer may seize any property which may be found under circumstances which create suspicion of the commission of any offence.
3. If the value of the property seized is less than one thousand rupees and the person entitled to its possession is absent, the court may direct its sale by auction forthwith.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. According to Section 102(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, any police officer may seize any property which may be alleged or suspected to have been stolen, or which may be found under circumstances which create suspicion of the commission of any offence.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Under Section 459 of the CrPC, 1973, the Magistrate may direct the sale of property if the person entitled to its possession is unknown or absent and the property is subject to speedy and natural decay, or if the Magistrate is of the opinion that its sale would be for the benefit of the owner, or that the value of such property is less than five hundred rupees. The threshold of one thousand rupees is a provision in the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, but not in the CrPC, 1973.