Cognizance of offences

(1) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act, except on a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made by such officer as may be authorised by the State Government. (2) The State Government or such officer as may be authorised may, either before or after the institution of proceedings for any offence punishable under this Act, accept from any person charged with such offence by way of composition of the offence a sum of money not exceeding rupees one thousand and direct the release of cattle, vehicle or other which has been seized as liable to forfeiture under this Act, on payment of such further sum of money as he may deem fit not exceeding the value thereof estimated by him. (3) On payment of the composition money and additional sum of money, as provided in sub-section (2), to such officer, the person, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall have been instituted against such person in any criminal court, the composition shall be deemed to amount to an acquittal and in no case shall any further proceeding be taken against such person, cattle, vehicle or thing in respect of the same offence. (4) The officer compounding any offence may order the cancellation of any licence or permit granted under this Act to the offender, or if not empowered to do so, report to the officer so empowered for the cancellation of such licence or permit.