Power to compound offences and to release property liable to confiscation

(1) The Excise Commissioner or the Collector, or any Excise Officer specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf not below the rank of Superintendent of Excise :- (a) may accept from any person whose license, permit or pass is liable to be cancelled or suspended under clause (a) clause (b) or clause (c) of section 40, or who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence punishable under any section of this Act other than section 57. payment of a sum of money, not exceeding rupees five thousand in lieu of such cancellation or suspension by way of composition for such offence, as the case may be ; and (b) in any case which any property has been seized as being liable to confiscation under section 65, may, at any time before the Magistrate has passed an order under section 66. sub-section (1), release the property on payment of any sum not exceeding the value thereof as estimated by the Collector or such Excise Officer or Rupees five thousand whichever is higher ; 2. When the amount assessed as composition money under subsection (1) have been paid, the accused person, if in custody shall be discharged and the property seized, if any, shall be released; and no further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property.