Section 24. Power to compound offences.

(1) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, any officer authorised by the Chief Registrar by a general or special order in this behalf may, either before or after the institution of criminal 1[proceedings under this Act,-- (a) accept from the person, except the person specified in sub-section (1A) of section 23, who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence a sum of money not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees; (b) accept from the person specified in sub-section (1A) of section 23, who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence a sum of money not exceeding one thousand rupees in respect of each birth or death.] (2) On the payment of such sum of money, such person shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of such offence.