Compounding of offences

(1) Any offence punishable under this Act may, before the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by such officer as may be authorised by Notification in the Official Gazette, by the State Government in this behalf, on payment, for credit to the State Government, of such sum as such officer may specify. (2) Where any offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), no proceeding shall be taken against the offender, in respect of the offence as compounded, and the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged.