Section 27A. Compounding of offences.

1[27A. Compounding of offences.- (1) Any offence of contravention of any of the provisions of any Scheme punishable under the Scheme, may, on an application of the accused person, either before or after the institution of any prosecution, be compounded by the Chairman of the concerned Board, for a sum of fifty per cent., of the maximum fine provided for such offence, in such manner as may be prescribed : Provided that, such amount of composition shall be credited to the administrative account of the concerned Board established for the purpose of administration of that Board. (2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall apply to an offence committed by a person for the second time or thereafter within a period of three years from the date,- (a) of commission of a similar offence which was earlier compounded; or (b) of commission of similar offence for which such person was earlier convicted. (3) Where any offence is compounded before the institution of any prosecution, no prosecution shall be instituted in relation to such offence, against the offender in relation to whom the offence is so compounded. (4) Where the composition of any offence is made after the institution of any prosecution, such composition shall be brought by the Chairman of the concerned Board, referred to in sub-section (1), in writing, to the notice of the Court, before whom the prosecution is pending and on such notice of the composition of the offence being given, the person against whom the offence is so compounded shall be discharged. (5) No offence punishable under the Scheme shall be compounded except under and in accordance with the provisions of this section.]