Compounding of offences

Compounding of offences.--(1) Any offence punishable under sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 or 58 of this Act may whether before or after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by the Controller or such other officer as may be authorised in this behalf by the Controller, on payment for credit to the Government, of such sum as the Controller or such other officer may specify : Provided that such sum shall not, in any case, exceed the maximum amount of the fine which may be imposed under this Act for the offence so compounded.

1. (2) Nothing in sub-section
2. (1) shall apply to a person who commits the same or similar offence within a period of three years from the date the first offence, committed by him, was compounded. Explanation.--For the purpose of this sub-section, any second or subsequent offence committed after the expiry of a period of three years from the date on which the offence was previously compounded shall be deemed to be a first offence.
3. (3) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged forthwith.
4. (4) No offence under this Act shall be compounded except as provided by this section.