Power to compound offences

(1) The State Government may, by order, empower a Tree Officer,-

(a) to compound on payment of a sum equivalent to twenty-five per cent of the value of the property involved in the offence, any offence under this Act;

(b) to release any property seized or liable to confiscation, on payment of the value thereof, as estimated by such officer.

(2) On the payment of such sum or such value or both, as the case may be, to such officer, the offender, if in custody, shall be released. The property, if any, seized shall be released and no further proceedings shall be taken against such offender or property.