Composition of Offences

(1) Any forest officer not below the rank of a Divisional Forest Officer may, either before or after the institution of proceedings, compound any offence: (a) where the offence consists of the contravention of any provision of this Act or of any rule made thereunder and the value of the forest produce, in respect of which the offence is believed to have been committed, does not exceed Rs. 5,000; and (b) where the offence consists in the contravention of the provisions of this Act or rule made thereunder, other than that specified in clause (a) on payment of such amount as may be estimated by the officer concerned. (2) Any person in respect of whom the offence is compounded shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of the offence so compounded. (3) Any forest officer, on receipt of any information, may, after making such investigation as he may deem necessary, may compound the offence, the value of which does not exceed the limit specified in sub-section (1).