Power to compound offences

(1) The prescribed authority may, at any time, accept from a person, who has committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence, a sum of money not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees or double the amount of duty payable under this Act, whichever is greater. (2) On payment of such sum of money as determined under sub-section (1), the prescribed authority shall, where necessary, report to the court that the offence has been compounded and thereafter no further proceedings shall be taken against the offender in respect of the same offence and the said court shall discharge or acquit the accused, as the case may be.