(1) Any Forest officer duly authorised by the Government in this behalf by name or by designation may accept from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed an offence punishable under this Act, such sum of money as may be prescribed, by way of composition of the offence which such person is suspected to have committed.
(2) When any property has been seized as liable for confiscation, such Forest officer after the composition referred in sub-section (1) of the Section may release the name on payment of the value thereof as estimated by such officer.
(3) On payment of such sum of money, and 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 no further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property.
(4) The provisions of this Section shall apply also where a prosecution or an appeal against conviction of offence THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, OCT, 24, 2000 835 under this Act, is pending before a Court and in such case, the composition of such offence shall have the effect of the acquittal of the accused with whom an offence has been compounded provided the Court before whom such prosecution or appeal is pending grants permission for such composition. . ® When court to take cognizance of offence.
16. No Court shall take congizence of any offence under this Act -
(1) except on the complaint made by an officer authorised by the Government in this behalf, and
(2) unless the prosecution is instituted within six months from the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
Bar of suit in civil courts.
17. No suit shall be brought in any Civil Court to set aside or modify any order made under this Act.
Suit, etc.
against authority, officers or persons acting in good faith.
Officer and person to be public servant.
Effect of other laws.
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18. No suit, prosecution or legal proceeding shall lie against any authority, officer or person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.
Exemption.
Power to make rules.
19. Every person or officer, appointed under, or exercising any power conferred by and under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
20. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in deregation of the provision of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891 and the rules made thereunder.
21. The provision of this Act shall not apply to removal of produce to a place outside the State by or an behalf of the Government under the provisions of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891.