Section 15. Power to compound offences

(1) The State Government may by notification authorise any officers to accept from any person against whom there is reason to believe that he has committed offence under this Act in respect of any tree other than a tree situate in a forest, grove or public-premises, such sum of money not exceeding 1[1ten thousand rupees] by way of composition for the offence which such person is suspected to have committed. ((2) On the payment of such sum of money to any such officer, the suspected person if in custody, shall be released and no further proceeding under this Act shall be taken against such person and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14, such officer may on payment of such amount, not exceeding 2[2ten thousand rupees] as he may in the circumstances of the case think fit, release the property seized under this Act.