Section 248. Power to compound offences

248. (1) The Adhyaksha of a 1[Zila Panchayat] or the Pramukh of a 1[Kshettra Panchayat] may either before or after the institution of proceedings, compound an offence against this Act or a rule or bye-law provided that no offence shall be compoundable which is constituted by failure to comply with a written notice issued by the 1[Zila Panchayat] or the 1[Kshettra Panchayat], or on behalf of the 1[Zila Panchayat] or the 1[Kshettra Panchayat], unless and until the notice has been complied with in so far as compliance is possible. (2) When an offence has been compounded the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of the offence so compounded. (3) Sums paid by way of composition under this section shall be credited to the Zila Nidhi or the Kshettra Nidhi, as the case may be.