Section 15. Power to compound offence

(1) Any officer not below the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests, may:- (a) accept from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of the offence, payment of a sum of money, not exceeding five hundred rupees or at the discretion of such officer, an undertaking in writing from such person to pay lime sum within a specified period; (b) release any property seized under the powers conferred by this Act on payment of the value thereof as estimated by such officer, or at the discretion of such officer on accepting an undertaking in writing from the person concerned to pay the estimated value within a specified period. (2) On payment of such sum of money or such value or both to such officer, or on acceptance of such sum of money or such officer, or on acceptance of such undertaking or undertakings by such officer, as the case may be, the suspected person, if in custody, shall be discharged, the property, if any , seized shall be released, and no further proceedings in respect of the offence shall be taken against such person: Provided that, any sum payable under any such undertaking if not paid when due, shall be recoverable as an arrear of and revenue.