Compounding of Offences

(1) Any offence punishable under this Act may either before or after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by such officer or authorities with the approval of the superior officer not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police or the Superintendent of Police of the concerned District, as the case may be, and for such amount as the Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf. (2) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1) above, the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of such offence.