Power to compound offences

(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, empower a Forest Officer by name, or as holding an office, - (a) to accept from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed any forest offence, other than an offence specified in section 59, or section 60, a sum of money by way of compensation for the offence which such person is suspected to have committed, and (b) when any property has been seized as liable to confiscation, to release the same on payment of the value thereof as estimated by such officer. (2) On the payment of such sum of money, or such value, or both, as the case may be, to such officer, the suspected person, if in custody, shall be discharged, the property, if any, seized shall be released and not further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property. (3) No Forest Officer shall be empowered under this section unless he is a Forest Officer of a rank not inferior to that of a Forest Ranger, and is in receipt of a monthly salary amounting to at least Rs. 250 and the sum of money accepted as compensation under sub-section (1) clause (a), shall in no case exceed the sum of Rs. 50.