Compounding of offences

(1) Any offence punishable under this Act may, before the institution of the prosecution be compounded, on payment of such amount for credit to the Government, by such officers or authorities as the Government may by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf. (2) Where any offence has been compounded under sub-section (1) no proceedings shall be taken against the offender, in respect of the offence as compounded.