68 . Power to compound offences.-(!) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the State Government may,… — TIIE INDIAN FORFST ACT, 1927

[68 . Power to compound offences.-(!) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette , empower a Forest Officer,-

1 [68 . Power to compound offences.-(!) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette , empower a Forest Officer,- ( a) to accept from any person about whom re.'\sonable suspicion exists that be has committed any forest offence , other than an offence specified in section 62 or section 63, payment of a sum of money or, at his discretion, an undertaking in writing to pay a sum of money, by w-1.y of compensation for the offence whlch such person is suspected to have committed, and (b) when any property has been seized as liable to confiscation, to release the same on the payment of, or at his discretion, on 'iCCeptance of an undertaking i:n writing to pay, the value thereof as named by such _officer. (2) On the p:i.yment of, or on acceptance of an undertaking in writing to pay, such sum of money , o or such n:i med value, or both, as the case nuy 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, other than _ _ those under section 82 where necess:.ry, shall be taken against such person or property. (3) A Forest Officer shall not be empowered under this section unless be is a Forest Officer of a rank not inferior to that of1 Ranger and is in receipt of a monthly salary amounting to at least one bundered rupees, and the sum of money accepted or agreed to b:: ?.ccepted ;,:s compensation under clause (a) of sub-section (J) shall in no case exceed the sum of five hundred rupees . ]

Section 1