Compounding of offences

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974), any offence punishable under this Act may, either before the institution of prosecution (before filing of charge-sheet) or with the permission of the Court after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by the Authority on payment to the Authority such compounding fees as may be notified. (2) Where an offence is compounded under subsection (1), no proceeding or further proceeding, as the case may be, shall be taken against the offender in respect of the offence so compounded and the offender, if in custody, shall be released forthwith.