(1) Any offence, which has been committed and is punishable under this 'Act, may either before or after institution of the prosecution, be compounded by such officer, and for such amount not exceeding ten thousand rupees, as the State Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, specify:
Provided that such net present value of timber, as may be prescribed by rules considering the importance of timber, may also be recovered from the offender.
(2) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceeding shall be taken against him in respect of such offence and the property seized under this Act shall be. released.
(3) The compounding of an offence under sub-section (1) shall be allowed only in respect of the first offence committed by any person and no such compounding shall be made for any subsequent offence committed by the same person.
Power to prevent commission of offence.
Officers to be public servant.
Execution of order for payment.
Bar on proceedings.