Section 18. Compounding of offences.

(1) The prescribed Officer may 1* * * after the institution of proceedings for any offence punishable under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 16, accept from any person charged with such offence by way of composition thereof such sum of money as may be prescribed, provided that the sum is paid within the prescribed time. (2) On payment by such person of such sum together with the amount of 2[tax and interest] (if any), due, such person, if in custody, shall be set at liberty, and if any proceedings in any Criminal Court have been instituted against such person in respect of the offence the composition shall be deemed to amount to an acquittal, and no further criminal proceedings shall be taken against such person in respect of such offence.