Compounding of offences

(1) The Station House Officer may, on application of the accused, compound all non-cognizable offences under the Act. (2) The District Police Chief may, on any application made by the accused, compound offences under sections 117, 118 and 119(2) if he deems that the matter is not serious enough to be prosecuted before a court. Provided that no such compounding shall be made in a matter in which the court has already initiated action after submission of charge sheet by police, and on such occasions, the offences may be compounded before such court. (3) The compounding fees to be levied in respect of each category of offence while compounding shall be such as may be prescribed by the Government and the Station House Officer concerned shall collect such compounding fees in accordance with the manner notified by the State Police Chief. (4) Compounding shall not be deemed to be conviction but may be used to prove the previous conduct in any proceeding where such previous conduct is relevant.