Compounding of offence or withdrawal of proceedings

38.

1. (1) The Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer, or any officer authorised in this behalf by the Director may by general or special order, either before or after the institution of the proceedings, compound any offence made punishable by or under this Act or the rules made thereunder or withdraw from such proceedings at any stage.
2. (2) When an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged, and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of the offence compounded.